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Clashes in Southern Iraqi City of Karbala Kill 2 Protesters

Associated Press

   BAGHDAD - Two more Iraqi protesters have been killed in renewed clashes
   in the Shiite holy city of Karbala, a flashpoint in weeks of
   anti-government demonstrations, a protester and a medic said Wednesday.

   They said the two were killed in overnight clashes near the provincial
   headquarters in the city. They spoke on condition of anonymity for fear
   of repercussions.

   Tens of thousands of people have taken to the streets in recent weeks
   in the capital, Baghdad, and across the Shiite south, demanding
   sweeping political change. The protesters complain of widespread
   corruption, a lack of job opportunities and poor basic services, with
   regular power cuts despite the country's vast oil reserves.

   The protesters have focused their anger on Shiite political parties and
   militias, many of which have close ties to Iran . Across the south,
   they have attacked party and militia headquarters, setting some of them
   ablaze.

   In Karbala, protesters attacked the Iranian Consulate earlier this
   week, hurling firebombs over its walls. Security forces killed at least
   three people and wounded several others as they dispersed the protest.
   Days earlier, masked men suspected of links to the security forces
   opened fire on a demonstration in Karbala, killing at least 18 people.
   

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