The death toll rose to 8 on Wednesday after security forces fired on protesters in Basra in the ongoing demonstrations due to the lack of poor public service, unemployment, and corruption.

In a written statement, Mahdi Al-Tamimi, President of the Basra Human Rights Commissariat, said yesterday that one more killed and 25 other people injured by the fire of security forces during the demonstrations held in Iraq's Basra.

A group of demonstrators crossed the circle of security forces in Basra and had set fire to the municipal building on Wednesday evening.

Demonstrators also burned the governorship building 2 days ago in Basra. During the protests, 7 demonstrators lost their lives and over 40 people were injured by the fire of security forces. Basra Operations Command declared the curfew in the city after the rise of clashes.

Muqtada al-Sadr calls for "urgent parliament session"

In a televised speech on Thursday, the winner of the general elections Muqtada al-Sadr has called for an urgent parliamentary session to discuss the situation in the southern city of Basra, where protests against poor public services, unemployment, and corruption have turned violent.

Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi, along with the ministers of interior, health, housing, water resources, and electricity, must all attend along with officials from Basra province, or resign, Sadr said.

Asking Hash al-Shabi, armed forces and political parties not to involve in the events in Basra, Sadr said, "We may have steps to undermine those who are corrupt in Basra."

"While there was no water, and services in Basra, some of the officials were hounded by the great government coalition," Sadr said that the prime minister should seek for an agreement with neighboring countries on water. (ILKHA)