1 dead, 95 hurt in Iraq anti-government protests

One person was killed and 95 others were injured in clashes that occurred between security forces and hundreds of protesters who took to the streets of Iraq on Friday calling for better basic services despite promises made by Prime Minister Adil AbdulMahdi.

Security forces tried to disperse crowds with tear gas, rubber bullets and hot water, according to Ali al Bayati, a member of the governmental Iraqi High Commission for Human Rights.

Hundreds of people took to the streets in Baghdad and other six provinces, where protesters held Iraqi flags and chanted slogans such as "peaceful, peaceful" to make their intentions clear, reports Efe news.

Iraqis resumed rallies that first erupted in early October to call for better basic services and employment and protest corruption.

During Friday's protests, security forces prevented protesters from crossing a bridge that connects Tahrir square with the fortified Green Zone, where government buildings and embassies are.

The protests were expected to gain momentum following the Friday prayers.

AbdulMahdi promised a cabinet reshuffle as of next week in a speech on Thursday night, as protesters began to gather in central Baghdad.

The protests came days after influential Shia cleric Muqtada al-Sadr said that people had the right to take to the streets on 25 October if they wanted.

The Higher Ministerial Committee formed to investigate the death of civil during the rallies that took place in early October revealed in its final report that 157 people, including eight security forces members, were killed during the events.

Allegation of police brutality are widespread.

The committee presided over by Minister of Planning Nuri al-Dulaimi investigated the incidents that took place during the rallies that occurred from October 1-8.

Security forces opened fire against civilian protesters without receiving orders from their superiors, the committee revealed.

( With inputs from IANS )