In a joint statement, the Movement for Change (Gorran) and the Kurdistan Islamic Group (Komal) both announced their withdrawal from the KRG’s ruling coalition.

The move comes as large anti-government rallies entered their third day in Sulaimani, where the two parties -- along with the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan -- are based.

The move means that Gorran will forfeit the Kurdish parliamentary speakership, along with the KRG’s finance/economy and Peshmerga affairs portfolios.

Since Monday, Sulaimani-- one of the Kurdish region’s largest cities -- has been rocked by massive demonstrations by civil servants demanding payment of overdue salaries and an end of perceived government corruption.

On Tuesday, at least five protesters were shot dead by local security forces in the city, while a number of public facilities -- including several party offices -- were torched by angry demonstrators.

Reporter’s code: 50101