Iran reopens consulate burned by protesters Iraq

Iraqi security forces intervene demonstrators during the ongoing anti-government protests at Al-Rasheed Street in Baghdad, Iraq on 23 November, 2019 [Murtadha Sudani/Anadolu Agency]

Iran yesterday reopened its consulate in the Iraqi governorate of Najaf more than two months after closing it for security reasons, an Iraqi security source said.

Anadolu news agency reported Lieutenant Najm Al-Saadi, of the Najaf police saying that “the security forces will be responsible for providing the necessary protection for the Iranian consulate building in Najaf after it has officially opened.”

On 27 November, Iraqi protesters stormed the Iranian consulate building in Najaf and set it on fire. It was torched again on 1 and 3 December.

Since October 2019, Iraq has been witnessing violent anti-establishment protests that killed more than 600 people.

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