The demonstrations renewed Thursday in several areas in Dhi Qar Governorate, southern Iraq, for the fifth consecutive day to demand the dismissal of all local officials and to protest against the deterioration of services and poor provision of electrical energy, in conjunction with a noticeable rise in temperatures.
Local media and activists reported that the protesters cut several main roads leading to Nasiriyah, the capital of Dhi Qar Governorate, and forced government departments to close their doors in the Souq Al-Shuyukh area.
Videos showed dozens of protesters roaming the streets, while columns of smoke were rising behind them as a result of burning tires in the streets.
Pictures ... Dhi Qar Electricity Distribution Department stores closed again to protest against the deterioration of electricity in the province. pic.twitter.com/iL5kS88VZv
- 🇮🇶 Mahmoud al-Mafraji al-Husayni 🇮🇶 (@ almafraji71) July 23, 2020
Nazim al-Waeli, the governor of Dhi Qar, granted yesterday the head of the Sheikh Al-Shuyoukh District Judge Hussein Faraj compulsory leave until the end of the blessed Eid al-Adha, against the backdrop of escalating protests in the judiciary and calling for the dismissal of all local officials.
# Hai_Hai_Alnasiriyah # The Sheikhs Market is the source of men and leaders of the revolutions Continued protests in the Senate Market #Nasiriya for the fourth consecutive day of poor services and the removal of the District Judge
#Econquer the Revolution pic.twitter.com/ffHgrAm80N
- Emad Al kasid Emad Al kasid (@EmadKasid) July 22, 2020
Other southern governorates also witnessed similar protests due to poor services and poor electrical power.
It is noteworthy that in July 2018, Basra Governorate witnessed the largest wave of popular protest due to the deterioration of the reality of services and the spread of corruption, before the wave of popular anger and protests spread to most of the southern cities and Baghdad.