The political unrest has grown in Iraq since the protesters torched Iranian consulate in Najaf, the second such incidence in a month. The Iraqi government has established emergency cells to cope with the ongoing protests that have gripped the country for two months.
The angry protestors had set fire the Iranian consulate in Karbala three weeks ago too.
At least 300 people have been killed so far since the unrest started. Eight people were killed on Thursday as a result of the live rounds by the security forces.
As the protesters torched Iranian consulate in the southern Najaf, the raged crowd was shouting, “Iran out of Iraq,” an illusion to the growing Iranian involvement.
However, the Iranian officials of the consulate managed to evacuate the burning consulate. They escaped through the backdoor.
It is the second attack in a month. Earlier, it was Karbala that had borne the brunt of the Iraqi protesters three weeks ago.
As many as 344 people have lost their lives in the anti-government protests, according to the BBC report. In this two-month-old wave of protest, the demonstrators have been demanding for the end of corruption, and for more job opportunities besides better public services.
These protests have mostly affected the southern part of the country, and the capital, Baghdad.
Another significant aspect of these protests is the growing public concern against the Iranian involvement in the internal affairs of Iraq.
In the recent clash, despite the defense from the police, the protesters attacked and subsequently burned down the Iranian consulate.
There is a sectarian rage among the protestors who are against the Shite government of Iraq. The protesters blame the government is backed by Iran, which also patronizes major local groups and Shia militias in Iraq.
However, Iran had urged the Iraqi demonstrators to protest for the change while remaining within the “framework of the legal structures”.
Iran has also blamed the western countries for inciting these protests. According to RushHourDaily, the security forces gunned down two protesters in Karbala on Tuesday. Another two were killed on Wednesday in Baghdad. In Basra too, the state officials shot down a demonstrator.
According to an eyewitness, the demonstrators were stopping the government officials from going to work in the state buildings. They had an emotional innovation to stop the government official as they had painted the concrete slabs into mock coffins.
Why Are These Protests Taking Place?
The ongoing protests in Iraq started two months ago as the “first anniversary” of the prime minister Adel Abdul Mahdi. It was the online calls that triggered the demonstrations have now gripped mostly the southern part of the country, besides the capital, Baghdad.
The best response from the Iraqi PM was found in imposing a curfew, with the government had also blocked the social media sites.
President Barham Saleh has indicated the PM will resign if the political parties agree on a replacement.
Related: Public Outcry in Iraq against Government, At Least 99 Feared Dead
