The United States has called on Iraq’s government to stop using violence against protesters, reform its electoral system and hold early elections, after weeks of unrest in which security forces have killed nearly 300 protesters. The Iraqi unrest prompts the US to react knowing well it would vote out of office all the Iranian-controlled puppets.
On Sunday, Iraqi forces shot three anti-government protesters dead in the southern city of Nassiriya. Adding to scores killed in weeks of unrest that have shaken the war-weary country out of relative calm. The iron grip Iran has over Iraqi politics has manifested an angry Arab street. Its youth is unwilling to live under a Farsi occupation.
The protests are a reminder of similar protests that shaped Arab politics in the post-WWII colonial rule. They began on Oct. 1 and were initially focused on a lack of jobs and services; however, they quickly morphed into denunciation of Iran and its sectarianism.
Security forces have used live ammunition, tear gas and stun grenades against mostly young and unarmed protesters. So far, they killed more than 280 people.
EARLY ELECTIONS TO KICK IRAN IN THE TEETH
The White House press secretary said in a statement posted by the U.S. embassy in Baghdad on Monday:
The United States joins the UN Assistance Mission to Iraq in calling on the Iraqi government to halt the violence against protesters and fulfill President Salih’s promise to pass electoral reform and hold early elections.
Iraqi leaders agreed on Sunday that electoral reforms should give more chance for young people to participate in politics and break the monopoly on power of political parties that have dominated state institutions since 2003, state media reported. Iran funds several political parties in Iraq.
The unrest, the worst for two years, is one of the biggest and most complicated challenges to the current ruling elite since it took power after the U.S. invasion.
Iraq has assisted the Assad regime in Syria over the last 8 year of civil war.
Reuters contributed to this article.
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