News Digest: Assassination of Female Activist Reham Yacoub in Basra Exposes Iran-backed Militias' Reign of Terror in Iraq

For this episode, we’ll be examining the recent escalation of attacks by Iran-backed militias against anti-corruption activists in Iraq following the widespread anti-government protests that rocked the country last year.Anger and grief has resurfaced in Iraq in the past weeks, as the southern city of Basra experienced a pattern of killings of anti-corruption activists. On Aug. 20, prominent activist Reham Yacoub was gunned down inside a car by unidentified men carrying assault rifles on the back of a motorcycle. She was 29 years old. Yacoub, a doctor by profession, ran a women’s health and fitness centre in Basra. In 2018, she participated in anti-government protests, during which she led women’s marches. Yacoub has been receiving death threats since then. Reports suggest her name was on a hit list compiled by powerful Iran-affiliated militias that have led the crackdown on Iraqi civil society and political activism.Visit our website and follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram for our compelling journalism from the Middle East, North Africa, and beyond.(Produced by Danya Hajjaji with Gaia Caramazza. Music by Omar al-Fil @elepheel. To get in touch with the producers, follow then tweet us at @TheNewArabVoice or email [email protected]) Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.