Prominent Iraqi Activist Reham Yacoub Killed in Southern Iraq

Iraqi demonstrators gather near burning tires during a protest near the governor's residence in the southern city of Basra, to protest assassinations and demand the resignation of top security officials, on Aug. 17, 2020. Hussein Faleh/AFP via Getty Images

Dr. Reham Yacoub, a prominent Iraqi civilian activist, was assassinated by unknown gunmen on Wednesday in central Basra, a port city in southeastern Iraq, according to reports.

Basra Police Chief Major General Abbas Naji confirmed her death, telling reporters in a statement, “It was decided to form a committee of senior police officers to investigate the murder of Dr. Reham Yaqoub,” according to Gulf News. He added that “the perpetrators must be arrested within 72 hours, to bring them to justice.”