Iran stokes protests against Iraqi cabinet

Shaimaa Hefzi

Demonstrations broke out across Iraqi governorates protesting worsening economic conditions in the country, which has not recovered from the impacts of the war against ISIS, aka Daesh, as well as the US invasion in the wake of political rapprochement with Iran.

The demonstrations are the largest since October 2018, when protests broke out due to tough economic conditions with Transparency International ranking Iraq 168 out of 180 countries on its Corruption Perception Index.

Iraqis also suffer from frequent power cuts and water shortages and a high unemployment rate.

Iraq’s Defense Minister Najah al-Shammari said his country is ready to keep the sovereignty of the state and secure al of the state’s institutions as well as embassies and diplomatic missions.

Iraqi President Barham Salih, Prime Minister Adel Abdul Mahdi and Mohammed al-Halbousi, the Speaker of Parliament, held an urgent meeting to address the situation.

Since 2003, when the US-led invasion ousted former president Saddam Hussein, almost $450 billion of public funds has vanished into the pockets of politicians and businessmen, according to official figures.

The Iraqi Popular Mobilization Forces has been decrying the Iraqi government on accusations of rapprochement with the United States at the expense of its relationship with Iran.

The Iraqi prime minister is facing a challenge to remain in office in the wake of a disagreement between the Sunni and Shiite blocs on the presence of US troops in the country.

The Kurdish and Sunni blocs reject the withdrawal of US forces in the meantime.

A number of Iraqi military commanders have been sacked recently. Prime Minister Abdul Mahdi sacked Abdul-Wahab al-Saadi, a senior Iraqi commander who fought Daesh.  The sacking of al-Saadi was reportedly sacked because of pressures from the Popular Mobilization Forces.

Former Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi criticized the sacking of asl-Saadi in tweet.