Shafaq News / The British Ambassador to Iraq Stephen Hickey expressed his shock at the bloody violence in Najaf city on Thursday, saying that it is one of the government's priorities to protect demonstrators and hold accountable the armed groups outside the law.

8 demonstrators were killed and 100 others were injured during the attack by supporters of the Sadrist movement, Muqtada Al-Sadr, known as "Blue Hats", against protesters who were protesting in Sadrin Square in Najaf city on Wednesday.

Sadr's supporters fired live bullets , used white weapons and batons to break up the sit-in in Najaf, informed sources told Shafaq News.

"I was shocked by the use of violence against peaceful demonstrators yesterday in Najaf," Hickey Twitted.

He added, "One of the necessary priorities for the current government and the next government is to end the ongoing violence, protect peaceful demonstrators, and hold perpetrators accountable including armed groups outside the law."

The events in Najaf were part of a wider campaign launched by Sadr's followers since Sunday to break up protests in Baghdad and the central and southern governorates.

This move came after Sadr ordered them to work with the security forces to remove those he called "saboteurs" , reopen roads and institutions.

Likewise, attempts to end the protests come after the demonstrators refused to assign Mohamed Tawfiq Allawi to form the next government, while the latter has the support of al-Sadr.

Hundreds have been killed and tens of thousands of demonstrators were injured since the start of unprecedented protests against the government and ruling parties early October.