Iraqi prime minister to resign in wake of deadly protests

[Gefn]

BAGHDAD (AP) — A day after more than 40 protesters were killed by security forces, Iraq’s prime minister announced Friday that he would submit his resignation to parliament, a step that carried uncertainty for the entire government and stirred fears of a possible political crisis.

The move by Adel Abdul-Mahdi came 13 months after he took office and followed calls by Iraq’s top Shiite cleric for lawmakers to withdraw support. At least four protesters were killed in the hours after the announcement in continuing violence in Baghdad and southern Iraq.

Word of the planned resignation triggered celebrations by anti-government protesters who have been camped out for nearly two months in Baghdad’s Tahrir Square. Young men and women broke into song and dance under the sparkle of fireworks crackling from every corner of the plaza, the epicenter of their leaderless protest movement, which seeks an end to sectarian government and election and anti-corruption reforms.


https://apnews.com/14bcd26984de4de2a2c039cb3505e3f8

[Gefn]

This Reuters article states (Snip)

VIOLENCE UNABATED

S

ecurity forces meanwhile shot dead at least 21 people in the southern city of Nassiriya after protesters tried to storm a local police headquarters, hospital sources said. In Najaf, unidentified armed men shot live rounds at demonstrators sending dozens scattering.

Iraqi forces have killed hundreds of mostly young, unarmed demonstrators people since mass anti-government protests broke out on Oct. 1. More than a dozen members of the security forces have also died in clashes. At least 436 people have died in less than two months, according to a Reuters tally from medical and police sources.

http://news.trust.org/item/20191129144456-oo1t0

[TomSea]

I am glad someone posted on this, it is unfathomable.  Also, as I've said before, if we talk about Saddam's atrocities, I am sure his were worse, maybe he disappeared a million but this is bad too.

Over there, tear gas canisters are killers. One can look it up, apparently they kill if one is hit in the right place.

https://www.bbc.com/news/av/world-middle-east-50522724/iraq-protests-tear-gas-canisters-aimed-at-protesters

[truth_seeker]

Surely the USA has EXPERTS, to guide our politicians about how much and how long, to send money and weapons to both sides.

(Dr. Finoa Hill and LTC Alex Vindman, would be examples of such experts)

[Fishrrman]

The only thing for us to do is to GET OUT of there and let them "settle it for themselves".

It doesn't really matter which side wins.

... because whatever and whoever rules afterwards probably won't look all that different from the other ones. They're all... muslims.