Markets across several major Iraqi cities came to a standstill on Monday, as traders and shop owners continued days-long protests and strikes against newly imposed federal customs tariffs and taxes, shuttering shops and staging demonstrations in Baghdad, Mosul, Kirkuk, and Basra amid warnings of soaring prices, collapsing trade, and mounting social unrest.In Baghdad, Kirkuk, and Mosul, merchants lowered metal shutters, closed warehouses, and abandoned their shops in protest of the government’s latest customs and tax decisions. Demonstrators warned that the measures threaten livelihoods, weaken purchasing power, and risk triggering broader social unrest.In Mosul, most shops in the city center were closed, bringing buying and selling to a near standstill—an unusual scene in a city where traders typically begin work early in the morning. Merchants said the disruption reflects growing anger over the rapid rise in commodity prices in recent days.One disgruntled shop owner told Kurdistan24 that prices have surged dramatically, describing the situation as “unacceptable,” particularly as many Iraqis continue to suffer from delayed salaries and declining incomes. “The financial burden on citizens no longer allows for decisions like this,” he said.Residents echoed those concerns, warning that rising prices are hitting low-income families hardest. A Mosul resident said the cost of basic necessities—from food items to transportation and taxi fares—has increased sharply, placing additional strain on already vulnerable households.Traders in Mosul said the cost of importing a single shipping container has jumped from around five million dinars to as much as 60 million dinars, a rise they say is impossible to absorb. Many warned they would be forced to suspend business operations until the government reviews the policy.The Iraqi Traders Association has called for a nationwide strike for an indefinite period, demanding the immediate release of stalled containers at Umm Qasr and the reversal of the new customs tariffs. The association warned that continued delays and rising costs could cause widespread business closures and the collapse of thousands of jobs.The traders’ protests come amid growing public anger over broader austerity measures, including a controversial government decision to reduce or suspend allowances for teachers and civil servants. That move has already triggered demonstrations in several provinces, particularly in Kirkuk, where educators accused the government of shifting the cost of fiscal mismanagement onto ordinary workers. (ICE AMMAN)

Fonte notizia: Stampa Locale