US issues sanctions after 12 killed in Baghdad square protest in shooting by unknown assailants
6:41am Dec 7, 2019
Iraqi officials say 12 people have been killed in Baghdad's Khilani Square after unknown assailants fired live ammunition from cars. Security and medical officials say at least two of the dead were policemen.
Protesters fearing for their lives ran from the plaza to nearby Tahrir Square and mosques to take cover. Protesters are occupying part of Jumhuriya, Sinak and Ahar bridges in a standoff with security forces.
All bridges lead to or near the heavily-fortified Green Zone, the seat of Iraq's government.
Iraqi officials say 12 people have been killed in Baghdad's Khilani Square after unknown assailants fired live ammunition from cars. Security and medical officials say at least two of the dead were policeman. (EPA)
The attacks come one day after a string of suspicious stabbing incidents left at least 13 wounded in Baghdad's Tahrir Square, the epicentre of Iraq's leaderless protest movement.
The attacks by unknown perpetrators occurred as demonstrators supporting political parties and Iran-backed militias withdrew from the Square on Thursday evening.
The incidents fuelled paranoia among protesters, who immediately implemented self-security measures to uncover saboteurs within the square.
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The US has meanwhile announced sanctions Friday (local time) on the Iraqi leaders of three Iran-backed militias for killing dozens of innocent civilians who were protesting economic conditions and foreign interference in their country.
The State Department's senior official on Middle East affairs condemned Iran's interference in Iraqi affairs as he announced the sanctions. Assistant Secretary of State David Schenker also decried what he described as Tehran's increasing aggression in response to the Trump administration's maximum pressure campaign.
"Iraqis have played a step and bloody price" because of the Iranian regime's involvement in the country, Mr Schenker said.
The Treasury Department designated Qais al-Khazali, Laith al-Khazali, and Husayn Falih 'Aziz al-Lami for their involvement in serious human rights abuses and a fourth person, Iraqi millionaire businessman Khamis Farhan al-Khanjar al-Issawi, for bribing government officials and engaging in corruption at the expense of the Iraqi people.
Why protests are continuing
Earlier, thousands of anti-government protesters from across southern Iraq joined demonstrators in the Square.
Iraq's highest Shiite religious authority also called for the formation of a new government within the allotted deadline, and without foreign interference, as the clock ticks down on lawmakers to select a new premier following the resignation of Prime Minister Adel Abdul-Mahdi last week.
Protesters fearing for their lives ran from the plaza to nearby Tahrir Square and mosques to take cover. Protesters are occupying part of Jumhuriya, Sinak and Ahar bridges in a standoff with security forces. (EPA)
"We hope the head of the new government and its members are chosen within the constitutional deadline and according to the aspirations of the people and away from outside influence," the Grand Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani said in his weekly sermon Friday (local time) in the holy city of Najaf. The sermon is always delivered by a representative.
He added that the Shiite religious establishment would not take part in the government formation process.
At least 400 people have died since the leaderless uprising shook Iraq on October 1, with thousands of Iraqis taking to the streets in Baghdad and the predominantly Shiite southern Iraq decrying corruption, poor services, lack of jobs and calling for an end to the political system that was imposed after the 2003 US invasion.
Security forces dispersed crowds with live fire, tear gas and sonic bombs, leading to fatalities. Pressure from the protests, now in its third month, lead to the resignation of Abdul-Mahdi last week following al-Sistani calling for parliament to withdraw its support for his government.