Death of Iraqi protesters ushers in further uncertainty

The death of a number of protesters at the hands of Iraqi security forces on 25 January has elicited a furious response. Meanwhile, parliament's 26 January decision to prevent Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki from standing for a third term in office will likely be challenged.

A protest in the town of Fallujah, Anbar province, in western Iraq descended into carnage on 25 January after Iraqi troops opened fire on demonstrators. At least seven protesters were killed, marking the first casualties in more than a month of anti-government protests held primarily by Iraqi Sunnis. The mayor of Fallujah, Adnan Hussein, told local media on 26 January that the troops opened fire after "infiltrators" at the demonstrations instigated clashes with soldiers. Security officials claim that the troops had opened fire after protesters began throwing rocks at them.