Emeute à Kut : trois morts – 16 février 2011

Three reported dead in Iraqi protests

Los Angeles Times

By Raheem Salman,

February 17, 2011

Three people were reported killed and dozens wounded during a demonstration in the southeastern city of Kut after protesters set fire to several government buildings as the country was roiled by demonstrations for the second time in three days.

The protest in Kut, capital of Wasit province, was the latest demonstration in Iraq inspired by the popular uprisings in Tunisia and Egypt that ousted longtime Arab heads of state.

Iraqis, fed up of a lack of basic services and angry with their politicians, attacked the governor’s office, his residence and the provincial council building, said Kadhim Saiyadi, a Kut lawmaker with Shiite Muslim cleric Muqtada Sadr‘s movement.

Saiyadi said the protesters had divided into three groups and attacked the three sites. Read more…

Iraqi Protesters Clash with Security Forces in Kut, 3 Killed

waronterrornews.typepad.com

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 17, 2011

16 February 2011 VOA News Hundreds of Iraqis have stormed provincial government buildings in the eastern city of Kut in a protest against the poor quality of public services, triggering clashes with security forces that killed at least three people.

More than 2,000 people joined the protest Wednesday, calling for the ouster of corrupt officials in Wasit province, of which Kut is the capital. Some protesters threw stones and set fires outside government offices in the city, while others stormed into the buildings.

About 30 people were wounded. Local authorities declared an evening curfew in Kut as a result of the unrest.

Iraqis have staged small-scale protests in various cities in recent days, demanding better electricity and improvements in other services. The demonstrations coincide with anti-government protests in other parts of the Arab world, including uprisings that ousted the autocratic leaders of Egypt and Tunisia in recent weeks. Read more…