KUT, Iraq, (Reuters) – Three people were killed and dozens wounded in southern Iraq today as protesters demanding better basic services fought with police and set government buildings on fire, hospital and police sources said.
Around 2,000 people took to the streets in the city of Kut, throwing bricks and stones at Iraqi security forces.
Some voiced direct anger at Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki, echoing rallies that have shaken other parts of the Arab world.
“Down, down Maliki’s government. Down, down with corruption. Down, down thieves,” shouted 36-year-old teacher Ali Abdulla, who led a group of protesters and was bleeding from his head after clashing with police.
“We call for change. We will not stay silent anymore.”
A police source in Kut said three protesters were killed in clashes and about 30 wounded, including 15 policemen. A hospital source at Kut’s al-Abbas hospital said it had received around 28 wounded, including 15 policemen.
Protesters wielding sticks stormed the government and provincial council buildings and used burning pieces of cardboard to set fire to curtains in the two buildings.
Witnesses at the scene of the rally said some demonstrators also set the governor’s house ablaze.
“Angry protesters set fire at the reception and first floor of the provincial building and they are preventing firefighters from putting out the fire,” Lieutenant Colonel Aziz al-Amarah, head of the rapid response police force in Wasit province said.
“We have evacuated all government and provincial office employees to protect them and save their lives.”
Police, who were initially unsuccessful in dispersing protesters, later managed to clear the streets by continuously firing shots into the air, police sources said.
“The rapid reaction forces and the national police dispersed the protestors. Fire engines have entered the area to quell the fire in the provincial council and government buildings,” said one police source in Kut. “We have surrounded the entire city. No car is allowed into the city except for emergencies.”
Local authorities had earlier declared an immediate curfew.
