In a special session held on Sunday in Baghdad, the Iraqi parliament voted to accept Prime Minister Adil Abdul Mahdi’s resignation, following two months of national anti-corruption protests that have led to the reported deaths of over 400 participants. Abdul Mahdi announced his intention to resign on Friday after the bloodiest day of protests yet, during which security forces reportedly killed upwards of 40 demonstrators. Although some demonstrators celebrated Abdul Mahdi’s announcement, protests seem poised to continue.
The Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) said in a statement on Sunday (December 1) that it is ready to receive wounded protesters from central and southern Iraq at the Region’s hospitals. “The Ministry of Health/KRG declares the readiness of all the hospitals in [the] Kurdistan Region to receive and treat” injured protesters, the statement read. The ministry also said it hoped for peaceful protests and for the speedy recovery of those who have been wounded.
The Iranian Consulate in the Shia Muslim holy city of Najaf was set on fire for the second time in a week on Sunday (December 1). Civil defense teams have said that they are trying to extinguish the fire. Staff at the consulate were evacuated before the incident. Authorities announced a curfew shortly after the fire began. Protesters entered the compound on Wednesday and set fire to the consulate building. Security forces responded by opening fire on the protesters, killing five and wounding 32 others.
