DOZENS OF INJURED AS PROTESTS CONTINUE IN SOUTHERN IRAQ

Sun 28 February 2021:

At least 21 protesters were injured Saturday in demonstrations in the provinces of Zikar and Najaf.

Fifteen demonstrators and six security officers were injured during the rallies in the two provinces as protests continue in Zikar for a sixth straight day because of a lack of public services.

Demonstrators demanded Prime Minister Mustafa Al-Kadhimi appoint a competent governor instead of one who was recently appointed, according to sources.

Southern Iraqi Governor Nazim al-Waili, who was the target of protesters, resigned Friday as a result of the demonstrations when at least three people were killed and 100 were injured.

Demonstrators objected to Al-Kadhimi’s naming Abdul Ghani al-Asadi, the head of the National Security Service, to replace al-Waili.

Security forces intervened while a curfew was implemented during the weekend as part of measures taken against the coronavirus.

Hundreds gathered in Najaf to voice support for demonstrations in Zikar.

Iraq premier urges calm

Iraqi Prime Minister Mustafa Al-Kadhimi called today for calm in the southern Dhi Qar province following days of protests that killed five and injured scores, Anadolu Agency reports.

On Friday, Governor Nazim al-Waili resigned after the demonstrations in the provincial capital Nasiriyah. Abdul Ghani Al-Asadi, the head of the National Security Service, was named as a new governor.

In a statement, Al-Kadhimi’s media office said the appointment of a new governor, the formation of an advisory council and launching an investigation into the deadly protests “mark a major campaign to rebuild the province”.

The Iraqi premier called for calm in the province “to give a sufficient opportunity to the new administration to carry out its tasks in the service of the city’s people”.

Anti-government demonstrations that began in October 2019 to protest unemployment, corruption and a lack of public service in Iraq soon spread to the country’s southern provinces.

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