US ready to combat corruption in Iraq: statement

“The US Embassy supports the right of the Iraqi people to peacefully assemble and express their views.”

ERBIL (Kurdistan 24) – The US Embassy in Iraq has expressed support for the government of Iraq in combatting corruption in the country as protests in central and southern provinces continue.

In a statement released on its official Facebook page on Monday, the US Embassy in Iraq expressed support for ongoing demonstrations in Iraq where people are calling for better services, jobs, and an end to corruption.

“The US Embassy supports the right of the Iraqi people to peacefully assemble and express their views,” the statement said.

The US Embassy welcomed the Iraqi government’s promise to safeguard the rights of its citizens to demonstrate peacefully, regretting the lives lost among both protesters and security forces.

“The Embassy is ready to support the Iraqi people and their government in their efforts to reform the economy, fight corruption, and create the jobs and provide the services that the Iraqi people deserve,” the statement concluded.

“We support people’s rights to peacefully protest,” State Department Spokesperson Heather Nauert explained last week, as she responded to a question from Kurdistan 24 about the widespread demonstrations in Iraq.

“We certainly understand, when there are electricity shortages, when there are oil shortages,” Nauert said. “That is something that would certainly be upsetting to people.”

For three weeks, people have taken to the streets in several provinces in southern Iraq to demand better public services and an end to unemployment.

In response, the Iraqi government imposed strict measures, including blocking access to the internet and social media and deploying the army and counter-terrorism units into provinces where people are protesting.

According to local Iraqi media outlets, so far, at least 12 people have been killed by security forces and over 250 others wounded.

Editing by Karzan Sulaivany