KIRKUK: At least 27 people were killed while about 70 others sustained injuries in clashes which erupted between Iraqi security forces and anti-government protesters in Hawija near Kirkuk on Tuesday, military sources said.
The clashes broke out around 5:00 am when security forces raided an anti-government protest camp in Hawijah town, where demonstrations against the Shia-led government by Sunni Muslims have weekly been held since December last year, they said.
The ministry of defense said in a statement that troops responded after coming under fire from gunmen in the camp, without giving casualty figures. But demonstrators said protesters were unarmed when troops opened fire.
DND
