Iraqi youth intensify protests at slow pace of government reform program
Baghdad … News Time
Iraqi youths intensify protests at slow pace of government reform program, the tires burned and blocked the roads and threatened further aggression if the demands were not met. According to a report published in the newspaper, these protest rallies began in October last year, with demands for the correctness of the system. But due to the ongoing tension between the US and Iran, it was significantly reduced. Protesters fear that Iraq may be caught in geopolitical tensions, so last Monday the government was given a week to make progress on the promises of reform. One day before the aforementioned deadline, hundreds of youths arrived at the main protest camp at Tiran Square and Tahrir Square in Baghdad on Sunday. They burned tires and closed highways and bridges, forcing cars to return and traffic jammed across the city. Medical and security sources say security forces want to end tear gas shells so protesters responded with stones, resulting in injuries to 10 people, including police officers.
It should be noted that the protesters are demanding a preliminary election based on the reform voting law, so that the new Prime Minister can replace the current caretaker Prime Minister Adil Abdul-Mahdi and hold the officials involved in corruption. It is to be noted that Adil Abdul-Mahdi resigned two months ago but political parties could not agree on his successor’s decision from then on. Therefore, he is the guardian of the government. On the other hand, the names of those who are circulating as their potential successors have been rejected by the protesters. Because they fear that other reform measures will not be implemented at large. In this regard, the protesters said that we have started to intensify the demonstrations from today. Because the government is not responding to our demands, which especially includes demanding that an independent government be formed to protect Iraq.
Meanwhile, in Najaf, young men were carrying Iraqi flags, wrapped in white and black scarves, and burnt tires and sat down on the main road to Baghdad. Be aware that this demonstration, which began on October 1, 2019, is Iraq’s largest and bloodiest protest in decades. So far 4060 people have been killed and 25,000 have been injured.
