- Title: Funerals held after deadly protests spread across Iraq
- Date: 4th October 2019
- Summary: NAJAF, IRAQ (OCTOBER 4, 2019) (REUTERS) FAMILIES STANDING WITH COFFIN ON TRUCK VARIOUS OF FAMILIES WALKING IN FUNERAL PROCESSION OF KILLED PROTESTER COFFIN DRAPED WITH IRAQI FLAG FAMILY CARRYING COFFIN AND CHANTING FAMILIES WALKING ALONGSIDE COFFIN AND CHANTING FAMILIES CARRYING COFFIN COFFIN MOVING IN VEHICLE, FAMILY MEMBERS WALKING ALONGSIDE COFFIN ON ROOF OF VEHICLE (SOUNDBITE) (Arabic) BROTHER OF DECEASED PROTESTER, MOHAMED MOHAMED, SAYING: "He was only asking for his rights. All he said was 'Allah Akbar'. These were peaceful protests and they killed him. They will kill more and more." COFFIN ON VEHICLE'S ROOF VEHICLE LEAVING WITH COFFIN ON ROOF, GROUP OF MEN WALKING BY CARRYING ANOTHER COFFIN
- Embargoed: 18th October 2019 17:28
- Keywords: Iraq unrest Iraq protests dozens killed in Iraq uprising funerals of Iraqi protesters Adel Abdul Mahdi political reform
- Location: NAJAF, IRAQ
- City: NAJAF, IRAQ
- Country: Iraq
- Topics: Conflicts/War/Peace,Civil Unrest
- Reuters ID: LVA001AZOMD6V
- Aspect Ratio: 16:9
- Story Text: Two protesters killed in Diwaneya province were buried in the Shi'ite holy city of Najaf in Iraq on Friday (October 4), after taking part in protests that have spread throughout the country.
Family members mourning their loved ones criticized authorities, saying that the protests were peaceful and warned that more would be killed.
The death toll from days of violent demonstrations across Iraq surged to 44 on Friday, most of them killed in the last 24 hours, as unrest rapidly accelerated across the country despite a plea from the prime minister for calm.
In an overnight TV address, Prime Minister Adel Abdul Mahdi said he understood the frustration of the public but there was no "magic solution" to Iraq's problems. He made reform pledges, but these drew a scornful response from demonstrators.
The unrest, fuelled by popular rage over poor living standards and corruption, is Iraq's biggest security challenge since the defeat of Islamic State in 2017. It is also the first test for Abdul Mahdi, installed last year by Shi'ite parties that have dominated Iraq since the 2003 fall of Saddam Hussein.
(Production: Ahmed Saeed, Mostafa Salem, Louisa Naks) - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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