Iraq sacks 7 army commanders amid deadly protests - report

The Iraqi government has sacked as much as 7 army commanders of different provinces after deadly protests in the country, according to AFP. The news about sacking comes right after an Iraqi government committee report said that the death toll in Iraq is updated to 157. Around 70 percent of the deaths were caused by bullet wounds "to the head or chest", according to the findings, published as Iraq braces for fresh protests on Friday.

The report held senior commanders responsible for the deaths but stopped short of blaming the prime minister and other top officials, saying there had been no order to shoot.

#BREAKING Army commanders of seven Iraq provinces sacked after demos: official pic.twitter.com/pg1Tpjjpw4

— AFP news agency (@AFP) October 22, 2019

Iraq has been hit by violent protests that started due to public rage over chronic shortages of jobs, electricity and clean water. Iraqis blame politicians and officials for systemic corruption that has prevented Iraq from recovering after years of sectarian violence and devastating war to defeat Islamic State.