Over 100 Dead In Iraq Anti-government Protests

Despite having declared victory over ISIS in 2017, Iraq is experiencing its worst violence since the war in the form of security forces cracking down on anti-government protests.

With its infrastructure is still wrecked from wars with ISIS and with the US, Iraq’s economy is struggling despite record oil output. Last week, thousands of people turned out to protests over unemployment and corruption.

Security forces attacked protestors with tear gas and live rounds, leading to more than 100 people being killed and more than 6,000 injured.

The Iraqi government is now trying to do damage control by lifting a curfew that many had previously ignored and rolling out a series of promises including subsidized housing and land for the poor as well as unemployment benefits, job opportunities, and job-training programs.

The government is also promising to provide compensation to the families of those killed in the protests.

However, with the government having yet to restore internet access after shutting it off for most of the country, many are skeptical as to their proposals.

Religious authorities and militias have yet to take sides in the protests, which could escalate matters; one cleric, Moktada al-Sadr of the Sairoon party, has called for the government to resign.