In recent weeks, anti-government demonstrations in cities across Iraq have been growing, as hundreds of thousands gather to voice their frustration and anger over corruption, alleged Iranian interference, high unemployment, poor government services, and years of economic stagnation. More than 250 people have reportedly been killed in clashes with Iraqi security forces while taking part in some of the largest demonstrations since 2003. Protesters are demanding a complete overhaul of the government, including the ouster of Prime Minister Adil Abdul Mahdi. Pledges have been made by authorities to hold early elections, and to address some of the concerns of the demonstrators, but the protests show no signs of slowing.
A Month of Anti-government Protests in Iraq
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An aerial view shows Iraqi protesters gathering at Baghdad's Tahrir Square near al-Jumhuriya bridge, which leads to the high-security Green Zone across the Tigris River, during ongoing anti-government demonstrations in the Iraqi capital on November 2, 2019. #
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A protester wears tear-gas canisters on his fingers and makes the victory sign during anti-government protests in the Shiite shrine city of Karbala, late on October 28, 2019. #
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Anti-government protesters stand on barriers set up by Iraqi security forces to close a bridge leading to the Green Zone government areas during ongoing protests in Baghdad on November 4, 2019. #
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Protesters gather to commemorate the people who lost their lives during anti-government demonstrations demanding economic reforms and an overhaul of the political system, at Tahrir Square in Baghdad on November 3, 2019. #
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Iraqi protesters wave national flags as they gather during a demonstration outside the local government headquarters in the southern city of Basra on October 29, 2019. #
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A woman wearing a wedding dress holds a placard with an Arabic sentence reading "The bride of the demonstrations, her dowry is the change" takes part in the ongoing protests in Basra, Iraq, on November 3, 2019. #
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Iraqi protesters try to remove the security-force barricades on al-Sarafiya bridge and enter the road to the high-security Green Zone, where key government offices and foreign embassies are based, during ongoing anti-government demonstrations in Tahrir Square on October 30, 2019. #
Murtadha Sudani / Anadolu Agency via Getty / Anadolu Agency -
Iraqi architects wear their white helmets as they hold a candlelight vigil for victims killed during anti-government protests in the southern city of Basra on November 1, 2019. #
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