Kidnapped Iraqi Protesters Hug Loved Ones Following Their Release

▶️ Eleven Iraqi protesters who were kidnapped four days ago at Baghdad's Tahrir Square arrive to Karbala, Iraq, following their release, Wednesday, December 11.

👉 One of the released protesters, Ali Mohan, cries as he is reunited with his son.

The death toll after armed men attacked anti-government demonstrators in central Baghdad rose to at least 24 last week, officials said.

Attacks on protesters in Iraq continues since Iraqis launched street demonstrations October 1. Protesters have been demanding broad political reforms and a halt to Iran's influence in Iraqi affairs.

The incidents came one week after Prime Minister Adel Abdul-Mahdi said he would resign after two months of anti-government protests.

The U.S. placed sanctions on three Iran-backed Iraqi militia leaders whom Washington accuses of directing the killing of the protesters.

Nearly 450 people have died and about 20,000 others have been wounded since the demonstrations erupted in October in Baghdad and in Shiite-majority areas in southern Iraq. (VOA)