Death toll rises to 104 amid protests across Iraq

Death toll in protests in Baghdad and other Iraqi cities rose to 104 with more than 6,000 people wounded, including security members, a spokesman for the Ministry of Interior said Sunday.

Iraqi security forces chase anti-government protesters in Baghdad, Iraq, Sunday, October 6, 2019. [Photo: AP/IC]

In a press conference, spokesman for the ministry Saad Maan told reporters that the death toll has risen to 104 people, including eight security members.

A total of 6,107 people were wounded in the violence that accompanied the demonstrations, among them 1,241 security members, Maan said, adding 52 vehicles of civilians and security entities were destroyed in the violent events.

Unidentified gunmen on Sunday attacked offices of local and foreign media establishments, including NRT, Dijlah and the office of Saudi-based al-Arabiya TV and al-Hadath TV, the spokesman said, adding investigations on the attacks are ongoing.

Eight offices of political parties were set ablaze by angry protesters, he confirmed, while two security checkpoints were also burnt.

Protests erupted in the capital Baghdad and several provinces across Iraq starting last Tuesday over unemployment and lack of improvement in public services.