05 Nov 2019 | 03:15 PM UTC

Iraq: At least five killed overnight amid protests in Um Qasr, Shatrah November 5 /update 40

At least five protesters killed by live rounds overnight amid protests in Um Qasr and Shatrah November 5; associated disruptions and further clashes between security forces and protesters expected

TIMEFRAME expected from 11/5/2019, 12:00 AM until 11/7/2019, 11:59 PM (Asia/Baghdad). COUNTRY/REGION Baghdad, Iraq, Umm Qasr, Shatrah

Read all related news alert(s):

12 Nov 11:46 AM UTC —

Iraq: Fresh nationwide protests reported November 12 /update 47

10 Nov 07:21 AM UTC —

Iraq: Internet service partially restored in Baghdad November 10 /update 46

09 Nov 05:18 PM UTC —

Iraq: Security forces kill at least four in Baghdad as protests continue November 9 /update 45

08 Nov 03:34 PM UTC —

Iraq: Protests continue in Baghdad November 8 /update 44

08 Nov 03:01 AM UTC —

Iraq: Death toll rises from nationwide protests on November 7 /update 43

07 Nov 01:10 PM UTC —

Iraq: At least four killed amid protests in Baghdad November 7 /update 42

06 Nov 01:17 PM UTC —

Iraq: Security forces open fire at protesters in Baghdad November 6 /update 41

05 Nov 12:23 AM UTC —

Iraq: Internet service blocked nationwide November 5 /update 39

04 Nov 03:22 PM UTC —

Iraq: Police open fire on protesters in Baghdad November 4 /update 38

04 Nov 07:26 AM UTC —

Iraq: Protests continue in Baghdad November 4 /update 37

03 Nov 07:09 AM UTC —

Iraq: Traffic disruptions due to protests in Baghdad November 3 /update 36

02 Nov 07:04 PM UTC —

Iraq: Over 200 wounded amid nationwide protests November 2 /update 35

01 Nov 03:04 PM UTC —

Iraq: At least 50 wounded overnight amid protests in Baghdad November 1 /update 34

31 Oct 03:58 PM UTC —

Iraq: Prime Minister Adil Abdul-Mahdi to resign October 31 /update 33

30 Oct 06:39 PM UTC —

Iraq: Further nationwide protests reported October 30 /update 32

29 Oct 05:23 PM UTC —

Iraq: Nationwide protests continue October 29 despite curfew /update 31

28 Oct 04:36 PM UTC —

Iraq: Nightly curfew imposed in Baghdad as protests continue October 28 /update 30

28 Oct 10:43 AM UTC —

Iraq: Further nationwide protests reported October 28 /update 29

27 Oct 07:53 PM UTC —

Iraq: Violent clashes in Baghdad leave 42 wounded October 27 /update 28

26 Oct 03:02 PM UTC —

Iraq: Two dead amid clashes in Nasiriyah October 26 /update 27

26 Oct 07:23 AM UTC —

Iraq: Death toll rises from nationwide protests October 25 /update 26

25 Oct 09:32 PM UTC —

Iraq: Security forces, AAH militia kill 25 in nationwide protests October 25 /update 25

25 Oct 03:40 PM UTC —

Iraq: At least three dead in Nasiriyah amid ongoing nationwide protests October 25 /update 24

25 Oct 09:31 AM UTC —

Iraq: Two dead amid ongoing protests in Baghdad October 25 /update 23

25 Oct 09:31 AM UTC —

Iraq: Protesters gather in Baghdad ahead of planned demonstrations October 24-25 /update 22

24 Oct 08:34 PM UTC —

Iraq: Protesters gather in Baghdad ahead of planned demonstrations October 24-25 /update 21

22 Oct 05:33 AM UTC —

Iraq: Increased security measures in Baghdad ahead of demonstrations October 21-25 /update 20

17 Oct 09:37 AM UTC —

Iraq: Telecommunications partially restored ahead of nationwide October 25 protest /update 19

15 Oct 05:03 PM UTC —

Iraq: Nationwide protests planned October 25 /update 18

11 Oct 09:53 AM UTC —

Iraq: Further nationwide protests planned October 11 /update 17

10 Oct 07:20 AM UTC —

Iraq: Nightly internet restrictions reportedly ongoing as of October 10 /update 16

09 Oct 09:13 AM UTC —

Iraq: Access to social media platforms disrupted October 9 /update 15

08 Oct 01:52 PM UTC —

Iraq: Authorities reopen Baghdad’s Green Zone October 8 /update 14

07 Oct 12:04 PM UTC —

Iraq: Violent protest reported in Sadr City October 6 /update 13

05 Oct 09:03 PM UTC —

Iraq: Gunmen attack media stations in Baghdad amid deadly protests, clashes October 5 /update 12

05 Oct 02:24 PM UTC —

Iraq: Curfew lifted in Baghdad as death toll rises to 72 October 5 /update 11

04 Oct 09:34 PM UTC —

Iraq: Muqtada al-Sadr calls for government to resign after protest death toll rises to 65 October 4 /update 10

04 Oct 05:17 PM UTC —

Iraq: Unidentified snipers reportedly kill four in Baghdad amid protests October 4 /update 9

04 Oct 07:34 AM UTC —

Iraq: Police forcibly disperse protest in Baghdad October 4 /update 8

04 Oct 06:55 AM UTC —

Iraq: Internet disruptions continue amid protests October 4 /update 7

03 Oct 08:00 AM UTC —

Iraq: Violent protest reported in Baghdad October 3 /update 6

03 Oct 06:04 AM UTC —

Iraq: Curfew and internet disruptions in Baghdad October 3 /update 5

02 Oct 08:20 PM UTC —

Iraq: Curfew imposed in southern cities after deadly clashes October 2 /update 4

02 Oct 04:28 PM UTC —

Iraq: Police forcibly disperse protests in Baghdad October 2 /update 3

02 Oct 10:57 AM UTC —

Iraq: Further violent protests reported in Baghdad October 2 /update 2

01 Oct 02:36 PM UTC —

Iraq: Police forcibly disperse rally in Baghdad October 1 /update 1

30 Sep 12:16 PM UTC —

Iraq: Activists call for protest in Baghdad October 1

Event

At least five people were shot dead by security forces overnight between Monday, November 4, and Tuesday, November 5, as protests continue across Iraq.

Two people were killed and at least 23 others wounded in clashes in the southern town of Shatrah. Security forces opened fire on a mob of protesters attempting to break into the house of a senior government official.

Live rounds were reportedly used in the port city of Um Qasr as well, where demonstrators have staged a sit-in since Wednesday, October 30. At least two people were killed and dozens of others wounded after police forcibly dispersed the protesters in an attempt to reopen the port. Clashes continued into the morning (local time) of Tuesday during a funeral procession for a slain demonstrator. Some protesters reportedly hurled stones at security forces, who responded with live fire. At least one additional person was killed.

Internet access remains cut off to most parts of Iraq as of Tuesday evening. According to media reports, internet service disruptions are ongoing in Baghdad, Basra, Karbala, and other major population centers. It is unclear how long the restrictions will remain in place.

Heightened security measures and disruptions to transportation and business are to be expected in Baghdad and other major urban centers over the coming days as protests and the nightly curfew continues. Disruptions to internet and telecommunications services are also expected to continue amid the unrest. Clashes between protesters and security forces are likely around protest sites.

Context

Demonstrations broke out on October 1 to protest perceived government corruption, inadequate provision of public services, and a lack of job opportunities. Following weeks of relative calm, demonstrations violently resumed on October 24-25, coinciding with the deadline issued by Grand Ayatollah Sistani to the government to produce a report on who in the Iraqi Security Forces (ISF) was responsible for firing at civilians during previous demonstrations. At least 260 people have been killed and 10,000 wounded since protests began. On October 31, President Barham Saleh announced that Prime Minister Adil Abdul-Mahdi agreed to resign if the Iraqi parliament's party blocs can agree on a replacement.

Advice

Individuals in Baghdad and across Iraq are advised to closely monitor the situation, avoid all protests and large public gatherings due to potential violence, prepare for disruptions to transportation and business in areas affected by anti-government demonstrations, and adhere to all instructions issued by the local authorities and their home governments.

The security environment in Iraq remains complex. Although travel is possible in some areas with proper security protocols in place, other areas should be considered strictly off-limits. Professional security advice and support should be sought prior to all travel.

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