Death Toll Rises to 7 in Iraq's Nasiriyah Clashes

Death toll from clashes among rival protesters in Iraq's Nasiriyah rose, Saturday, to 7, while 90 others were wounded, according to Sky News.

Clashes took place earlier Friday, between supporters of the anti-government protest movement, which began in October 2019, and supporters of populist Shiite cleric Moqtada Sadr, who called on his supporters to hit the streets in a show of force, ahead of the legislative elections scheduled  next June.

Clashes continued throughout the night in the southern city of Nasiriyah, as the anti-government activists accused Sadr’s supporters of shooting at them, and setting fire to their tents in Al-Haboubi Square.

Authorities removed the city's police chief, and launched an investigation into the incidents, imposing an overnight curfew in Nasiriyah.

Other cities have also taken security measures, as Kut and Amarah in the north, imposing new restrictions regarding the movement.

The incidents sparked widespread anger across Iraq, and the Shiite cleric Ali al-Sistani called for the resignation of former Prime Minister Adel Abdul Mahdi.

Iraqi Prime Minister Mustafa Al-Kadhimi reached out to the protesters, promising to fulfill one of their most important demands, which is holding parliamentary elections in June 2021.