Baku, Azerbaijan, Oct. 5
By Rufiz Hafizoglu - Trend:
Turkey attaches importance to the stability of Iraq, and Ankara hopes that the Iraqi authorities will be able to stabilize the situation in the country, Trend reports with reference to the Turkish Foreign Ministry.
“We are deeply saddened by the high number of casualties during the protests in Baghdad and several southern provinces in Iraq since October 1, 2019,” the Turkish ministry said.
Ankara also expressed condolences to the families and relatives of those killed in the protests in Iraq, according to the report.
“We believe that the Iraqi government will take all necessary steps to address the legitimate expectations of the people,” said the ministry. “We call on all parties to exercise utmost restraint to prevent more casualties during the protests.”
Iraq has been rocked by days of protests, as thousands of mostly young men have been demonstrating in different parts of the country against corruption, unemployment and poor public services.
Tensions have been exacerbated by a near-total internet blackout as the authorities seek to prevent protesters communicating with each other or posting footage of the chaotic demonstrations online.
Iraqi Prime Minister Adel Abdul Mahdi has imposed curfews in the capital, Baghdad, and other cities to try to stop the protests gathering steam.
The Iraqi Human Rights Commission has reported that the death toll has increased to 73, with more than 3,000 others injured.
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