Iraqi PM to resign as bloody protests continue.

The protests against the Iraqi government, and perceived Iranian influence in the Iraqi government, have been ongoing since October. Over 400 people have been killed since the protests began with many being killed this week. Because of this, the Iraqi PM, Mr Abdul Mahdi will resign his position although a date has not yet been confirmed.

The Iranian consulate in the city of Najaf was torched on Thursday by mostly Shi'ite protesters - many view the current Iraqi government as puppets of Tehran.

Muqtada al-Sadr, known perhaps most prominently for the attacks against Coalition forces after the 2003 Invasion, is now a vocal critic of the current Iraqi government and of Iranian influence.
While the protesters and supporters of Muqtada al-Sadr are Anti-Iranian, there are plenty of Tehran backed groups, grouped under the term "PMF", loosely controlled by Iran's Quds Force that have been attacking protesters. Qasem Soleimani, an Iranian Major General in the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps and commander of its Quds Force, is apparently in regular contact with the Iraqi government and also helped in the flight against Da'esh after Mosul fell in 2014.
However, now it is believed that Iranian forces have been involved in the deaths of Iraqi protesters.

Many of the protesters are said to be under 30 and are angry about the lack of job prospects, rampant corruption and general living standards that have not improved since the PM came to power.

There have also been protests in Iran against the government that have led to over 100 deaths. Reports are hard to come by as Tehran shut down much of the Internet.

As always with the Middle East, the situation is rather complex. Sources are below if you want to read more into the situation.

Sources:
https://www.amnesty.org/en/latest/news/2019/11/iran-more-than-100-protesters-believed-to-be-killed-as-top-officials-give-green-light-to-crush-protests/

https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/middle-east/iran-internet-shutdown-protests-communications-tehran-a9226731.html

https://www.reuters.com/article/us-iraq-protests-idUSKBN1Y20WX

https://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-50600495

https://foreignpolicy.com/2018/06/18/i-fought-against-muqtada-al-sadr-now-hes-iraqs-best-hope/4

https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2019/11/iraqi-protesters-leaks-confirm-iran-191119160040623.html

https://www.nytimes.com/2019/11/18/world/middleeast/iran-iraq-cables.html

Reply 1

Napp

Cant entirely fault them, for the worlds sixth largest oil exporter to not have electricity half of the time or clean drinking water is shameful on the government there. Never mind Soleimani jamming his oar in.