Iraq’s Abadi orders probe into death of Basra protester

The Iraqi Regime’s Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi ordered on Tuesday (September 4) an investigation into the death of a protester who died in clashes with security forces a day before in the southern city of Basra.

The protester, Yasser Makki, died in hospital after attending demonstrations over the regime’s services and corruption, local health and security sources said.

"Our orders are clear in banning the firing of live ammunition directly on people," Abadi said in his weekly news conference.

Iraqi local media said the number of the protesters killed by security forces since Monday night has risen to five, one by live ammunition and four by tear gas canisters.  

The local head of Iraq’s Human Rights Commission, Mahdi al-Tamimi, had earlier called for an investigation into Makki’s death.

Protesters are angry over electricity outages during the hot Iraqi summer, a lack of jobs and proper government services and entrenched corruption.