Dead and wounded in Basra protest

Five protesters were killed and at least 68 more were injured during a second day of clashes with security forces in Iraq’s main southern city Basra.

South Iraq has been witnessing demonstrations for weeks as people finally reacted to the shortages and cuts by the government in electricity supplies, and water.

Hundreds of people gathered at Gelini Square to protest against the death of a young demonstrator killed by security forces.

The youth moved to local government buildings, hurled petrol bombs and stones and attempted to block roads leading to the building for a second night.

Some protesters targeted one of the provincial government buildings and set it alight.

Security forces fired live rounds in the air as well as teargas to try to disperse the crowd, local sources said.

Of the 68 people wounded, 41 are civilians while 27 security forces members.  

As the clashes continued to unfold, Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi convened an emergency cabinet meeting to discuss the unrest and ordered the Interior Ministry to conduct an immediate investigation into the protests