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| (AP) |
The Iraqi government’s failure to meet a deadline set by the protest movement to carry out reforms such as holding new elections has led to renew demonstrations and violence across central and southern Iraq.
Things began on January 19 with new efforts at civil
disobedience. In Karbala
and Najaf
for example the provincial buildings were closed, and the road to the
international airport in the later city was shut down, while in Baghdad the
Mohammed Qasim
highway was blocked. Several pro-Iran Hashd offices were also attacked with
the Kataib Hezbollah and Asaib Ahl Al-Haq’s
headquarters in Najaf burned. These led to new clashes with the security forces
with one
person killed in Baghdad.
These activities continued into January 20. Roads, schools
and government offices were closed in Najaf for
instance, and people sat on the highway from Dhi Qar
to Baghdad. The security forces responded again sweeping away people from
major intersections in Basra, and
killing three
people in Baghdad, 2
in Diyala, and 1 in Karbala using live ammunition and tear gas. Activists
were also facing a new
arrest campaign. This goes along with the ongoing threats, assassinations
and disappearances by units of the security forces and Hashd.
This year’s demonstrations started on October 1 and were
unlike previous ones. Originally, they weren’t connected to any political
parties, although they once again have a rough alliance with the Sadrists. They
also have been sustained and established sit-in camps in Baghdad and all of the
major cities in the south. As usual however they are asking for the entire
political system to be changed from the ending of ethnosectarian quotas to the
curtailment of corruption. They forced Prime Minister Adil Abdul Mahdi to
resign, but he remains in office until a replacement is named, which means
nothing has really changed at all. This represents the general opinion of the
ruling class. They are not going to change a system which they gain all the
benefits from and makes them aloof from the public and its needs. Still, the standoff
between the two sides continues with no end in sight.
SOURCES
Agence France Presse, “Iraq protests swell with youth angry
at slow pace of reform,” 1/19/20
Baghdad Post, “A journalist in Baghdad survives an
assassination attempt … and another receives a death threat in Babylon,”
1/20/20
Bas News, “Iraq: Protesters Burn Pro-Iran Militia Group’s
Headquarters,” 1/19/20
Al Forat, “Urgent pictures .. One demonstrator was killed
and 17 others were wounded, on Saree Mohammed al-Qasim,” 1/19/20
Al Hurra, “Iraq .. Unidentified people burn Hezbollah
headquarters in Najaf and cut the airport road, 1/19/20
Al Jazeera, “Iraqi security forces kill five protesters,”
1/20/20
Al Mada, “Protesters take control of the snipers building in
Baghdad and armed factions take to the street,” 1/20/20
NINA, “Demonstrators Block A Number Of Entrances To
Al-Diwaniyah,” 1/19/20
- “Masked Men Attack A Number Of Demonstrators, Wounding 3
In Southern Hilla,” 1/19/20
- “Protesters Block Baghdad-Kut Road,” 1/19/20
- “Protesters Block Muhammad Al-Qasim Highway,” 1/19/20
- “Protesters Block Shula Highway Northwest f Baghdad,” 1/19/20
- “Protesters Block The Road Linking Dhi Qar and Baghdad,”
1/20/20
- “Protesters Close The Parliament Building In Karbala,”
1/19/20
- “Roads, Universities, Intermediate And High Schools, And
Non-Service Departments Closed In Najaf,” 1/20/20
- “Security forces disperse a demonstration in Basra,”
1/20/20
Rwanduzy, Mohammed, “At least two protesters killed in
Baghdad as Iraq’s demonstrations swell,” Rudaw, 1/20/20
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