Iraq: Dead in anti-government protests in Baghdad

In the Iraqi capital Baghdad several people have been killed in new anti-government protests. According to the Iraqi Human Rights Commission, the news agency AFP reports five deaths.

The news agency Reuters, however, reports at least two deaths; she appeals to rescue and security forces. Thus, another 112 people were injured.

In recent days, many demonstrators in Baghdad have been severely injured by police tear gas grenades. Since the beginning of

Almost 240 people were killed at the beginning of the month.

The Iraqi army imposed a nocturnal curfew for the capital on Monday, as thousands of demonstrators continued to occupy Baghdad Tahrir Square. This applies "until further notice" for the time of midnight to 6.00 clock, it said in a statement of the army.

Hadi Mizban / AP

Students and students continued their protests in Baghdad and several cities in the south of the country. The university and school union in Diwanija, 180 kilometers south of Baghdad, called for a ten-day strike until the resignation of Prime Minister Adel Abdel Mahdi's government. Thousands of students and professors followed the call.

Government threatens "severe penalties"

The government had previously warned students and students against participating in the protests. A government spokesman threatened with "heavy punishment" in the event of new protests.

The cause of the protests was originally, in addition to corruption and high unemployment, the poor electricity and water supply in the country. Meanwhile, the protests are increasingly directed against the political and religious elite of the country.