Thirteen anti-government protesters were killed on Sunday by Iraqi security forces in one of the “worst” days of clashes in the country’s south, as protests swept through the oil-rich area.
Demonstrators are outraged by rampant government corruption and poor services and showed their anger by burning tires and blocking main-road arteries.
Security forces used live fire and tear gas to disperse the protesters.
At least 342 people have died since demonstrations began on October 1, when thousands of Iraqis, mostly youth, took to the streets to decry corruption and poor services. The leaderless uprising seeks to overthrow the political establishment.