US tells Iraq to 'enact reforms, tackle corruption'

US State Secretary Mike Pompeo told Iraq’s prime minister Tuesday to enact reforms and tackle corruption amid anti-government protests, reports Anadolu Agency.

In a statement, State Department spokeswoman Morgan Ortagus said Pompeo had a telephone call with Abd al-Mahdi and deplored the death toll among protesters.

“Secretary Pompeo urged Prime Minister Abd al-Mahdi to take immediate steps to address the protesters’ legitimate grievances by enacting reforms and tackling corruption,” said Ortagus.

Iraqi protests – Cartoon [Sabaaneh/MiddleEastMonitor]

More than 300 protesters have been killed and thousands injured in anti-government demonstrations throughout Iraq since October 1, according to the Iraqi High Commission for Human Rights.

READ: Protests resume in Iraq’s Sadr City as uprising enters second week

On Saturday, Amnesty International called on Iraqi authorities to rein in security forces to prevent a “bloodbath” in Iraq.

Popular anger has been simmering in Iraq in recent years due to rising unemployment and rampant corruption. Many residents have limited access to basic services such as electricity and clean water.

Iraq’s youth unemployment is at around 25%, according to World Bank figures. It is also the 12th most corrupt country in the world, according to several organizations that monitor transparency.