The Prime Minister of Republic of Iraq – Adel Abdul Mahdi has said that he is open for a dialogue with the representatives of anti-Government protests
The Prime Minister of Republic of Iraq – Adel Abdul Mahdi has said that he is open for a dialogue with the representatives of anti-Government protests, after 3 continuous days of mass civic unrest across the country.
The announcement came as more than 4,000 protesters who had gathered at Tayaran Square started heading to Central Tahrir Square. The Tahrir Square, also known as Liberation Square, gains significance as Nasb al-Hurriyah is located there, a monument which commemorates the 1958 establishment of the Republic of Iraq.
The people had gathered despite a government-enforced curfew in Baghdad. On their way, they were dealt with open fire and tear gas. Separately, police have also used live ammunition in the Zafaraniya District of Baghdad. The North-western District of Shula also witnessed protests. Curfew has also been imposed in cities of Nasiriya, Amara, Najaf and Hilla. Till now, 34 people have been killed with more than 1518 injured.
In a televised speech, the Iraq PM assured the people of increased employment opportunities, comprehensive reforms and fighting against corruption. He also proposed to increase the basic wages for the poor.
Asking the people to respect law, he said, “Everyone should respect the rule of law by which everyone can live in security and stability.”
In addition, he also tried to reach out to people through Facebook, where he wrote, “It saddens me and breaks our hearts the injuries among the protesters, our sons, and the security forces and the destruction and looting of public and private properties.”
He further posted, “We stress to the people of our nation that our priorities were and will remain focused on providing radical realistic solutions to many of the decades-long accumulated problems.”
However, it is to be noted that Government had earlier blocked 75% of the internet connectivity across the country. By late Thursday evening, up to 60% of internet connectivity had been restored.
The ongoing protests started in Iraq on October 1, 2019 when people took to streets to express their anger against the Government regarding the of increasing unemployment, Government corruption and lack of basic services in the country. According to International Monetary Fund (IMF), Iraq has the world’s 4th largest reserves of oil. Despite that, much of its population of 40 million lives in poverty with no access to healthcare, education, power and water supply.
The Spokesperson for U.S. led coalition against ISIS, which has its headquarters in the Green Zone, Baghdad, has asked the Government as well as protestors to deescalate the issue.
The Spokesperson for the Coalition – Col. Myles B. Caggins III tweeted, “The loss of life and injuries — among civilians and Iraqi Security Forces — is deeply concerning. We believe peaceful, public rallies are a fundamental element of all democracies; there is no place for violence.”
Protest Statement: The @CJTFOIR calls on all sides to reduce tensions. The loss of life and injuries—among civilians and Iraqi Security Forces—is deeply concerning. We believe peaceful, public rallies are a fundamental element of all democracies; there is no place for violence.
— OIR Spokesman Col. Myles B. Caggins III (@OIRSpox) October 3, 2019
The United Nations (U.N.) has urged the Government to exercise restraint and to allow peaceful protests. The United Kingdom (U.K.) and the European Union (EU) have also joined U.N. in asking Iraq to restore peace in the region.
Separately, taking into account the safety of its people, the Ministry of Bahrain Foreign Affairs for the kingdom of Bahrain has asked its citizens living in Iraq to immediately leave the country for their own security.
