Iraqi journalists 'assassinated' in their car after reporting on anti-government protests in Basra
Iraqi journalist and cameraman are 'assassinated' in their car after reporting on anti-government protests in Basra
- Ahmen Abdel Samad and cameraman Safaa Ghali were shot dead Friday in Basra
- Both had been vocal critics of Iraqi security forces' crackdown on protesters
- They were shot in their car. Samad died at the scene while Ghali died in hospital
- Furious demonstrations were held in Basra on Saturday to mourn their deaths
Ahmen Abdel Samad, a correspondent for Dilja TV, and cameraman Safaa Ghali were 'assassinated' in the southern city of Basra, the US Embassy in Baghdad confirmed
Mourners carry coffins during the funeral for the two assassinated Iraqi journalists in Basra, southern Iraq on Saturday
Mr Samad died at the scene while Mr Ghali later died in hospital.
The US Embassy said it 'strongly denounced the deplorable and cowardly assassination.'
The statement added that it was the Iraqi government's responsibility to uphold 'the right to freedom of expression, protecting journalists, and ensuring that peaceful activists can practice their democratic rights without fear of reprisal.'
Hundreds gathered in the streets to mourn the loss of the journalist and cameraman on Saturday amid angry anti-regime demonstrations which have been going on for months.
Factions within Iraq's security forces, mostly Iran-backed militia, have been accused of killing some 500 protesters since the unrest started, with another 19,000 wounded.
It comes as Iraq's caretaker prime minister, Adel Abdul-Mahdi, asked Washington to set a strategy for American troops withdrawal on Friday.
The US State Department bluntly rejected the request, saying the two sides should instead talk about how to 'recommit' to their partnership.
There are some 5,200 U.S. troops in Iraq assisting and providing training to Iraqi security counterparts to fight IS. An American pullout could deeply set back efforts to crush remnants of the group amid concerns of its resurgence during the political turmoil.
Furious demonstrators take to the streets in Iraq over the killing of the journalists amid anti-government demonstrations
Mourners carry the coffins of the two slain journalists on Saturday amid growing unrest in Iraq
Iraq is highly dependent on Iran sanctions waivers from Washington to continue importing Iranian gas to meet electricity demands, and the U.S. has consistently used this as leverage.
The current waiver expires in February, and without a new one, Iraq could face severe financial penalties.
The demand for a troop withdrawal is not universal among Iraqis. Sunni and Kurdish lawmakers, who oppose the Parliament resolution, see the U.S. presence as a bulwark against domination by the majority Shiites and Iran. Kurdish security forces have benefited from U.S. training and aid.
Protesters criticised the ongoing crisis involving Iraq, the U.S. and Iran in demonstrations across the capital and in the southern provinces.
Thousands massed in Baghdad's Tahrir square, the epicenter of the protest movement, and many chanted 'Damn Iran and America!'
Large demonstrations also were held in Basra, Dhi Qar, Najaf and Diwanieh provinces as the movement seeks to regain momentum after regional tensions overshadowed the uprising.
It was amid the protests in Basra that Mr Samad and Mr Ghali were shot in their car.
