Nasiriyah tensions ease as pope heads to Iraq
Iraq's Nasiriyah has been the scene of violent protests recently, but calm has settled over the city with the prime minister's efforts to calm it.
Iraq’s southern city of Nasiriyah — recently the site of large anti-government protests — has largely escaped the attention of the international media, but that is about to change. The visit later this week by Pope Francis to the place revered as the birthplace of Abraham, just outside the city limits at the site of the ancient city of Ur, is likely to attract worldwide attention.
Last week, protests again engulfed Nasiriyah with tragic consequences, as five protesters were killed and dozens injured. Demonstrations against poor public services and corruption have rocked the city intermittently since October 2019.
Prime Minister Mustafa al-Kadhimi immediately dismissed Governor Nadhim al-Waili for failing to prevent the violence.
On Feb. 26, Kadhimi appointed Gen. Abdul Ghani al-Asadi, who is serving as the head of the national security agency, as acting governor. Asadi, who is from Nasiriyah, is an influential figure among the tribal community and the province in general.
