Alwaght- Iraqi Officials imposed a curfew in Basra on Tuesday night after at least 5 protestors have been killed and 30 injured during a second night of clashes with security forces in the southern city.
Hundreds of people gathered at local government buildings in the city and hurled petrol bombs and stones while attempting to block roads leading to the building.
Some protesters stormed one of the provincial government buildings and set it alight. It was some of the worst unrest reported during months of protests sweeping the long-neglected south, heartland of Iraq's Shia Muslim majority.
Security forces fired live rounds in the air as well as tear gas to try and disperse the crowd, local sources said. Twenty-two members of the security forces were also wounded, some by a hand grenade, the sources said.
The government buildings in Basra have been the target of demonstrators who are demanding better public services and an end to corruption.
Muqtada al-Sadr, an outspoken Shiite cleric who leads the top list in Iraq’s parliamentary election, warned, “I advise you not to test our patience,” in a tweet directed at the government.
“We feel sad to see a tragedy in our oppressed Basra. What angered me is the unjust infringement by some members of … security forces against unarmed protesters who do not want anything but to live with dignity and so that efforts are made to rid Basra from corruption, sectarianism and militias,” he added.
“Basra is our might and pride, and it is the heart of Iraq,” added Sadr.
