Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi Friday ordered military commanders to make it easier for civilians to get into Baghdad's fortified Green Zone while improving access to streets across the country closed off by political and security factions. Militias, political parties and influential figures have created many no-go areas in Baghdad and other cities in response to waves of car bombings since the U.S.-led invasion to topple Saddam Hussein in 2003. The Green Zone is a heavily defended district in central Baghdad that is home to many government buildings and several Western embassies. Ahead of fresh street protests expected in the capital and southern cities Friday, Abadi ordered commanders to implement a plan "to protect civilians ... from being targeted by terrorism," according to online statements. It was not immediately clear what procedures would be followed to implemented the measures. Abadi is pushing major reforms to Iraq's governing system aimed at combating graft and incompetence which he says have deprived Iraqis of basic services while undermining government forces in the fight against ISIS militants in the north and west. His initiative is intended to eliminate layers of government, scrapping sectarian and party quotas for state positions and reopening corruption investigations. It gives the premier the power to fire regional and provincial bosses. Abadi announced the first package of reforms earlier this month following a call for tougher action by senior Shiite authority Grand Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani and weeks of demonstrations demanding better public services and an end to graft. Abadi also ordered the formation of a legal committee Friday to review the ownership of state properties and return illegally gained assets to the state. Critics say some officials have abused their authority to appropriate state-owned properties for personal use.
