ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - Dozens of protesters gathered in a Baghdad neighborhood on Saturday to protest lack of basic services and accuse the government of failing to deliver on its promises of clean water and good roads.
"Our children are going to school using muddy roads. The buses can't access these roads, and taxis are not entering the area," said Ahmed Jasim, a protester from Karada neighborhood.
Protesters held up banners reading "No to corruption" and "Why are you ignoring the area and playing with our dedicated funds?"
"One year ago, the prime minister promised to construct a sewage system, pave the roads and replace the clean water network," said Waa'd Khazraji, another protester from the neighborhood.
"One year and a month later, our area remains wrecked," Khazraji said.
Protesters complained that the unfinished renovation projects had turned their neighbourhood into a total "destruction."
Iraqis, especially in central and southern parts of the country, often take to the streets to protest the lack of basic services.
Mass demonstrations were held in 2019 to protest corruption, high unemployment, and inefficient public services. The protests continued throughout 2021 and triggered a violent crackdown by security forces and militiamen. Around 600 people were killed and thousands more were injured.
Iraq is the second-largest oil-rich country in the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) after Saudi Arabia, producing four to five million barrels per day.
"Our children are going to school using muddy roads. The buses can't access these roads, and taxis are not entering the area," said Ahmed Jasim, a protester from Karada neighborhood.
Protesters held up banners reading "No to corruption" and "Why are you ignoring the area and playing with our dedicated funds?"
"One year ago, the prime minister promised to construct a sewage system, pave the roads and replace the clean water network," said Waa'd Khazraji, another protester from the neighborhood.
"One year and a month later, our area remains wrecked," Khazraji said.
Protesters complained that the unfinished renovation projects had turned their neighbourhood into a total "destruction."
Iraqis, especially in central and southern parts of the country, often take to the streets to protest the lack of basic services.
Mass demonstrations were held in 2019 to protest corruption, high unemployment, and inefficient public services. The protests continued throughout 2021 and triggered a violent crackdown by security forces and militiamen. Around 600 people were killed and thousands more were injured.
Iraq is the second-largest oil-rich country in the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) after Saudi Arabia, producing four to five million barrels per day.
Ziyad Ismail and Rekar Aziz contributed to this article.
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