US condemns 'abhorrent' protester killings in Iraq

The United States on Monday condemned the "shocking and abhorrent" excessive use of force over the weekend against demonstrators in the southern Iraqi city of Nasiriyah, and called for an investigation into abuses against protesters, according to Fox News.

"We call on the Government of Iraq to respect the rights of the Iraqi people, and urge the government to investigate and hold accountable those who attempt to brutally silence peaceful protesters," US Assistant Secretary for Near Eastern Affairs, David Schenker, said in a statement.

At least 29 people died in the city of Nassiriya when troops opened fire on demonstrators who blocked a bridge before dawn on Thursday and later gathered outside a police station. Police and medical sources said dozens of others were wounded.

Nearly 400 Iraqi people have been killed and thousands injured since protests erupted in October, while more than a dozen of security forces officers have also been killed in clashes with protesters.