Security forces try to convince demonstrators during protests against unemployment, corruption in Baghdad, October 7, 2019. /VCG Photo
Iraq appointed new education and health ministers on Thursday, a day after Prime Minister Adel Abdul Mahdi promised to reshuffle his government and enact reforms to try to stem unrest.
Suha Khalil is one of few women to have become a minister in Iraq. Her appointment was approved by parliament, which also voted for the appointment of the new health minister, Jaafar Allawi, after his predecessor quit before the wave of unrest.
The changes are unlikely to satisfy Iraqis after more than 110 people were killed in the protests that began last week over jobs, services and corruption.
The protesters blame a corrupt and divided political class for failing to improve their lives even in peacetime, some two years after ISIL was declared defeated in Iraq. The unrest is the biggest security challenge for the country since then.
Abdul Mahdi on Wednesday declared three days of national mourning, said he had not ordered use of live ammunition and announced measures aimed at placating protesters including a cabinet reshuffle, punishment of corrupt officials, job opportunities for the unemployed and stipends for the poor.
Iraqi demonstrators make a fire during protests against unemployment, corruption in Baghdad, October 7, 2019. /VCG Photo
In a sign that parliament remains divided, dozens of lawmakers boycotted the rest of Thursday's session after approving the two ministerial appointments.
"We voted for two ministries that were vacant so they could actually start doing their work, but the prime minister should have also presented changes to ministries riven with corruption," said lawmaker Husham al-Suhail who walked out of the session, without giving further details.
Many Iraqis live in poverty, have limited access to clean water, electricity, basic healthcare or decent education as the country tries to recover from years of conflict.
During unrest that began in Baghdad and spread to southern cities, security forces used live rounds and tear gas against demonstrators, blocked the internet entirely for days.
If reform is not introduced quickly, more unrest is likely to break out. Authorities have still mostly kept the internet shut down 10 days after the violence began, though not serious violence has been reported since Sunday.