Protester killed in Iraq's capital

An Iraqi demonstrator was killed in clashes between anti-government protesters and security forces in Baghdad, Iraqi Independent High Commission for Human Rights (IHCHR) said on Tuesday.

The clashes in al-Khalani Square in downtown Baghdad prompted the security forces to use tear gas canisters and fired bullets in the air to disperse the protesters, leaving a protester killed and 15 others wounded, Ali al-Baiyati, an IHCHR member, told Xinhua.

Meanwhile, the Baghdad Operations Command, responsible for the security of Baghdad, said in a statement that 19 security members and three officers were wounded in the clashes.

Mass anti-government demonstrations have been continuing in Baghdad and other cities in central and southern Iraq since October 2019, demanding comprehensive reform, fight against corruption, better public services and more job opportunities.

According to IHCHR, the nationwide anti-government protests over the past four months has caused the death of 544, with 23,700 others wounded.