An unknown number of Iraqis took to the streets in Basra on Friday evening to demonstrate against the deaths of two activists. This led to clashes with the riot police and a local parliament building was set on fire.
The protesters demanded the provincial governor to resign, saying he was not doing enough to protect activists. Human rights activists have been the target of assassination attempts for months. In several incidents earlier this week, two activists were killed and several people injured.
Friday’s demonstrations were uneventful until protesters attempted to burn the local parliament building with Molotov cocktails and riot police fired warning shots. In the clashes that followed, eight officers were injured. It is unclear whether protesters were also injured.
According to protesters, the governor is partly responsible for the deaths of the activists because he refuses to do anything about the safety of activists and people who defend human rights in the country.
Human rights lawyer killed in car attack
One of the activists killed this week was Reham Yacoub. The human rights activist, who has organized several women’s marches in Iraq in the past, was murdered on Wednesday when gunmen opened fire on her car from a motorcycle. The attack on Yacoub was the third in a week.
Prime Minister Mustafa Al Kadhimi decided after the attacks to fire the police chief of Basra. He also demanded an independent investigation into their deaths. Al Kadhimi is already the country’s third prime minister in ten weeks. He is popular among the protesters because he says he is independent and wants to tackle corruption.
Friday’s showdown between authorities and protesters is seen as the biggest since there in October massive anti-government demonstrations took place in the country. Tens of thousands of Iraqis then took to the streets in anger at the lack of employment, inadequate basic services and corruption in the country.
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