Iraqi Prime Minister Mustafa al-Kadhimi has dismissed the governor of Dhi Qar following protests in the province that resulted in several fatalities.
Sky News Arabia reported that the Iraqi Prime Minister appointed Abdul-Ghani Al-Asadi as the new governor of Dhi Qar and ordered the formation of a council to investigate the recent events and hold accountable those responsible. The report added that Prime Minister Mustafa al-Kadhimi directed the establishment of an advisory council composed of prominent figures in Dhi Qar to oversee the reconstruction of the province and update him on all details to address its issues.
The Iraqi Human Rights Commission reported that five protesters were killed and 271 others were injured, including 147 members of the security forces, during events in Dhi Qar over the past five days. Protests continue over the deterioration of public services in Nasiriyah, the capital of Dhi Qar province. In a related development, France Presse, citing medical sources, reported that three protesters were shot dead today, Friday, during clashes with security forces in Nasiriyah, located in southern Iraq.
The fatalities followed a week of violence in Nasiriyah that led to the deaths of five protesters, mostly young, and injuries to dozens. Reports indicated that on February 23, a young man was shot during protests against the deterioration of public services in Nasiriyah, the capital of Dhi Qar province. Dozens of protesters gathered in front of the governor's office demanding the ousting of Governor Nazem al-Waeli due to the decline in public services in the province.
