ISHM: February 25 - March 4, 2021 Format Key Takeaways: Several Killed In New Dhi-Qar Protests; Militias Lash Out After U.S. Strikes Target Them In Syria; Iraq’s Foreign Minister In Tehran To Control Fallout – **On February 25, protesters calling for the dismissal of Dhi-Qar’s governor clashed with security forces in Nasiriyah. Iraq’s Human Rights Commission said that five days of clashes left five protesters deas and injured 247 people, but activists said as many as ten died. On February 26, PM Kadhimi appointed National Security chief Abdul Ghani al-Asadi as interim Dhi-Qar governor. On February 27, Asaib Ahl al-Haq leader Qais al-Khazali condemned the February 26 U.S. airstrikes on Iraqi militias in Syria, calling for the removal of U.S. forces from Iraq. Kataeb Hezbollah accused Saudi Arabia and the UAE of assisting the U.S. operation. Other militia affiliates accused PM Kadhimi of giving the U.S. targeting information. On February 27, Iraq’s Foreign Minister visited Tehran, where he emphasized the need for joint efforts to reduce tensions, and stressed that actions that undermine Iraq’s security distract from the mission of fighting ISIS. Between March 2 – 4, demonstrators in Hilla and Samawah demanded the resignations of the Babylon and Muthanna governors. On March 3, PM Kadhimi threatened retaliation for a March 3 rocket attack on Ain al-Asad air base, stressing that Iraqi forces “have clear directions to take decisive action.” On March 3, KRG security officials revealed information that implicate the Kataeb Sayyid al-Shuhada militia in conducting the February 15 rocket attack on Erbil. more…