Chaos continued in Iraq’s southern provinces this week as demonstrators protested corruption, unemployment, a crippling water crisis, routine power cuts, and Baghdad’s inability to address these endemic issues. The highly influential Grand Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani broke silence on the matter on 27 July, launching a withering critique on the political establishment that stands to fan the flames of protest further.
Prime Minister Haidar al-Abadi tried to appease demonstrators last month by pledging $3bn for the southern provinces and sacking Electricity Minister Qassem al-Fahdawi just last week. But daily demonstrations continue. (CONTINUED - 1068 WORDS)
