Reacting to protests in Iraq, U.S. Secretary of States Mike Pompeo stated that “the U.S. welcomes any serious efforts made by the Government of Iraq to address the ongoing problems in Iraqi society. The Government of Iraq should listen to the legitimate demands made by the Iraqi people who have taken to the streets to have their voices heard”. Pompeo added that ”the U.S. is closely monitoring the situation and from the beginning we have called on all sides to reject violence… the Iraqi people deserve genuine accountability and justice”.