Official Data: 149 Protesters Killed and Nearly 3.5 Thousand Injured in Iraq

During anti-government protests in several regions of Iraq, more than 300 people have been injured. According to reports from Armenpress citing RIA Novosti, participants in the protests are setting state buildings on fire in various cities.

The Iraqi Ministry of Foreign Affairs reported, "Two protesters have been killed, and 337 people have been injured. Seventy-two individuals from law enforcement agencies have also been harmed." Protesters have set fire to the electoral commission building in the city of Samawa, and in the Wasit province, civil defense forces managed to extinguish fires that broke out at the offices of various political parties.

Earlier, Iraq's Shiite spiritual leader Ali al-Sistani urged protesters and security forces to refrain from violence and bloodshed. According to official data, from October 1 to the middle of the month, 149 protesters lost their lives, and approximately 3.5 thousand were injured. Protesters are demanding the resignation of the authorities. Iraqi Prime Minister Adel Abdul Mahdi announced late on October 24 that they are preparing to amend the electoral law.