The country's Supreme judiciary Council said 2,626 people held during anti-government protests had been freed, adding that 181 protesters were still being held pending investigation.

Iraqi protests started on 1 October 2019, a date which was set by civil activists on social media, spreading over the central and southern provinces of Iraq, to protest 16 years of corruption, unemployment and inefficient public services, before they escalated into calls to overthrow the administration.

Iraqi government has been accused of using bullets, snipers, hot water and tear gas against protesters. The protests stopped on 8 October and resumed on 24 October. Prime Minister Adil Abdul-Mahdi announced on 29 November that he would resign.

On Dec. 1, the Iraqi parliament accepted the resignation of Prime Minister Adel Abdul-Mahdi. (ILKHA)