“We support the Iraqi people who strive for a prosperous Iraq free of corruption and Iranian influence,” Pompeo said. “Iraq leaders should respect human rights.”
“The United State will start to put sanctions on corrupt individuals in Iraq who are stealing Iraq’s wealth and killing and wounding peaceful protesters.”
Protesters first took to the streets of southern and central Iraq on October 1 to demand action on corruption, high unemployment, and the lack of public services.
Following a pause during the Shiite religious observance of Arbaeen, the protests resumed with fresh demands for a new governing system and the resignation of the president, prime minister, and parliamentary speaker.
At least 320 protesters and members of the security forces have been killed since October 1 and around 15,000 wounded.
The protesters also want Iraq to abandon its parliamentary model and adopt a strong executive presidency.
Several of Iraq’s largest political parties met on Monday evening and agreed to give Prime Minister Adil Abdul-Mahdi a “45 days waiver” to make reforms – otherwise he will be ousted from office.
Shiite cleric and Sayirun bloc leader Muqtada al-Sadr, who supports the aims of the protesters, did not participate in the meeting.
Ammar al-Hakim, leader of the Hikma Front, which considers itself part of the official parliamentary opposition, hosted the meeting at his home in the Iraqi capital Baghdad.
In a joint statement, the parties said they want reforms that preserve the state, develop political institutions, and preserve the right to protest peacefully.
The top priority is to stop the bloodshed, protect the lives of Iraqis, and to insulate them “from a civil war, destruction, and eradication, which will spare no one”, the statement said.
The parties agreed to preserve Iraq’s democracy, to the peaceful transition of power, and further recommended that Abdul-Mahdi and security authorities should preserve law and order to catch “saboteurs” who hide among protesters and to hold all those who have killed protesters or kidnapped them to account.
All recommendations and the demands of the people must be implemented within a period that “does not exceed 45 days”, including reform packages already announced by the PM.
The government has already announced several measures in a bid to quell the protests, pledging to end corruption, deliver more job opportunities, and to provide welfare support to the poorest.
The protests have nevertheless continued to rage.
Protesters have begun blocking roads leading to major oil fields and have shut down whole city centers, leaving schools and workplaces empty.
According to AP, protests continued in the southern city of Basra on Tuesday, where dozens of protesters blocked the main entrance to Khor Al-Zubair port – Iraq’s second largest.
Iraq’s biggest port, Umm Qasr port, has also been blocked by protesters repeatedly since the unrest began.
The blockade of oilfields, oil tanker routes, and major ports has crippled the Iraqi economy, draining the country of billions of dollars. In a single week, the blockade at Umm Qasr has cost an estimated $6 billion.
