Renewed protests challenge Iraqi government as death toll rises

BAGHDAD/BASRA - Iraqi Prime Minister Adil Abd al-Mahdi’s year-old government hung on to power Friday, as mass protests over corruption, unemployment, and poor services — and a heavy-handed government response to recent demonstrations — brought parts of Baghdad and southern Iraq to a standstill.

The Iraq Human Rights Commission said late Friday that at least 30 people were killed and 1,800 injured in Friday’s protests; between protesters and security forces, well over 100 people have been killed and thousands injured since demonstrators began nearly four weeks ago, including many calling for the end of the current governing structure in Iraq.