2 Iraqis killed in ongoing Baghdad protests

BAGHDAD, Iraq

An Iraqi security source said clashes between protesters and security forces on Thursday in central Baghdad killed two people and wounded 42.

The protest took place in the Khilani area near Tahrir Square in Baghdad which has witnessed protests over the past weeks.

The security source, who spoke to Anadolu Agency on condition of anonymity, said that "the riot police used tear gas in their attempt to disperse the protesters".

"One tear gas canister hit a protester in his head and caused his death while the other protester died in the hospital after he succumbed to his injuries," the source added.

Since early October, Iraq witnesses mass popular protests against the Iraqi government policies which, according to protesters, failed to address the poor living conditions of Iraqis and failed to end corruption. The demands later developed into demands of dissolving Adel Abdul-Mahdi's government.

According to the Iraq's High Commission for Human Rights, at least 325 Iraqis have been killed and around 15,000 have been injured since the protests began on Oct. 1.

* Ahmed Asmar contributed to this report from Ankara

BAGHDAD, Iraq

An Iraqi security source said clashes between protesters and security forces on Thursday in central Baghdad killed two people and wounded 42.

The protest took place in the Khilani area near Tahrir Square in Baghdad which has witnessed protests over the past weeks.

The security source, who spoke to Anadolu Agency on condition of anonymity, said that "the riot police used tear gas in their attempt to disperse the protesters".

"One tear gas canister hit a protester in his head and caused his death while the other protester died in the hospital after he succumbed to his injuries," the source added.

According to the Iraq's High Commission for Human Rights, at least 325 Iraqis have been killed and around 15,000 have been injured since the protests began on Oct. 1.

* Ahmed Asmar contributed to this report from Ankara