According to reports, clashes between Iraqi security forces and protesters killed 27 people on Tuesday, the deadliest showdown since protesters took to the streets four months ago calling for the premier to resign. High-ranking Iraqi army officers said the demonstration near the northern town of Hawijah was infiltrated by militants but a protest organiser said no one wanted by security forces was present. The clashes mark the worst eruption of violence between security forces and demonstrators who for more than four months have been calling for the resignation of Prime Minister Nouri Al Maliki and decrying the alleged targeting of their community by the authorities. They broke out around 5am (0200 GMT) when security forces entered an open area near Hawijah, west of Kirkuk, where demonstrations have been held since January, said senior army officers, who gave an overall toll of 27 people killed and around 70 wounded. A brigadier general from the Iraqi army division responsible for the area said the operation was aimed at militants from a group known as the Naqshbandiya Army, and that security forces only opened fire after they were fired upon. Security official said two soldiers were also killed and seven wounded in the operation, while the remainder of the casualties were a combination of protesters and militants. Hassan Toran, leader of the provincial council of Kirkuk, where Hawijah is located, said the council condemned “the government forces breaking in to the sit-in and using extreme force, which led to killing and wounding dozens.” 1

• 1. “27 killed in fresh Iraq violence,” Khaleej Times, April 23, 2013, at http://www.khaleejtimes.com/kt-article-display-1.asp?xfile=/data/middlee...