Four Sadr supporters killed in Iraq's Najaf during anti-corruption mall protest

An anti-corruption protest by supporters of firebrand cleric Moqtada al-Sadr ended in bloodshed on Thursday, after mall security staff opened fire.

MENA

1 min read

The New Arab & agencies

16 May, 2019

Supporters of Sadr were killed in the protest [Getty]

Four protesters have been killed in Iraq, after security guards opened fire on an angry demonstration at a mall in the southern city of Najaf overnight Wednesday.

Hospital and local staff in the southern Iraqi city said four people died after a demonstration turned violent when a mall was burned down overnight, AP reported on Thursday.

Najaf province's security command arrested five mall guards who had shot at the demonstrators, while at least 17 people were wounded and are being treated at the city's Hakim Hospital.

Guards at the Bashir Mall opened fire on a crowd of supporters of populist Shia cleric Muqtada al-Sadr who held a demonstration against his former aide, Kazm al-Issawi, close to the shopping centre.

Sadr had earlier condemned corruption in the country and fired al-Issawi over alleged graft.

Sadr's office said the demonstrators were protesting against corruption, which is rampant in the country.

Huge protests have been held in southern cities and the capital Baghdad against graft and a lack of basic services such as electricity and clean water.

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