As Iraqi Demonstrations Continue, Protestors are Killed and A Governor Flees

February 18, 2011 at 8:12 AM

On Thursday nine Iraqis were killed and 47 injured at a protest against corruption and unemployment in Sulaimaniyah, a Kurdish city.

Earlier this week Latif Hamad al-Turfa, the governor of Kut, a city south of Baghdad, fled his office to police headquarters as 3,000 protesters stormed his building. Police then opened fire on the demonstrators, killing one and injuring 50.

Protesters across Iraq have taken to the streets demanding electricity, clean water, food and an end to government corruption. Widows and orphans demonstrated in Kirkuk, calling for government assistance.

According to Reuters, “The government has delayed the purchase of F-16 fighter jets to put $900 million of allocated funds into rations and bought 200,000 tonnes of white sugar this month to support the plan.”

In the meantime Iraqi youth are continuing to use social media such as Facebook and Twitter to call for more protests. A demonstration is planned in Baghdad’s Tahrir Square on February 25.

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2 thoughts on “As Iraqi Demonstrations Continue, Protestors are Killed and A Governor Flees”

  1. Thank you for covering this.

    My friend, a human rights activist in Sulaimaniyah, is in fear for his life. What can be done to support him?

  2. Thank you for covering this.

    My friend, a human rights activist in Sulaimaniyah, is in fear for his life. What can be done to support him?

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