The Iraqi city of Basra witnessed the tragic death of Riham Yaqoob on Wednesday, August 19. Yaqoob, a female activist and doctor, had been leading local anti-government protests.
Prime Minister Mustafa al-Kadhimi took action in response to Yaqoob’s murder, dismissing Basra’s chief of police and other security officials. He also pledged to ensure the security forces fulfill their duties.
In response to the tragic incident, Mustafa al-Kadhimi stated:
“Complicity with the killers and submitting to their threats is rejected and we will do everything necessary for the ministry of interior and security agencies to carry out the task of protecting the security of society from the threats of outlaws.”
These events come just five months after Kadhimi, a former intelligence chief, assumed office following the resignation of his predecessor amid mass protests in Baghdad, Basra, and other southern cities.
Continued protests in Iraq reflect widespread grievances about corruption, high unemployment, inadequate public services, and foreign interference.