ICRC Expresses Concern Over Increasing Violent Clashes in Iraq

The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) on Saturday expressed concern about the increasingly violent clashes between protests and security forces throughout Iraq.

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Civilian casualties, the number of injuries in demonstrations across Iraq and the use of firearms to restore public order are "matters of concern," the commission said in a statement today.

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"The use of force is an exceptional measure that must be commensurate with the current situation," said Katarina Ritz, head of the ICRC delegation in Iraq.

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"The security forces may only use firearms and live ammunition when necessary, to protect against an imminent threat to life," Ritz said.

It called, everyone to "restraint." The Committee continues to monitor developments on the ground.

"ICRC teams are also in contact with the health authorities, and have delivered medical supplies to Sheikh Zayed Hospital in central Baghdad to treat at least 100 wounded."

Protests have escalated in the past two days, bringing the death toll to at least 100 and about 2,000 wounded.

There have been protests in Iraq since Tuesday, starting from Baghdad, demanding better public services, job creation, and fighting corruption, before spreading to southern provinces with a majority Shi'ite population.

The demonstrators called for the resignation of Prime Minister Adel Abdul-Mahdi after the security forces resorted to violence to contain the protests.

Protesters accuse security forces of firing at them, while the latter denies this and says that "unidentified snipers" are shooting at protesters and security personnel alike to create strife.

The government has been unable to rein in mounting protests, as protesters defied a government curfew on Thursday and Friday.

For years, Iraqis have been protesting poor basic public services such as electricity, health, and water, as well as unemployment and corruption, in one of the world's most corrupt countries, according to the Transparency International index over the past years.