A security source reported on Monday that the Alawi and Salhiya districts in central Baghdad were closed off as graduates continued their protests demanding employment and job opportunities. A heavy security presence was deployed, and traffic came to a near standstill.
The source told the Iraq Times Agency that "large numbers of graduates continued their demonstrations for the second day in a row, prompting security forces to close several roads leading to the Alawi and Salhiya districts to vehicular traffic. Riot police were deployed around the protest sites to manage traffic and protect the demonstrators."
The protesters' demands focus on providing job opportunities and creating new positions within the federal budget, given the ongoing graduate unemployment crisis and the delays faced by many graduates in securing employment in government institutions.
This morning, the Alawi district witnessed large gatherings of long-term graduates, while protesters from other provinces arrived in Baghdad to join the demonstrations. This influx of protesters intensified the demonstrations in the area and impacted traffic on surrounding roads.
The road linking Babylon and Baghdad also witnessed heavy traffic congestion and gridlock after security forces prevented buses carrying graduates from Babylon and other provinces from entering the capital to participate in the demonstrations, according to sources.
These protests come at a time when graduates are increasingly demanding government solutions to the employment issue, especially since providing job opportunities has become one of the most prominent challenges facing Iraqi governments due to the growing number of graduates each year.
The influx of long-term graduates to the Alawi area in Baghdad continues, demanding employment.
