Internet blackout in Iraq as govt struggles to control deadly protests

• Curfew has been imposed in Iqra as protests turn violent.
• Protests erupted this week over unemployment and corruption.
• 13 people have so far been killed and more than 400 people have been detained.

Iraq has shut down internet in most of its areas and imposed a curfew amid the recent wave of mass-protests over unemployment and corruption, which have led to several deaths.

Internet blockage observatory NetBlocks announced on Twitter that social media platforms including Facebook, Twitter and Instagram as well as WhatsApp have been disabled across Iraq.

Update: #Iraq is now largely offline amid widening mass-protests; situation on the ground unclear due to blackouts; real-time network data show ~75% of country including #Baghdad now offline (excl. autonomous regions) 📉

📰 https://t.co/7GF42YLDWU pic.twitter.com/zUzK36w8nC

— NetBlocks.org (@netblocks) October 2, 2019

The blockage observatory also said that due to the black out, situation in the region is unclear. The observatory also said data shows that 75% of country including Baghdad are now offline. Nationwide rallies are being held the largest display of public anger against Prime Minister Adel Abdul Mahdi's year-old government.

Confirmed: #Iraq has blocked Facebook, Twitter, WhatsApp, Instagram and other platforms as of 12:30 UTC amid growing unrest as protesters approach Green Zone; network data show multiple providers affected; incident ongoing #Iraq_Protest #KeepItOn 📉

📰 https://t.co/7GF42YLDWU pic.twitter.com/mb6fjZTdbG

— NetBlocks.org (@netblocks) October 2, 2019

A day ago on Wednesday, the death toll rose to 13 after at least five protesters and one policeman were shot dead in Nasiriya. More than 400 others have been wounded in the nationwide protests. Prime Minister Adel Abdul Mahdi has also ordered ban on movements across Baghdad.

"All vehicles and individuals are totally forbidden to move in Baghdad as of 5am today, Thursday, and until further notice," Abdul Mahdi said in a statement.