“The US is closely monitoring the situation in Iraq and urges all parties to the conflict to renounce violence. We express our condolences to the families of those killed during the demonstrations this weekend ... The United States is deeply concerned about the violent closure of the media and the pressure on the media that report the protests, ”Ortagus said on a Twitter post.
She also clarified that freedom of speech is an integral part of democratic reforms.
We extend our condolences to the families of those killed this past weekend in # Iraq's protests. We are very concerned about the closure of media outlets. Journalists must be allowed to practice their profession in safety. pic.twitter.com/lpWrVJLcWU
- Morgan Ortagus (@statedeptspox) October 28, 2019AFP previously reported that about 50 people died as a result of a wave of anti-government protests in Iraq. Since the beginning of the riots, the number of victims amounted to almost 200 people, thousands were injured.