Thousands rally in Iraq for second day, toll rises to 7

A massive crowd leaves Habboubi Square in a memorial march to honor those who lost their lives a year ago, carrying symbolic coffins as they make their way to Zeitun Bridge

NASIRIYAH

Anti-government protesters defied lockdowns and the threat of violence to demonstrate on Saturday in several Iraqi cities, with new clashes with security forces claiming the life of one protester.

Tensions were high in several Iraqi cities, a day after clashes between the dwindling members of the October 2019 anti-government protest movement and supporters of populist Shiite cleric Moqtada Al Sadr.

Followers of the populist cleric also wounded 40 others in the clashes, according to two medical officials.

Sadr had called on his followers to hit the streets in a show of force on Friday, prompting tens of thousands to turn out in the capital Baghdad and other cities.

In the southern hotspot of Nasiriyah, anti-government activists accused the Sadrists of shooting at them and torching their tents in their main gathering place of Habboubi Square late Friday.

Following the clashes beginning on Friday, Sadr’s supporters stormed Haboubi square, and torched tents pitched in the square.