One killed in clashes in western Iraq

At least one person has been killed in clashes in Iraq’s western province of Anbar as security forces were dismantling an anti-government protest site.

The death occurred on Monday in Ramadi, where demonstrators have gathered for more than a year.

Iraqiya state TV reported that “local police are removing the tents from the protest site in Anbar” province following a deal with religious leaders and tribal sheikhs.

The clashes came two days after Iraqi military and security forces detained lawmaker Ahmed al-Alwani at his home in Ramadi on terrorism charges.

Police said Alwani’s guards opened fire on them, prompting an hour-long shootout.

Iraq has been the scene of anti-government demonstrations since December 23, 2012, when bodyguards of Finance Minister Rafie al-Issawi were arrested on terrorism-related charges.

The demonstrators allege that the arrests were made on sectarian grounds and demand an end to anti-terrorism laws. But the government says it is up to parliament to decide on abolishing those laws.

On December 22, Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki warned that the anti-government sit-in site in Anbar province has become a “headquarters” for al-Qaeda, calling on the Iraqi forces to take a “firm stance to end” the sit-in in Ramadi, the largest city in the province.

According to the United Nations, at least 8,000 people have lost their lives in violence-related incidents in Iraq so far this year.

Iraq’s Interior Ministry has said that militants have launched an open war in Iraq and they want to push the Middle Eastern country into chaos.