Iraqi officials said three protesters have been killed and 25 wounded amid ongoing clashes with security forces near a strategic bridge in Baghdad.
According to security and hospital sources three people were killed Friday on Baghdad’s Rasheed Street in clashes with security forces.
Two protesters died because of tear gas, and one due to live rounds fired by security forces.
The officials requested anonymity in line with regulations, the Associated Press reported.
The clashes come hours after some of the most violent clashes between anti-government protesters and security forces in recent days.
At least 10 protesters were killed Thursday in clashes on the same street, which is very close to Ahrar Bridge.
Protesters occupy several Baghdad squares and parts of three bridges in a standoff with security forces.
The bridges lead to the heavily fortified Green Zone, the seat of Iraq’s government.
Meanwhile, Iraq's top Shiite Muslim cleric, Ali al-Sistani, called on Friday for politicians to hurry up in reforming electoral laws because the changes would be the only way to resolve weeks of deadly unrest.
"We affirm the importance of speeding up the passing of the electoral law and the electoral commission law because this represents the country moving past the big crisis," his representative said, Reuters reported.
