Demonstrators and local youth have occupied a swath of central Baghdad as part of their efforts to oust the government amid calls for sweeping reform. In recent weeks, protesters and activists have been killed, kidnapped and fired on by masked gunmen, contributing to a climate of paranoia and fear. The killing took place early Thursday after 15-year-old Maitham Ali Ismail, a local resident, reportedly fired a pistol in the air to disperse protesters camped out near his home. Security forces and allied militias have fired on and arrested protesters. Some activists have been targeted for assassination in Baghdad and in Karbala, roughly 75 miles to the south.

Source: Washington Post December 13, 2019 14:48 UTC