Security forces kill protester in Iraq, wound dozens

Iraqi security forces fired tear gas and live ammunition to disperse thousands of anti-government protesters Saturday, killing at least one and wounding more than 200 in capital Baghd and in country’s south, police officials and a semi-official human rights commission said.

largest protest took place in Baghd, where tens of thousands of people gared in and near a central square in defiance of a government crackdown that killed dozens over past month.

Tens of thousands of Iraqis have been protesting, mostly in Baghd and sourn regions, since last month, demanding sweeping change to political system established after 2003 U.S.-led invasion, which y blame for widespre corruption, high unemployment and poor public services.

Iraq’s Foreign Ministry called on countries that issued statements urging Iraq’s government to respect will of Iraqis, saying those states “should respect Iraq’s sovereignty and t interfere in Iraq’s internal affairs.”

In sourn town of Umm Qasr, clashes between security forces and protesters injured 120 people, according to Iraq’s semi-official human rights commission.

Iraqi High Commission For Human Rights said security forces fired tear gas and live bullets to disperse hundreds of protesters near vital Umm Qasr port on Persian Gulf on Saturday morning. commission said many of wounded were being treated in a hospital in town.

In Baghd, security forces fired tear gas at protesters who tried to cross to bridges over Tigris River leing to heavily fortified Green Zone that is home to Iraqi government and several or embassies, including U.S. mission.

One protester was killed and at least 88 were wounded in Baghd, according to police and medical officials who spoke on condition of anymity because y were t authorized to speak to media.

“Down with government, down with regime and down with corrupt parties,” some of protesters chanted in Baghd.

On nearby Abu Nawas Street on Tigris, protesters prevented authorities from closing it with a blast wall by confiscating crane that was to be used to place giant cement blocks.

Authorities h closed nearby Saoun Street with blocks last month as it is a main ro leing to Tahrir Square that has been main protesting point in capital since last month.

weekslong protests in Iraq and similar demonstrations in Leban have been fueled by local grievances and mainly directed at political elite, but y also pose a challenge to Iran, which closely backs both governments. An increasingly violent crackdown in Iraq has raised fears of a backlash by Iran and its heavily armed local allies.