The Latest: Officials say 7 demonstrators killed in Iraq

BAGHDAD (AP) — The Latest on anti-government protests in Iraq (all times local):

9 p.m.

Iraqi officials say seven anti-government demonstrators have been killed in ongoing protests in the capital Baghdad and 17 wounded.

A medical official in a local hospital and a security official said the seven were killed on Sunday in Sadr City, where hundreds have gathered trying to break through a security cordon to head to the city center. The officials didn't provide details. They spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to speak to reporters.

Security forces had sealed off Tahrir Square and heavily deployed all the way to Sadr City, about 4 kilometers (2.5 miles) away to keep protesters back.

Earlier, an Associated Press reporter on the scene saw soldiers firing in the direction of protesters to push them back. There were scuffles as protesters tried to break through the cordon and burned tires.

Iraq has been beset by protests since Tuesday.

— By Qassim Abdul-Zahra.

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8:05 p.m.

An Iraqi Interior Ministry spokesman says an investigation is underway to determine the source of live fire that killed many of the more than 100 people who have died during six days of unrest in the country.

Spokesman Saad Maan claimed Sunday that local security forces did not clash with protesters. He said at a press conference that "malicious hands" were targeting protesters and security forces as well on Friday, the bloodiest day of the unrest in Baghdad.

At the time, protests were broken up as security forces fired live ammunition at the anti-government rallies.

Protesters and journalists at the scene of the protests say they witnessed security forces firing on demonstrators and some protesters say snipers were taking part in breaking up the protests. Maad said most...