Protests and criticism of al-Maliki after Trump threat

TT

Published 19.14

 

Former Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki. Archive photo. Photo: Hadi Mizban/AP/TT

Hundreds of protesters gathered outside the US embassy in Baghdad after US President Donald Trump threatened to withdraw aid to Iraq.

Trump wrote on social platforms that he is considering stopping aid to Iraq if former Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki is allowed to lead the country again.

“The last time al-Maliki was in power, the country was plunged into poverty and total chaos,” Trump wrote.

The response on Wednesday came both from al-Maliki and on the streets of the capital.

“We reject the blatant interference in Iraq’s domestic politics and see it as a violation of the country’s sovereignty,” al-Maliki said in a statement.

Several hundred people gathered in protests against the United States, near the country's embassy in the so-called Green Zone in Baghdad where government agencies and embassies are located.