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The U.N. Assistance Mission for Iraq said it had received credible allegations that protesters were attacked with hunting rifles, stones, and firebombs.
United Nations Secretary-General's Special Representative for Iraq condemned Monday the use of hunting rifles loaded with pellets against peaceful protesters in Baghdad and urged the government to ensure that the protesters are not harmed.
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The U.N. Assistance Mission for Iraq said it had received credible allegations that protesters were attacked with hunting rifles, stones, and firebombs on the nights of Feb. 14-16, resulting in at least 50 injuries.
At least 150 people were injured in Kerbala city in January alone due to similar tactics, UNAMI said in a statement.
"The continuing pattern of excessive use of force, using hard-to-identify armed groups, is a serious security concern that must be urgently and decisively addressed. Peaceful protesters must be protected at all times," U.N. top envoy for Iraq Jeanine Hennis-Plasschaert said.
There was no immediate comment from the Iraqi authorities, however, nine people were injured in Baghdad on Monday during further clashes between protesters and security forces, according to police sources.
Iraq is facing an extraordinary internal crisis, as almost 500 people have died since October in protests demanding the removal of what protesters consider a corrupt ruling elite.
The demonstrators have also been demanding an end to foreign interference, mainly from Iran and the United States.
Meanwhile, Prime Minister-designate Mohammed Tawfiq Allawi said on Saturday that a new government will be formed in the coming week.
Allawi appealed to Iraqis to support him hours after his appointment by President Barham Salih earlier this month, but protesters have already rejected him as a puppet of the political elite.
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