Iraqi security forces killed 149 protesters, most by shots to head, chest - government inquiry
Record ID:
1438057
Iraqi security forces killed 149 protesters, most by shots to head, chest - government inquiry
- Title: Iraqi security forces killed 149 protesters, most by shots to head, chest - government inquiry
- Date: 22nd October 2019
- Summary: BAGHDAD, IRAQ (OCTOBER 1, 2019) (REUTERS) PROTESTERS MOVING BACK AS CLOUD OF TEAR GAS DISPERSES WOUNDED MAN BEING CARRIED AWAY POLICE VEHICLES DRIVING TOWARDS PROTESTERS PROTESTER THROWING STONES AT POLICE VEHICLE PROTESTERS WAVING IRAQI FLAGS AND CHANTING BAGHDAD, IRAQ (OCTOBER 2, 2019) (REUTERS) SECURITY FORCES OPENING FIRE ON PROTESTERS / PROTESTERS RUNNING / TEAR GAS BEING DEPLOYED PROTESTERS RUNNING (AUDIO OF GUNFIRE) AMBULANCE WITH SIDE AND REAR DOORS OPEN DRIVING AWAY PROTESTER CARRYING INJURED PROTESTER AND RUNNING DOWN STREET NAJAF, IRAQ (OCTOBER 2, 2019) (REUTERS) RIOT POLICE FIRING GUN/ ROCKS BEING THROWN AT RIOT POLICE OFFICER PROTESTERS RUNNING CARRYING WITH INJURED PROTESTER BAGHDAD, IRAQ (OCTOBER 2, 2019) (REUTERS) (NIGHT SHOTS) PROTESTERS MARCHING PROTESTERS RUNNING / SOUND OF GUNSHOTS BAGHDAD, IRAQ (OCTOBER 3, 2019) (REUTERS) POLICE FIRING SHOTS TOWARDS PROTESTERS (AUDIO OF GUNFIRE)
- Embargoed: 5th November 2019 14:32
- Keywords: iraq protests protesters gunfire tear gas injured protesters police fire
- Location: BAGHDAD AND NAJAF, IRAQ
- City: BAGHDAD AND NAJAF, IRAQ
- Country: Iraq
- Topics: Conflicts/War/Peace,Civil Unrest
- Reuters ID: LVA001B26HT8N
- Aspect Ratio: 16:9
- Story Text: An Iraqi government committee investigating a wave of unrest found that 149 civilians were killed because security forces used excessive force and live fire to quell protests, according to its report, seen by Reuters.
The report, which said more than 70 percent of the deaths were caused by shots to the head or chest, held senior commanders responsible but stopped short of blaming the prime minister and other top officials, saying there had been no order to shoot.
Protests over high unemployment, poor public services and corruption erupted on October 1 prompting a violent security crackdown. Protesters blame graft and infighting among political leaders for failing to improve their lives even in peacetime, two years after Islamic State was declared defeated in Iraq.
"The committee found that officers and commanders lost control over their forces during the protests (and this) caused chaos," the panel said in its report. "There were no official orders from the supreme authorities to security forces to open fire towards protesters or use live ammunition at all."
Prime Minister Adel Abdul Mahdi, who established the committee, also promised a cabinet reshuffle and reforms including steps to fight graft, and provide government jobs and land to university graduates. Critics said his gestures were vague and appeared unlikely to defuse public anger.
The report recommended that the Baghdad operations commander in charge of the response to the unrest and dozens of other senior security officials be dismissed and put on trial.
(Production: Marissa Davison) - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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