2018
Oct 1 Gorran and New Generation claimed fraud in KRG election
Oct 2 Parliament elected Barham Salah new president Salah picked Adel Abdul Mahdi as
future premier Iran tried to block Salah’s election but failed
(Musings On Iraq Iraq’s Parliament Throws Out Rules And Convention To Elect President And Name Premier Designate)
Oct 4 Agriculture Min said winter crop would be cut 55% due to water shortage
Oct 4 Turkey’s parliament extended its military mandate to operate inside Iraq vs PKK for
another year
(Musings On Iraq review Turkey, the US and Iraq)
Oct 5 Health Min Inspector Gen said 45 bil dinars spent on incentives and bonuses to people
who didn’t work for ministry Ministry tried to cover up case
Oct 6 KDP said strategic agreement with PUK ended PUK leadership council said it wanted
to maintain partnership with KDP Occurred after KRG elections
Oct 7 Hashd created economic base because Iran cut financing due to sanctions Iraqi intel
said Asaib Ahl Al-Haq got $1.5-$2 mil/mo from Iran Asaib Ahl Al-Haq took over alcohol smuggling in Baghdad Kidnapped and killed liquor dealers that didn’t cooperate
Oct 8 KRG found smuggling oil to Iran again
Oct 8 Report Head of Zubayr security comm said oil smuggling rampant in Basra People
arrested for smuggling and then released Smuggling done by ruling parties with ministries and ISF
Oct 11 Activist in Basra shot in the face by gunmen
Oct 15 UN envoy said 110,000 sick in Basra from drinking bad water
Oct 16 Report PM Abadi tried to appoint Dawa members as govt advisers director generals
and other positions to stay in office under PM Abdul Mahdi
Oct 17 Report Health Min samples found toxic water in Basra Found increases in
contaminants Factory and oil waste from Basra and Iran flowing into Shatt al-Arab polluting water
Oct 17 Human Rights Comm said 2265 bodies found in Ninewa after liberated from IS
Oct 18 Out going Oil Minister Luabi transferred 9 state oil companies to new Iraq National
Oil Company that he heads PM Designate Mahdi warned that his govt would cancel any orders it felt illegal
(Musings On Iraq Iraq Starts Reviving National Oil Company)
Oct 18 Report 2017 Iraq produced 680 mil/sci/day in dry gas 1st qtr of 2018 produced 803
mil/scf/day
Oct 19 Report Iraq losing 250 sq km of farm land every year mostly in south Desertification
on rise due to decreased water on Tigris and Euphrates Up to 4 mil could be displaced in next 8 yrs 2018 4000 had to leave homes due to water crisis Agriculture severely affected by water crisis in Basra Salinity another issue Can’t drink water or use for farming Climate change disrupting farming Would increase urban migration Many farmers said govt neglected them No tariffs to protect local farmers
Oct 20 Official results of KRG election announced KDP won 45 seats PUK 21 seats Gorran
12 New Generation 8 Kurdistan Islamic Group 7 Towards Reform 5
(Musings On Iraq Official Results Announced for Iraq’s Kurdistan, Big Win For KDP)
Oct 20 Oil Ministry reversed its order to transfer 9 state oil companies to new Iraq National
Oil Company after PM Designate Mahdi warned against it
(Musings On Iraq Oil Minister Reverses Transfer Of 9 Companies To National Oil Company He Will Head)
Oct 22 Kurdistan Islamic Union said it would boycott new KRG over its poor showing in
election Gorran rejected voting results
Oct 22 Report KDP and PUK gave their peshmerga multiple voter cards to cheat in KRG
election 1 party member bragged he got 200 voter cards
Oct 24 Parliament voted on 14 of PM Abdul Mahdi’s 22 candidates for cabinet
Oct 25 Adel Abdul Mahdi sworn in as prime minister Didn’t have full cabinet Said Iraq
would follow its own interests on Iran sanctions
Oct 28 Report Corruption in shipping and loading depts customs officers ISF and staff at
border crossings
Oct 28 Report May Abdul Mahdi posted on Facebook that he didn’t want to be PM Said
politics were toxic making it impossible to govern Then he became PM Parliament approved 14 of his 22 ministers MPs weren’t given time to go over nominees Gave out one sheet resumes of each
Oct 31 Basra Human Rights Commission said that activists were going to restart protests in
province
(Musings On Iraq Protests Return To Iraq’s Basra After Having Failed To Achieve Goals During Summer)
Nov 1 Protests restarted in Basra over water crisis jobs and better governance
(Musings On Iraq Protests Return To Iraq’s Basra After Having Failed To Achieve Goals During Summer)
Nov 1 Report Salahaddin intel officer said IS reorganizing in province along border with
Ninewa Also active in Anbar south Kirkuk Had tunnels and hideouts
Nov 2 Report US said it would allow Iraq to continue to import gas energy food from Iran as
long as didn’t pay in US dollars
Nov 3 Protest in Basra City over jobs water crisis demanded PM Abdul Mahdi include a
minister from province
(Musings On Iraq Protests Return To Iraq’s Basra After Having Failed To Achieve Goals During Summer)
Nov 3 Report Official said political parties and Hashd were seizing expensive homes and
forcing people to sell them in central Baghdad
Nov.4 Report KRG upgraded capacity of its pipeline to Turkey from 900,000 bar/day to 1
mil/bar/day Natural Resource Min Hawrami said KRG would reach 1 mil/bar/day in oil prod by 2017 Didn’t happen
Nov 4 Peshmerga general said IS had tunnels and bases in Makhmour Mountains Operated
at night
Nov 6 US Pentagon report ISF suffered from poor intel operational security corruption
centralized leadership State Dept said ISF used heavy handed tactics that created public anger and undermined security in liberated areas
Nov 6 UN said 202 mass graves left by IS in Iraq 95 in Ninewa 37 in Kirkuk 36 in Salahaddin
24 in Anbar Est 6,000-12,000 people killed and in graves
Nov 8 Protest in northern Basra over jobs and services
(Musings On Iraq Protests Return To Iraq’s Basra After Having Failed To Achieve Goals During Summer)
Nov 8 Report 54,000 homes destroyed during Battle for Mosul 2015 $400 mil fund set up for
reconstruction Mosul only got $252,000 in 2017-18
Nov 9 Protest in Basra demanding referendum be held to turn province into autonomous
region
(Musings On Iraq Protests Return To Iraq’s Basra After Having Failed To Achieve Goals During Summer)
Nov 10 Sit in protest started at West Qurna 2 oil field in Basra
(Musings On Iraq Protests Return To Iraq’s Basra After Having Failed To Achieve Goals During Summer)
Nov 13 US sanctioned Adnan Kawtharani Hezbollahs’ point man in Iraq Gave money to train
and fund militias/Hashd
Nov 15 Oil Ministry began sending oil through KRG pipeline to Turkey once again after year
hiatus
(Musings On Iraq Kirkuk Oil Fields And US Pressure Lead Iraq To Agree to Use Kurdish Pipeline Again)
Nov 15 Report IS moving from Syria into Iraq KRG Security Council said convoy of IS
vehicles entered Anbar in Oct Was ambush of IS fighters along border in Ninewa and Anbar
Nov 17 Pres Salah announced free trade zone with Iran despite US sanctions against Tehran
(Musings On Iraq Iraq Announces Free Trade Zone With Iran In Face Of US Sanctions)
Nov 18 Sheikh Gharawi one of the leaders of the Basra protest movement assassinated
Nov 21 Report 06-17 Electricity Min got $29 bil Produced 16,010 mw Had capacity of 33,595
mw Signed contracts to buy natural gas before they were analyzed Bought turbines that used natural gas which ministry didn’t have Used substitutes for turbines that cost huge amount of money wore down plants increased maintenance and reduced lifespan of turbines
Nov 21 Report Got copy of documents showing PM Abadi rented govt land in Green Zone
and 2 areas of Baghdad for below market rate Fmr govt workers for VPs office rented 850 sq ft house for $26 Son of fmr VP rented 400 sq house for less than $50
Nov 21 Report Some Hashd groups gone into oil and real estate business in Ninewa Took over
property belonging to Antiquities Authority Oil and Defense Mins in Mosul Source said Shiite parties were splitting up land in Ninewa In Mosul mostly Christian property being taken Hashd oil smuggling from Ninewa into Syria Some Hashd telling people to destroy homes of IS sympathizers
(Musings On Iraq Expansion of the Hashd al-Shaabi’s influence In Iraq, Interview With Clingendael’s Erwin van Veen)
Nov 25 Protest at Basra Oil Company demanding jobs broken up by security guards and in
front of govt offices in Basra city over corruption
Nov 25 Report Trump twice asked Abadi for Iraq’s oil in return for invading Iraq
(Musings On Iraq Why Did Trump Ask Iraq For Its Oil?)
Nov 25 Report Rebuilding in Sinjar hindered by different armed groups in dist ISF People’s
Protection Unit Hashd Yazidi Protection Unit all in area Didn’t cooperate Hashd used dist to move men into Syria 3000 Yazidis still lived on Mount Sinjar and didn’t return home
Nov 27 Report Electricity Min said it wanted to meet demand by summer 2019 Didn’t
happen Iraq produced 16,000 mw of electricity Demand 24,000 mw Went up to 30,000 mw during summer 30-50% of power lost to poor infrastructure Iraq wanted to import natural gas from Turkey Jordan Kuwait to power electricity plants Electricity Min had bloated staff Kuwait produced same amount of power with staff of 12,000 Iraq’s ministry had 140,000
Nov 27 Report Saudi Arabia and Qatar competing for influence with Iraqi parties Saudis
wanted to back anti-Iranian leaders Qatar had ties to both Sunni and Shiite leaders
Nov 29 Report Foreign investors said bureaucracy corruption block achieving its energy
goals Executives said takes up to 8 wks for an employee to get a visa to enter Iraq
Nov 29 Report UK security official said Quds Force cmdr Gen Suleimani authorized hit
squads to kill Iraqi critics of Iran Were sent after elections Fmr ally of PM Abadi assassinated Sadr ally killed after accused Iran of interfering in voting Adv to Ayatollah Sistani also killed after calling for Iran to stop interfering in Iraq
Nov 30 Report Abbas Combat Div said it was going to break from the Hashd and create own
administration that supported govt and followed Karbala Said Dep head of Hashd Comm Abu Muhandis should break ties with Iran before told other groups what to do
Dec 1 Protest organizers promised new wave of demonstrations in Basra Started with march
outside provincial council building demanding jobs
Dec 2 Protest at West Qurna oil field in Basra led to clash with security forces
Dec 4 Protesters clashed with police outside govt building in Basra
Dec 7 Protest in Basra demanding provincial govt resign Support protest in Baghdad
Dec 12 Report Hashd asked Abdul Mahdi govt for control of Syrian border Controlled Qaim
Anbar crossing
Dec 13 Report People fleeing villages in Diyala’s Khanaqin dist due to IS 1 month IS
attacked villages 143 times Local mayor said ISF only in area during day No night presence when IS active
(Musings On Iraq The Islamic State’s Failed Comeback In Iraq)
Dec 14 Security forces fired tear gas and live bullets to break up demonstration in Basra city
(Musings On Iraq UN Report On Violence Against Iraqi Protesters)
(Musings On Iraq United Nations Faults Iraq For Failing To Protect Protesters)
Dec 15 Govt survey 27% of youth in Iraq jobless 90% of women worked for govt 45% of
Iraqis spent less than $168/mo Sep UN found more than 20% of youth jobless in KRG Migration Min said 550,000 Iraqis left for Europe
Dec 21 Protest in Basra broken up by police Protest in Baghdad
Dec 24 Iraq in talks with Exxon and China National Petroleum Company over Southern
Integrated Project since 2015 Some parts of project been discussed for 10 years with little accomplished Included oil storage pumping export infrastructure in Basra to boost capacity and sea water project to inject water into wells
Dec 24 Report Terrorism defendants usually denied lawyer until court begins Went to court in
Ninewa Man signed confession Said he was tortured and had no lawyer Judge randomly called lawyer from court to defend him Trial lasted 4 min 2nd defendant arrested for having similar name to wanted man His lawyer said he’d been tortured and confessed Trial lasted 8 mins 3rd defendant said he signed paper while blindfolded and didn’t know it was confession Trial lasted 9 mins All 3 found guilty Iraqi intel officer thought govt wanted revenge after war and acted immorally End of Mosul Battle ISF executed anyone found in Old City ISF covered up its murders Intel officer said Hashd ran extortion racket demanding bribes or would put names on wanted lists PM Abadi dismissed any talk of abuse No investigations
(Musings On Iraq review A Stranger in Your Own City, Travels in the Middle East’s Long War)
Dec 27 Report Kataib Hezbollah accused of drug smuggling through Anbar border crossing
Dec 27 Asaib Ahl Al-Haq’s Khazali said parliament needed to vote to expel US troops from
Iraq or Hashd would force them out
Dec 29 Report IS using kidnappings for funding Kidnapped 15 people from 2 villages in
Kirkuk and Salahaddin Stole sheep Constantly attacked electricity towers in Hawija Kirkuk
Dec 30 Report KDP said it didn’t want national unity govt in KRG Said if Islamic parties
wanted to join had to be loyal to KRG and not act like opposition Positions would be based upon election results not political deals Move by KDP to assert dominance over KRG
Dec 30 Report KRG released audit report of oil industry Last 6 mo of 2017 KRG earned $3.8
bil from oil After expenses and debt payments only received $1.8 bil KRG advanced $83 bil for future oil sales
(Musings On Iraq Iraqi Kurdistan’s Failed Independent Oil Strategy)
2019
Jan 2 PM Abdul Mahdi announced new Supreme Anti-Corruption Council to combat the
problem
(Musings On Iraq Corruption In Iraq An Interview With Stuart Bowen Special Inspector General for Iraq Reconstruction)
(Musings On Iraq Iraq’s Trouble Fighting Corruption Interview With Vincent Foulk Former US Anti-Graft Official)
Jan 2 Foreign Min Hakim said Iraq didn’t have to follow US sanctions on Iran
Jan 2 KRG Health Min said over 1000 doctors left Kurdistan in last 4 yrs due to economic
crisis
Jan 2 KDP Asayesh raided house of PUK official in Irbil PUK general said KDP tried to
kidnap his son Was allegedly retaliation for arrest of KDP official’s son
Jan 5 Report IS active in northern Muqdadiya dist central Diyala Stopping farming Carried
out night attacks and set up checkpoints
(Musings On Iraq The Islamic State’s Failed Comeback In Iraq)
Jan 6 Report after Baiji refinery freed equipment stolen Investigation was opened but then
closed due to pressure from Iran Looting done by Hashd
Jan. 7 Report Kurds in Taq Taq in Dibs district northern Kirkuk fled due to IS Insurgents
warned residents to leave or be attacked
(Musings On Iraq The Islamic State’s Failed Comeback In Iraq)
Jan 8 Human Rights Watch KRG tortured children to get confessions about IS Children
said 2017-18 Asayesh tortured them Most never saw lawyer Boys confessed due to torture
Jan 8 Report Complaints about arrests extortion uncontrolled shooting by tribes and Hashd
in Mosul Qayara Rabiya Sharouq Tikrit Ramadi Hit Haditha Qaim
Jan 9 PUK arrested PKK members and shut down its office in Garmiyan PUK raided
office of Kurdistan Free Society Movement Arrested 9 members
Jan 9 Report PM Abdul Mahdi ordered KRG flags to be removed from govt buildings in
Kirkuk PUK put up KRG flags day before
Jan 10 Report Some Hashd turned to crime like extortion Some blocked Sunnis from
returning to their homes saying they were IS sympathizers Parts of Babil and Diyala gone through demographic changes as a result Nov 2017 Qaim freed from IS Hashd said 1500 farms in dist were in security zone and wouldn’t allow anyone back 2019 1000s of acres of land in Qaim empty Dist under Kataib Hezbollah control Used Qaim to send fighters into Syria
(Musings On Iraq Expansion of the Hashd al-Shaabi’s influence In Iraq, Interview With Clingendael’s Erwin van Veen)
Jan 10 Report Trump said US spent $7 tril in Mideast and got nothing for it Said he wanted
Iraq’s oil as repayment Natl Sed Adv McMaster said he couldn’t do that Businessman said when Energy Sec Perry went to Iraq in Dec 2018 he told Iraqis that if they signed deals with US companies Trump admin would give them exemptions from Iran sanctions
Jan 13 PUK official said 30,000 bar/day smuggled from Kirkuk oil field to Sulaymaniya
Jan 16 Federal Police told Hashd they had to disarm before entering Kirkuk hospital They
refused Led to gun battle
Jan 18 Report People fleeing Khanaqin Dist Diyala due to IS attacks Last 16 days 10 attacks
in Khanaqin and Jalawla Over 20 villages empty of people
(Musings On Iraq The Islamic State’s Failed Comeback In Iraq)
Jan 18 Report UN said Abdul Mahdi govt wasn’t fulfilling promises to help displaced Govt
hadn’t provided all the aid promised and hadn’t sped up reconstruction
Jan 19 Protests in Baghdad Dhi Qar Diwaniya Karbala Babil Demonstrators burned Asaib
Ahl Al-Haq HQ in Najaf
Jan 19 Report Anbar security comm said that tribes were threatening families not to return
because accused of being IS sympathizers
Jan 19 Report 2 mayors in Assyrian towns in Ninewa Plains said people were leaving due to
lack of jobs and services
Jan 20 Report Nov 30 MPs from Nineaw told PM Abdul Mahdi Hashd smuggling oil in
Ninewa Said that they had govt protection Were using Hashd vehicles to smuggle oil from Qayara refinery Parliament set up committee to investigate Found economic offices of some Hashd units in Ninewa controlled businesses and real estate Abdul Mahdi said he closed down offices Only half of them closed
(Musings On Iraq Expansion of the Hashd al-Shaabi’s influence In Iraq, Interview With Clingendael’s Erwin van Veen)
Jan 20 Report Survey found that high number of businesses said equipment stolen or
damaged or factories destroyed 69% of construction businesses and 66% of food businesses had been looted or destroyed during war vs IS Businesses lacked money
Jan 22 Report Ninewa govt banned journalists from going to Old City Mosul Said all stories
and photos needed to be approved by him before published
Jan 23 Report Supreme Court ruled articles of Iraqi National Oil Company law
unconstitutional Cabinet would have to amend bill
Jan 23 Report Head of Abu Saida dist central Diyala said most villages in south part of dist
under IS control Said ISF constantly targeted Said 4 villages used as IS bases Diyala police chief denied story
(Musings On Iraq The Islamic State’s Failed Comeback In Iraq)
Jan 24 Salahaddin councilman said IS active in Hamrin Mts Said villages were attacked and
IS kidnapping people
Jan 24 Saudi Prince bin Salman called PM Abdul Mahdi PM also met with Saudi ambassador
and asked him to visit Riyadh
Jan 25 Sit in protest in Abu Saida subdist central Diyala over IS night attacks Diyala MP called
for ISF to be sent to Abu Said because towns being hit every night by IS mortars
(Musings On Iraq The Islamic State’s Failed Comeback In Iraq)
Jan 25 Report on Qaraqosh Christian town in Ninewa IS controlled town 2014-16 Entire
population left and was destroyed Christian Ninewa Plains Protection Unit trained by US was supposed to secure area but given no equipment or supplies Shabak Hashd arrived but turned away by residents Christians considered Shabaks threat because were taking over area Babylon Brigades arrived in city led by Christian aligned with Shiite parties Summer 2017 Ninewa Protection Unit and Babylon Brigades began feuding Ninewa Protection Unit arrested member of Babylon Brigades for stealing Suspect turned over to police Babylon Brigades raided Ninewa Protection Unit HQ in retaliation Bishop intervened and called on PM Abadi for help PM sent task force to Qaraqosh Jul 2017 Babylon Brigades told to leave town Dec 2017 fight broke out at Qaraqosh Univ when Shiite Arab allegedly insulted Christian student Ninewa Plains Unit and Shabak Hashd got involved Bishop and Najaf clergy intervened
Jan 28 Committee to Protect Journalists condemned KRG for shutting down NRT over
covering protests at Turkish base in KRG
Jan 28 Report Turkey had 20 military bases in Irbil and Dohuk
Jan 29 Report PM Abdul Mahdi issued new order to create anti-corruption council Officials
were to disclose finances Ministries and commissions to develop plans to monitor programs and policies Govt was to create anti-corruption strategy Parliament was to pass anti-corruption law Make anti-corruption agencies to cooperate Make judiciary independent Nothing happened
Jan 30 Report Analyst from Atlantic Council said Iraq budget full of waste $52 bil for govt
salaries and pensions Up 15% from 2018 $27.8 bil for investment
Jan 31 Report 2 ops conducted to break up oil smuggling in Kirkuk Most smuggling
connected to political parties and Hashd Also protected by ISF Iraqi forces often forced way into smuggling rings rather than stopped them 1 op broken up smuggled oil to Sulaymaniya ISF charged $3000 per tanker truck Hashd now involved in smuggling and working with PUK
Feb 2 Pro-Iran Hashd fired rockets at U.S. advisers at Al-Asad air base in Anbar
(Musings On Iraq Pro-Iran Hashd Brigades And Now Israeli Strikes Making A Joke Of PM Mahdi’s Claims Iraq Neutral In Regional Conflicts)
Feb 2 Jordan signed deal to deliver electricity to Iraq Iraq would provide oil in return
Feb 3 Trump said US spent so much money on a base in Iraq that it owned it Said US
would be staying in Iraq to watch Iran Angered ant-US parties
Feb 3 Writer assassinated in Karbala Criticized Iran on 40th anniversary of Iranian revolution
Feb 5 Report Pentagon said IS regrouping in Iraq faster than in Syria Said if Sunni grievances
not addressed IS could return
Feb 5 Report PM Abdul Mahdi said he would address poor governance 100 days into govt
and nothing changed Said he wanted to pick his own ministers Only picked 5 out of 22 Others stuck in dispute between ruling parties 2019 budget maintained status quo with most money going to salaries and security rather than development and rebuilding
Feb 5 Babil govt said Jurf al-Sakhr dist a threat to province Said IS trying to infiltrate dist
from Baghdad and Anbar Was excuse to keep dist empty of people
Feb 5 Report Babil’s Jurf al-Sakhr dist empty of people 4 yrs after liberated 60% of area
ruined IS still operating there Was logistics hub for insurgency before Babil Karbala Najaf would have to make deal to allow people to return Because along pilgrimage routes MP said 65,000 displaced from dist 2018 Babil governor refused to allow any returns claiming would allow IS back
Feb 6 PM Abdul Mahdi repeated that Iraq would not take part in sanctions against Iran
Feb 7 Report 2019 budget included 27% increase in spending from 2018 Had 24% increase
in govt salaries Violated IMF loan agreement that required halting pay raises
Feb 8 UK investigation found Petrofac paid $730 mil in bribes to win contracts in Iraq Head
of sales pleaded guilty to 11 counts of bribery
Feb 11 Report Trump admin pushed Iraq to stop buying electricity from Iran PM Abadi said
he wouldn’t follow US sanctions on Iran US said Iraq had until Mar 2019 to end importing power from Iran Iraq said had no substitute US wanted Iraq to buy electricity from Saudi Arabia Jordan or Kuwait Pushed Iraq to sign contracts with foreign companies to develop natural gas to fuel power plants Didn’t happen
Feb 12 Report US Justice Dept investigating Sallyport Global to see if bribed Iraqi officials
Maliki tied to Kuwait company that allegedly sold access to Iraqi officials to US contractors Sallyport supplied Balad Air Base in Salahaaddin Jan 2014 Sallyport won $1.1 bil contract to service train and secure base for US Air Force Beforehand made deal with Afaq company Defense Min official said Afaq promised money to official in return for giving Sallyport contract for Balad Fmr Sallyport official said Afaq helped win govt approval for contract Afaq allegedly controlled by Maliki and involved his son and son in law Maliki allegedly got kickback for Sallyport contract Sallyport agreed to split profits from Balad with Afaq 2016 Sallyport stopped paying Afaq Aug 2016 Afaq sued Sallyport and lost
(Musings On Iraq US Company Paid Off PM Maliki To Service And Rob Iraqi Military Base)
Feb 13 Report Hashd took over scrap metal business in Mosul Sell metal to KRG Did same
thing in Anbar
Feb 13 Report Fatah gave Hashd control of one of largest state owned construction
companies Would get reconstruction contracts Hashd also involved in smuggling to Syria and Turkey
(Musings On Iraq Expansion of the Hashd al-Shaabi’s influence In Iraq, Interview With Clingendael’s Erwin van Veen)
Feb 17 Report US military said more than 1000 IS fighters fled Syria into western Iraq last 6
months
Feb 17 Report Human Rights Observatory said 1000s of displaced unable to return to Baiji dist
Salahaddin 3 yrs after freed People didn’t trust govt to provide jobs or security 12,000 homes destroyed 10,000 damaged Some security forces refuse to allow people to return
Feb 18 Report Hashd involved in extrajudicial killings detentions abuse looting destroyed
homes Stopped some displaced from returning IS families discriminated against KRG seized disputed territories after Mosul fell in 2014 Intimidated and forced out Arabs in many places Blocked returns Destroyed squatter settlements around Kirkuk city KRG destroyed 60 Sunni Arab villages in disputed areas in 2016 KRG expelled 12,000 Arab and Turkmen displaced in 2016 KRG Pres Barzani said KRG would not allow Sunni Arabs to return to villages that had been Arabized by Saddam KRG forces blocked returns to 3 Arab villages in Suleimen Beq dist in Salahaddin Areas in Ninewa called IS districts were destroyed and displaced blocked from returning Asaib Ahl Al-Haq and Kataib Hezbollah blamed for most abuses during war vs IS Hashd looted destroyed property and other abuses in Baiji Dour Tikrit Shirqat in Salahaddin 2014 Kataib Hezbollah rounded up displaced and detained all the men 2016 300 men were still missing and presumed dead 2016 Kataib Hezbollah detained 1500 in Saqlawiya in Anbar and tortured them When ISF took control of an area far fewer reports of abuses Hashd ran checkpoints known for kidnapping people MPs accused Hashd of detaining 2200 at checkpoint and few seen again After Baiji dist in Salahaddin freed Kataib Hezbollah and Asaib Ahl Al-Haq looted and destroyed homes Local Hashd units of Shiite Turkmen in Tuz Kharmato dist Salahaddin kicked out Sunnis from mixed neighborhoods in Tuz Kharmato city
Feb 19 Committee to Protect Journalists Iraqi group found 15 examples of reporters attacked
arrested stopped from reporting on protests by ISF and Hashd 5 journalists left Basra after threats and abuse
Feb 25 Human Rights Watch Aid workers and lawyers harassed and arrested in Ninewa Some
charged with terrorism Since Jan 2018 22 cases
Feb 26 Report Oil Min Ghadban said KRG unlikely to meet its quota of 250,000 bar/day of oil
exports for Baghdad in return for monthly budget payments Said because KRG sold its future sales to companies like Rosneft for $3 bil loan
(Musings On Iraq Iraqi Kurdistan’s Failed Independent Oil Strategy)
Feb 27 Report Almost 20,000 doctors left Iraq due to low wages and threats Tribes harassed
doctors
Feb 29 Report Head of Central Bank of Iraq said he was focused on fighting corruption 2015
law criminalized money laundering and financing terrorism Created anti-money laundering council at Central Bank State Dept said money laundering convictions up 2017 Jun 2018 Iraq taken off list of countries failing to deal with money laundering Done because laws passed not whether effective
Mar 2 Report 50 MPs submitted bill in Feb to review Status of Forces Agreement with US Pro-
Iran parties called for US withdrawal Kataib Hezbollah spokesman claimed 31 US bases and 34,000 US troops in Iraq US said 5200 troops in Iraq and no bases Said US in Iraq at request of govt
Mar 4 Report 80 New Generation members including 2 leaders arrested by Asayesh in
Sulaymaniya for protesting arrest of leader Leader charged with defamation and insulting govt workers Part of crackdown on dissent by PUK
Mar 6 Report Crescent Petroleum and Dana Gas signed 20 yr deal to develop natural gas in
KRG Supposed to boost production 63% in 2 yrs Supposed to boost production at Khor Mor field
Mar 7 Report Turkey said would start filling new dam on Tigris despite Iraqi protests Dams in
Turkey one main cause of water shortages in Iraq
Mar 8 Report US military moving on from Iraq Focused upon conventional warfare US
army resisted publishing its history of Iraq War Finished in 2016 but not released until 2019 Vice Chief of Staff of the Army said wasn’t published because didn’t fit military’s doctrine
(Musings On Iraq U.S. Government Continues To Try To Forget About The Iraq War)
Mar 8 Report KRG PM Barzani said government workers would be paid in full from now on
Didn’t happen
Mar 10 Abadi claimed only 8 women and children died in taking Old City in Mosul
from IS Reporter told Abadi she’d seen dozens of bodies in morgue and rubble Abadi didn’t accept that
(Musings On Iraq Iraq’s Former PM Abadi Claimed Only 8 Civilians Killed In Mosul Battle)
Mar 10 Badr head Amiri arrived in Basra Sent by PM Abdul Mahdi to head reconstruction
council for Basra Had no executive power Protesters said Badr had shot demonstrators
Mar 10 KRG Finance Minister said KRG owed govt workers around $10 bil in unpaid wages
and pensions Result of failed oil plan and disputes with Baghdad that ended budget payments
Mar 10 Iranian official said Tehran using Iraq to get around US sanctions
Mar 11 Iranian Pres Rouhani came to Iraq to increase economic ties to avoid US sanctions
Mar 12 Iraq’s military air traffic control pressured by Hashd to restrict US drone flights
over Babil’s Jurf al-Sakhr Was large Kataib Hezbollah base
(Musings On Iraq Instrument Of Iran’s Power In Iraq And Syria Kataib Hezbollah)
Mar 14 Saudi Trade Minister arrived in Baghdad Said Arar border crossing would re-open
Closed since 1990 invasion of Kuwait
Mar 17 Report PM Abdul Mahdi said intl community should pay for rebuilding Iraq Most of
West Mosul still destroyed 2 years after war ended Estimated $1-2 bil needed to rebuild city 2019 budget only included $120 mil for reconstruction in Ninewa Intl donors had committed hundreds of millions to Mosul Held up by govt red tape EU Amb to Iraq said govt had no plan for rebuilding Mosul
(Musings On Iraq Iraq Has No Reconstruction Plan For War Torn Areas)
Mar 17 PKK Sinjar Resistance Units blocked army at checkpoint in west Sinjar Led to 1
hour gun battle
Mar 19 Army tried to expel PKK’s Sinjar Resistance Unit from Sinjar Led to 2nd armed
clash
Mar 27 Warrant issued for ex-Ninewa Gov Akoub after he was dismissed for ferry sinking
Accused of corruption
Mar 30 Report Abdul Mahdi govt not spending on rebuilding war torn areas Mosul needed
est $2 bil for rebuilding All of Ninewa only got $250 mil in 2019 budget Anbar got $150 mil Salahaddin got $170 mil Baghdad hadn’t sent budgets to provinces yet Provinces only had until end of 2019 to spend money otherwise went back to Baghdad
Mar 30 Speaker Halbusi said would take until 2022 to lesson Iraq’s dependency upon
electricity imports Asked US for 3 yrs waivers on Iranian sanctions as a result By 2022 Iraq still dependent on Iranian energy
Apr 1 2nd time PM Abdul Mahdi issued executive order telling Hashd to leave Mosul and
Ninewa Plains Was ignored again
Apr 3 Iraq and Lebanon signed oil deal Iraq would send oil Lebanon would pay with
medical services Lebanese govt didn’t control those services and couldn’t use Iraq’s crude for its power plants Would use Iraqi oil to buy petroleum from companies
(Musings On Iraq Iraq-Lebanon Sign Trade Deal That Doesn’t Make Any Sense)
Apr 4 Report State Dept said Iran killed 608 US troops in Iraq from 2003-11 Provided
militias with weapons and training Planned attacks upon US forces
(Musings On Iraq interview with Galen Wright of Arkenstone blog on Iranian arms shipments to Iraqi militias)
(Musings On Iraq Iran’s Policy Towards Iraq)
Apr 4 Saudis opened consulate in Baghdad 1st in 30 yrs Talked about investing in Iraq
Apr 7 Report IS based in Mount Qarachogh in Makhmour dist of Ninewa Charging taxes
and extorting money from locals
(Musings On Iraq Can The Islamic State Make A Comeback In Iraq Part 1? Interview With Washington Institute for Near East Policy’s Michael Knights)
(Musings On Iraq Can The Islamic State Make A Comeback In Iraq Part 2? Interview With Il Foglio’s Daniele Raineri)
Apr 7 Report Peshmerga said 250 IS members settled in Hamrin Mts Came from Syria
(Musings On Iraq The Islamic State’s Failed Comeback In Iraq)
Apr 10 PM Abdul Mahdi said his govt trying to stop US designating Iranian Revolutionary
Guard as a terrorist group Said could have negative impact on Iraq
Apr 12 Iran’s ambassador to Iraq said 100s of Hashd went to Iran to help with flooding
Hezbollah al-Nujaba one group that went Reportedly Quds Force cmdr Gen Suleimani asked Hashd to come
Apr 13 Report ISF raid into Hamrin Mts captured large number of IS documents Covered
new leaders and plans Used Hamrin to operate in Diyala and Salahaddin Group wanted to reorganize and return after its defeat
(Musings On Iraq Can The Islamic State Make A Comeback In Iraq Part 1? Interview With Washington Institute for Near East Policy’s Michael Knights)
(Musings On Iraq Can The Islamic State Make A Comeback In Iraq Part 2? Interview With Il Foglio’s Daniele Raineri)
Apr 15 Report 2012 Gazprom signed deal for 2 oil blocks in KRG Feb 2016 Rosneft signed
$2.1 bil deal to help KRG pay Dana Gas and Crescent Petroleum that had taken KRG to court over $2.24 bil they were owed Mar 2016 KRG offered oil assets to Turkey in return for $5 bil in debt forgiveness and cash Turkey already lent KRG $1 bil to help with financial problems Sep 2017 KRG signed $1 bil deal with Rosneft for gas pipeline to Turkey which was never built Oct 2017 KRG said it sold 60% of its share of Turkish oil pipeline to Rosneft for $1.8 bil Rosneft didn’t make any money from any of its deals with KRG
(Musings On Iraq Iraqi Kurdistan’s Failed Independent Oil Strategy)
Apr 15 Govt said Basra Maysan Anbar routes for drug trafficking across Middle East Said
increase in drug abuse in Barsa
Apr 17 Iraq and Saudi Arabia signed political and economic deals Made during PM Abdul
Mahdi’s trip to Riyad
Apr 19 Report Iraq facing difficulties cutting 1.061 mil/bar/day in oil production to meet
OPEC+ quota If cut production run by intl companies would have to pay them for loses Would cut production at state run fields first and not meet quota
Apr 19 Migration Min Mousa said ministry would close displaced file in Ninewa in 2020
Following plan to return all displaced Didn’t happen
Apr 19 Hashd commander said security vacuum from northeast Diyala into east Salahaddin
and south Kirkuk Exploited by IS who have bases there
(Musings On Iraq Can The Islamic State Make A Comeback In Iraq Part 1? Interview With Washington Institute for Near East Policy’s Michael Knights)
(Musings On Iraq Can The Islamic State Make A Comeback In Iraq Part 2? Interview With Il Foglio’s Daniele Raineri)
Apr 22 Integrity Commission found $64 mil for rebuilding in Mosul stolen by Ninewa
officials
(Musings On Iraq Corruption In Iraq An Interview With Stuart Bowen Special Inspector General for Iraq Reconstruction)
(Musings On Iraq Iraq’s Trouble Fighting Corruption Interview With Vincent Foulk Former US Anti-Graft Official)
Apr 22 Report Iraq becoming more dependent upon Iranian electricity and natural gas
imports Had no alternatives
Apr 22 Report Feb Ninewa official said all displaced had returned to Baaj dist Then said
they had all been displaced again Hashd blocked all returns
Apr 22 Report 30 towns in west Mosul abandoned over last 10 months due to IS Insurgents
stealing money killing residents that stood up to them 3000 people fled
(Musings On Iraq The Islamic State’s Failed Comeback In Iraq)
Apr 23 Report Integrity Commission said $60 mil stolen by govt officials under Ninewa
Gov Akoub $40 mil came from reconstruction funds for Mosul $6 mil recovered
(Musings On Iraq Corruption In Iraq An Interview With Stuart Bowen Special Inspector General for Iraq Reconstruction)
(Musings On Iraq Iraq’s Trouble Fighting Corruption Interview With Vincent Foulk Former US Anti-Graft Official)
Apr 26 Report Hashd office raided 5 Hashd brigades in Feb accused of crimes Shut down
100 fake Hashd groups
Apr 27 Report IS families discriminated against in displaced camps Banned from returning
home Couldn’t get ID cards Some raped by ISF Some families not even connected to IS Some families placed in camp in Ninewa because opposed local sheikh
Apr 29 IS leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi appeared in video 1st since 2014
Apr 29 Report IS families discriminated against in displaced camps Banned from returning
home Can’t get ID cards Some raped by ISF Some families not even connected to IS Some families placed in camp in Ninewa because opposed local sheikh
May 1 Asaib Ahl Al-Haq fired rockets at U.S. advisers at Taji base in Baghdad
(Musings On Iraq Pro-Iran Hashd Brigades And Now Israeli Strikes Making A Joke Of PM Mahdi’s Claims Iraq Neutral In Regional Conflicts)
(Musings On Iraq Asaib Ahl Al-Haq From A Breakaway Sadr Militia To Defenders Of Iraq)
May 2 Sheikh Mahlawi head of Abu Mahal tribe in Anbar said IS families should not return
because they would be killed
May 4 Integrity Comm found $64 mil stolen from Mosul rebuilding by Ninewa officials and
fmr Gov Aqub
May 4 Report Little of Mosul rebuilt despite 750 bil dinars in 2018 and 280 bil dinars in
2019 and intl donations Ninewa Council said parties and Hashd controlling projects
(Musings On Iraq Expansion of the Hashd al-Shaabi’s influence In Iraq, Interview With Clingendael’s Erwin van Veen)
May 6 Report Iraq told US it needed to import gas and electricity from Iran Said wouldn’t
be self-sufficient until 2-3 yrs when projects completed Wasn’t self-sufficient in 2-3 yrs
May 7 Interior Min Inspector General said ministry spent 495 mil dinars on bomb sniffing
dogs that were only worth 105 mil dinars
(Musings On Iraq Corruption In Iraq An Interview With Stuart Bowen Special Inspector General for Iraq Reconstruction)
(Musings On Iraq Iraq’s Trouble Fighting Corruption Interview With Vincent Foulk Former US Anti-Graft Official)
May 7 Sec State Pompeo warned of retaliation if Americans killed by Hashd attacks in Iraq
May 7 KDP and PUK agreed to amend KRG Presidency Law to create 2 VPs Was so PUK
and Gorran could each have a VP
May 7 Abdu Mahdi govt said it would talk to Turkey about withdrawing its troops Nothing
happened
May 7 Human Rights Watch Natl Reconciliation Comm presented plan to PM Abdul Mahdi
to arrest 280,000 IS families and put them into camps Supposed to receive deradicalization classes vocational training
May 8 Pro-Iran Hashd said they would attack US if it attacked Iran Came after Sec State
Pompeo threatened retaliation if Hashd killed any Americans in Iraq
May 10 Report Anti-Corruption Council threatened to charge media if didn’t provide
evidence within 2 weeks about corruption stories they reported 2 fmr MPs said council trying to stop talking about corruption rather than going after corruption
May 12 Report Saudis offered to re-open border crossing closed since 1990 Also re-open
embassy Offered to build sports stadium
May 13 Mansour Marid elected Ninewa governor Set off controversy in Baghdad as various
politicians claimed vote was rigged by bribes Part of power struggle between Sunni factions
(Musings On Iraq New Ninewa Governor Surrounded In Bribery Accusations Over His Election)
May 13 Speaker Halbusi said he was leaving Axis Alliance to form his own bloc Iraqi
Forces Alliance Would be start of building up his own power base
May 13 Integrity Commission said it found corrupt deal between Basra Oil Company and 2
foreign companies worth $126 mil
May 13 Report IS had cave network in Badush Ninewa Carrying out attacks kidnappings
extortion ISF arbitrary in response Human Rights Watch documented torture to get confessions Badush was IS base before it seized Mosul in 2014
(Musings On Iraq Can The Islamic State Make A Comeback In Iraq Part 1? Interview With Washington Institute for Near East Policy’s Michael Knights)
(Musings On Iraq Can The Islamic State Make A Comeback In Iraq Part 2? Interview With Il Foglio’s Daniele Raineri)
May 13 IS started burning farms in Qara Tapa dist northern Diyala
(Musings On Iraq The Islamic State’s Failed Comeback In Iraq)
May 14 Speaker Halbusi referred several MPs to Anti-Corruption Council claiming they
were involved in bribing Ninewa councilmen to vote for new Gov Marid Led to MPs leaving Axis Alliance and others to call for removing Halbusi
(Musings On Iraq New Ninewa Governor Surrounded In Bribery Accusations Over His Election)
May 14 Kataib Hezbollah launched drones from Babil that hit 2 Saudi pumping stations
(Musings On Iraq Pro-Iran Hashd Brigades And Now Israeli Strikes Making A Joke Of PM Mahdi’s Claims Iraq Neutral In Regional Conflicts)
(Musings On Iraq Pro-Iran Hashd Becoming A Regional Force For Tehran)
(Musings On Iraq Instrument Of Iran’s Power In Iraq And Syria Kataib Hezbollah)
May 14 IS burned fields in Makhmour Ninewa
May 15 State Dept ordered non emergency workers out of US embassy due to threats from
Iran Germany and Holland suspended training program for Iraqi army Exxon workers evacuated from Basra
(Musings On Iraq Did The US Detect A Credible Threat From Iran Or React To Iran Preparing For US Attack?)
May 15 Sadr conducted another purge of his movement Dismissed some of his leading
aides Led to protests in Karbala Qadisiya Najaf In Najaf guard opened fire killing 4 wounding 17 Led to riot
(Musings On Iraq New Sadr Purge Of His Movement Leads To Violence In Najaf)
May 16 Report Iran’s Quds Force Cmdr Gen Suleimani met with Tehran’s allies in Baghdad
telling them to mobilize for a possible confrontation with US
(Musings On Iraq Tehran And Its Allies Respond Asymmetrically To Trump Admin’s Iran Policy)
(Musings On Iraq Iranian Revolutionary Guards’ Commander General Suleimani And His Role In Iraq, An Interview With The New Yorker’s Dexter Filkins)
May 16 Head of Axis list Khamis al-Khanjar said he wanted to remove Speaker Halbusi
Accused Halbusi of turning on Axis
May 17 Diyala MP called on ISF to deploy to rural Khanaqin dist to deal with IS Said locals
had to set up own security forces because no govt presence
May 18 Report Exxon withdrawing some of its staff from Basra due to US-Iran tensions
(Musings On Iraq Did The US Detect A Credible Threat From Iran Or React To Iran Preparing For US Attack?)
May 18 Report IS burned fields in Jalawla Muqdadiya Qara Tappa in Diyala Also in
Salahaddin Attacked village south of Mosul burned 20 homes 4th time attacked in 2 wks Govt said it would arm villages in area People from 30 villages fled in Ninewa
(Musings On Iraq Can The Islamic State Make A Comeback In Iraq Part 1? Interview With Washington Institute for Near East Policy’s Michael Knights)
(Musings On Iraq Can The Islamic State Make A Comeback In Iraq Part 2? Interview With Il Foglio’s Daniele Raineri)
(Musings On Iraq The Islamic State’s Failed Comeback In Iraq)
May 19 Rocket fired at Baghdad’s Green Zone by pro-Iran group 1st attack on Green Zone
since Sep 2018
(Musings On Iraq Pro-Iran Hashd Brigades And Now Israeli Strikes Making A Joke Of PM Mahdi’s Claims Iraq Neutral In Regional Conflicts)
May 19 Trade Minister said IS burning farms in Diyala and Ninewa Burned 500 acres of
wheat and barely Trying to extort money from farmers
(Musings On Iraq Can The Islamic State Make A Comeback In Iraq Part 1? Interview With Washington Institute for Near East Policy’s Michael Knights)
(Musings On Iraq Can The Islamic State Make A Comeback In Iraq Part 2? Interview With Il Foglio’s Daniele Raineri)
May 19 Report 14 villages in NWDiyala emptied of people due to IS Fires in Salahaddin
and Kirkuk set by IS
May 21 Report Hashd moved into business and extortion Charged taxes at checkpoint Took
over scrap metal business in Mosul Moved into state owned enterprises and construction companies Involved in oil smuggling in Ninewa
(Musings On Iraq Expansion of the Hashd al-Shaabi’s influence In Iraq, Interview With Clingendael’s Erwin van Veen)
May 22 Electricity Min said couldn’t find alternatives to importing Iranian electricity and
natural gas for power plants
May 22 Speaker Halbousi called for reconciliation and settle tribal disputes with IS families
Families had been attacked forced out blocked from returning home
May 23 Report locals in Khanaqin Diyala complaining about IS Burned farms in Qara Tapa
Planted IEDs in fields to drive people out
(Musings On Iraq Can The Islamic State Make A Comeback In Iraq Part 1? Interview With Washington Institute for Near East Policy’s Michael Knights)
(Musings On Iraq Can The Islamic State Make A Comeback In Iraq Part 2? Interview With Il Foglio’s Daniele Raineri)
May 24 Najaf activist’s house blown up
(Musings On Iraq UN Report On Violence Against Iraqi Protesters)
(Musings On Iraq United Nations Faults Iraq For Failing To Protect Protesters)
May 24 Army complained Hashd smuggling food and drugs in Ninewa Stopped Hashd
vehicle led to gun battle in Baaj WNinewa
(Musings On Iraq Expansion of the Hashd al-Shaabi’s influence In Iraq, Interview With Clingendael’s Erwin van Veen)
May 25 Abadi questioned how Hashd got money to buy property in Jadriya Baghdad
(Musings On Iraq Expansion of the Hashd al-Shaabi’s influence In Iraq, Interview With Clingendael’s Erwin van Veen)
May 25 PM Abdul Mahdi wanted to close displaced file by end of 2019 Was returning
families to Anbar including ones affiliated with IS Qaim refused to accept any IS families
May 25 Report IS changing tactics Attacking civilians more than ISF Trying to drive people
out of areas Attempting to extort more money for funding
(Musings On Iraq Can The Islamic State Make A Comeback In Iraq Part 1? Interview With Washington Institute for Near East Policy’s Michael Knights)
(Musings On Iraq Can The Islamic State Make A Comeback In Iraq Part 2? Interview With Il Foglio’s Daniele Raineri)
(Musings On Iraq The Islamic State’s Failed Comeback In Iraq)
May 25 IS burned 8 fields in Kirkuk
May 26 Farms burned in 4 districts of southern Kirkuk Hashd spokesman said IS was
burning fields to make farmers pay taxes which they refused
(Musings On Iraq Can The Islamic State Make A Comeback In Iraq Part 1? Interview With Washington Institute for Near East Policy’s Michael Knights)
(Musings On Iraq Can The Islamic State Make A Comeback In Iraq Part 2? Interview With Il Foglio’s Daniele Raineri)
May 26 US accused Kataib Sayid al-Shuhada and Imam Ali Brigades of foreign rockets at
Green Zone
May 27 Report Badr Kataib Hezbollah 2 Hashd brigades took over cement industry and
checkpoints in Tuz Kharmato Asaib Ahl Al-Haq and Kataib Hezbollah looted Baiji refinery after it was freed Involved in oil smuggling Took electricity wire and equipment and sold it Demanded NGOs hire them as workers or security 5 NGOs in Mosul said they had been given demands by Hashd to operate there Hashd controlled scrap yard in Mosul Set up their own businesses Bought land around Mosul Worked with politicians
(Musings On Iraq Expansion of the Hashd al-Shaabi’s influence In Iraq, Interview With Clingendael’s Erwin van Veen)
(Musings On Iraq Badr Organization A View Into Iraq’s Violent Past And Present)
(Musings On Iraq Asaib Ahl Al-Haq From A Breakaway Sadr Militia To Defenders Of Iraq)
(Musings On Iraq Instrument Of Iran’s Power In Iraq And Syria Kataib Hezbollah)
May 27 Report Axis Coalition led by Ahmed and Jamal Jabouri and Khamis al-Khanjar
wanted to replace Speaker Halbousi Osama Nujafi tried to create new Sunni list to back Halbusi
May 28 Nechirvan Barzani elected KRG president PUK boycotted session accused KDP of
not following power sharing deal
May 28 Turkey began new military campaign in KRG vs PKK
May 28 Students marched in Dhi Qar over lack of electricity and water Graduates from
Basra Oil Company training demanded jobs
(Musings On Iraq Summer Approaches And Early Protests Begin In South Iraq)
May 29 Report PM Abdul Mahdi coming under pressure for budget payments to KRG KRG
supposed to export 250,000 bar/day in oil under 2019 budget but didn’t KRG supposed to turn over tariffs from border crossing but wasn’t
May 29 Report North Oil Company sued KRG to try to get back control of Khurmala Dome
oil field in Kirkuk Field provides up to 1/3 of KRG’s oil production Dome used to be under Baghdad’s control 2008 Peshmerga seized it Oil Min made informal agreement to allow KRG to maintain it
May 29 Report Up to 1000 IS fighters entered Iraq after lost territory in Syria Have tunnel
networks Work in small cells of 5-10 men
(Musings On Iraq Can The Islamic State Make A Comeback In Iraq Part 1? Interview With Washington Institute for Near East Policy’s Michael Knights)
(Musings On Iraq Can The Islamic State Make A Comeback In Iraq Part 2? Interview With Il Foglio’s Daniele Raineri)
(Musings On Iraq The Islamic State’s Failed Comeback In Iraq)
May 29 Protesters blocked roads to West Qurna 1 and 2 oil fields in Basra calling for more
electricity
(Musings On Iraq Summer Approaches And Early Protests Begin In South Iraq)
May 31 Fmr PM Abadi resigned all his positions within Dawa
Jun 3 Report Families being forced out of Abu Saida central Diyala by IS Assassinating
locals
(Musings On Iraq Can The Islamic State Make A Comeback In Iraq Part 1? Interview With Washington Institute for Near East Policy’s Michael Knights)
(Musings On Iraq Can The Islamic State Make A Comeback In Iraq Part 2? Interview With Il Foglio’s Daniele Raineri)
(Musings On Iraq The Islamic State’s Failed Comeback In Iraq)
Jun 4 Protesters went to electricity company in Qurna Basra over shortages
(Musings On Iraq Summer Approaches And Early Protests Begin In South Iraq)
Jun 5 Marathon Oil withdrew from KRG Said it was focusing on US shale instead Had stake
in Atrush field
Jun 10 Nechirvan Barzani became new KRG president His cousin Masrour Barzani was
named prime minister the next day Solidified KDP control over KRG
(Musings On Iraq New Kurdish Govt Moving Forward Despite KDP-PUK Split)
Jun 10 Report 116 abandoned villages in south Kirkuk and northeast Diyala
Jun 11 Protests at Majnoon oil field in and Fao both in Basra over jobs services and lack of
electricity
(Musings On Iraq Summer Approaches And Early Protests Begin In South Iraq)
Jun 12 US sanctioned Iraq’s South Wealth Resources Company for helping Iran Rev Guards
avoid sanctions smuggling weapons to pro-Iran groups inside Iraq and funding Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis deputy cmdr of the Hashd and on US terror list
(Musings On Iraq US Sanctions Iraqi Company For Being Front For Iranian Revolutionary Guard)
Jun 12 Report Muthanna govt said public’s patience running out over electricity shortages
Activists said would start protests in Muthanna Basra and other provinces PM Abdul Mahdi said power production up May Electricity Min said Muthanna would get 20 hrs/day of electricity Was only getting 12
Jun 13 Hashd tried to buy land to build shrine to Iranian gen killed fighting IS Owner said no
Police linked to Hashd seized land Shiite endowment investing in Mosul Mosul officials accused Endowment of land grabs and trying to change population
(Musings On Iraq Expansion of the Hashd al-Shaabi’s influence In Iraq, Interview With Clingendael’s Erwin van Veen)
Jun 13 IS issued new video Warned Sunnis they would be killed if worked for govt
(Musings On Iraq Can The Islamic State Make A Comeback In Iraq Part 1? Interview With Washington Institute for Near East Policy’s Michael Knights)
(Musings On Iraq Can The Islamic State Make A Comeback In Iraq Part 2? Interview With Il Foglio’s Daniele Raineri)
Jun 14 Balad Air Base hit by mortar fired by pro-Iran group due to US-Iran tensions
(Musings On Iraq Pro-Iran Hashd Brigades And Now Israeli Strikes Making A Joke Of PM Mahdi’s Claims Iraq Neutral In Regional Conflicts)
(Musings On Iraq Tehran And Its Allies Respond Asymmetrically To Trump Admin’s Iran Policy)
Jun 14 Baghdad activist hit by sticky bomb before protest
(Musings On Iraq UN Report On Violence Against Iraqi Protesters)
(Musings On Iraq United Nations Faults Iraq For Failing To Protect Protesters)
Jun 15 Ayatollah Sistani rep criticized PM Abdul Mahdi for corruption and lack of services
and jobs
Jun 16 Hikma list said it was going into opposition to PM Abdul Mahdi’s govt
(Musings On Iraq Hikma’s Calls For National protests In Iraq Fizzle)
Jun 16 Rocket fired at Baghdad Military Airport by pro-Iran group due to US-Iran tensions
(Musings On Iraq Tehran And Its Allies Respond Asymmetrically To Trump Admin’s Iran Policy)
Jun 17 Rocket fired at Taji Base Baghdad by pro-Iran group due to US-Iran tensions
(Musings On Iraq Tehran And Its Allies Respond Asymmetrically To Trump Admin’s Iran Policy)
Jun 17 Report Tribal spokesman said IS demanding taxes from farmers in Tal Afar and
Mosul districts
(Musings On Iraq Can The Islamic State Make A Comeback In Iraq Part 1? Interview With Washington Institute for Near East Policy’s Michael Knights)
(Musings On Iraq Can The Islamic State Make A Comeback In Iraq Part 2? Interview With Il Foglio’s Daniele Raineri)
Jun 17 PM Abdul Mahdi issued statement that armed groups outside of the control of the
state were prohibited All Iraqi forces had to operate under his command after spate of attacks by pro-Iran groups on bases containing Americans
(Musings On Iraq PM Abdul Mahdi Orders Fuller Integration Of Hashd In Response To Attacks By Iranian Backed Groups In June)
Jun 18 Rockets fired at Ninewa Operations Command Rumaila oil field and foreign oil
company compound in Burjesia Basra by pro-Iran groups due to Iran-US tensions
(Musings On Iraq Pro-Iran Hashd Brigades And Now Israeli Strikes Making A Joke Of PM Mahdi’s Claims Iraq Neutral In Regional Conflicts)
(Musings On Iraq Tehran And Its Allies Respond Asymmetrically To Trump Admin’s Iran Policy)
Jun 19 Report PM Abdul Mahdi said armed groups should stop acting independently of the
state including those abroad meaning in Syria Said all foreign forces had to have govt permission to be in country next day rockets fired at Mosul and Basra by pro-Iran groups
Jun 19 Report Ninewa Ops Command working to remove local Hashd from province Aug
2018 and May 2019 PM Abdul Mahdi ordered them to leave but they refused
Jun 19 Protests in Basra Muthanna Dhi Qar over services ending corruption better
governance
(Musings On Iraq Summer Is here And Iraqi Protests Met With Carrots And Sticks Again)
Jun 20 Report Carnegie Middle East Center Iraq had no reconstruction strategy Needed $8
bil to rebuild after war with IS Only gotten a little from international donors Reconstruction contracts given to politicians who sold them to Turkish and Jordanian companies for millions in commissions
(Musings On Iraq Lack Of Rebuilding Plan Undermines Iraq’s Call For More Help)
Jun 21 Protests in Basra Wasit Maysan Karbala Muthanna Dhi Qar Qadisiya over corruption and electricity Sadrists held protest in Baghdad Were protests beforehand but this was first day happened across multiple provinces
(Musings On Iraq Summer Is here And Iraqi Protests Met With Carrots And Sticks Again)
Jun 22 Sunni Endowment accused Shiite Endowment of trying to seize mosques in Mosul
Jun 24 Najah al-Shammari approved as Defense Min Yassin Taha al-Yassri as Interior Min
Farouq Amin al-Shawani as Justice Min 9 months after govt formed Still no Education Min Abdul Mahdi govt formed Oct 2018
(Musings On Iraq Iraq Finally Has Defense Interior Justice Ministers)
Jun 25 Mosul residents sent letter to Ayatollah Sistani calling on him to limit Shiite
Endowment’s moves in city Was buying up property Taking over mosques
Jun 28 Report US found May drone attack upon Saudi oil facility came from Iraq not Yemen
as originally believed US told PM Abdul Mahdi had to stop these attacks Govt questioned story Done by Kataib Hezbollah
(Musings On Iraq Iraq’s PM Gives Warning to Kataib Hezbollah To Stop Rocket Attacks In Baghdad)
(Musings On Iraq PM Abdul Mahdi Orders Fuller Integration Of Hashd In Response To Attacks By Iranian Backed Groups In June)
(Musings On Iraq Pro-Iran Hashd Becoming A Regional Force For Tehran)
Jun 29 Dir Sunni Endowment in Ninewa said demographic change being forced upon city Said Shiite Endowment taking over Sunni mosques
Jun 29 Asaib Ahl Al-Haq’s Khazali claimed US using Basra protests to try to overthrow govt
and turn Iraq into next Libya
Jun 29 Report activists calling for protests every Friday Sadr talking about protests in
Baghdad along with Communists
Jun 29 Report Protest in Basra broken up by ISF Then went to homes of protesters and
arrested them
(Musings On Iraq Summer Is here And Iraqi Protests Met With Carrots And Sticks Again)
Jun 30 PM Abdul Mahdi met with UN delegation Called on intl community to help with
reconstruction more Govt had no rebuilding plan of money
Jun 30 Ninewa Gov Marid called on intl community to do more rebuilding province Said
Mosul needed $5 bil
(Musings On Iraq Lack Of Rebuilding Plan Undermines Iraq’s Call For More Help)
Jun 30 Report 1000s of tribal fighters fought for 5 yrs vs IS with no salaries and few
weapons Never accepted into Hashd Groups were restricted in what could do because feared by Shiite parties
Jun 30 Protesters clashed with police in Dhi Qar Demanded governor resign Basra governor
said he would implement demands of protesters Didn’t Protest at Rumaila oil field demanding jobs Protests in 2 other parts of Basra
Jul 1 PM Abdul Mahdi executive order Hashd part of the security forces Had to follow its
rules and orders of the commander in chief Individual names of brigades could no longer be used Could not be linked to political parties Those that did not comply by Jul 31 could no longer carry weapons Came after 7 attacks by pro-Iran groups due to US-Iran tensions and Hashd drone attack upon Saudi Arabia Was ignored
(Musings On Iraq PM Abdul Mahdi Orders Fuller Integration Of Hashd In Response To Attacks By Iranian Backed Groups In June)
(Musings On Iraq PM Mahdi Fails 1st Test Of New Hashd Order In Iraq)
(Musings On Iraq Pro-Iran Hashd Becoming A Regional Force For Tehran)
(Musings On Iraq Expansion of the Hashd al-Shaabi’s influence In Iraq, Interview With Clingendael’s Erwin van Veen)
Jul 1 Sadr said he was disbanding his Saraya al-Salam militia Didn’t do it
Jul 1 Peshmerga cmdr said 20 empty villages in Khanadin dist of Diyala due to IS attacks
(Musings On Iraq Can The Islamic State Make A Comeback In Iraq Part 1? Interview With Washington Institute for Near East Policy’s Michael Knights)
(Musings On Iraq Can The Islamic State Make A Comeback In Iraq Part 2? Interview With Il Foglio’s Daniele Raineri)
(Musings On Iraq The Islamic State’s Failed Comeback In Iraq)
Jul 3 IMF said Iraq failed to spend money on development for decades due to war bad
governance corruption Resulted in poor services Bad health and education levels Poverty Little per capita GDP growth for years Govt didn’t plan for changes in oil prices Refused structural reforms Not rebuilding after war with IS 2018 only spent 0.5% of est damage costs
(Musings On Iraq IMF Warns Iraq It Needs To Change Its Priorities But Baghdad Unresponsive)
Jul 3 Protests in Diwaniya and Dhi Qar over lack of services
Jul 4 Kataib Hezbollah said criminalizing the Hashd would hurt security Said govt should
focus on ending US occupation
Jul 4 Protests in Baghdad Diwaniya Dhi Qar over jobs and services
Jul 5 Trade Ministry announced Iraq self-sufficient in wheat Agriculture Min banned
importation of 7 crops to help Iraqi farmers Agriculture land expanded Govt provided seeds resistant to drought and salinity Also increase in rain
Jul 5 Report Aug 2018 PM Abadi ordered Hashd to leave Mosul and Ninewa Plains Also said
Hashd in Ninewa to come under Ninewa Ops Command Mar 2019 PM Abdul Mahdi repeated order Neither implemented Liwa al-Shabak and Kataib Babilyun rejected orders Liwa al-Shabak moved into Christian areas of Ninewa plains taking property looting intimidated people stopped returns of displaced blocked aid and govt groups from entering areas
(Musings On Iraq Hashd’s 30th Brigade In Ninewa Assaults Dep Governor and MP)
(Musings On Iraq Expansion of the Hashd al-Shaabi’s influence In Iraq, Interview With Clingendael’s Erwin van Veen)
Jul 7 Report Bureau of Financial Supervision and Integrity Comm said currency smuggling
and violation of dollar auctions since 2014 by private banks and companies Up to $45 bil sent out of Iraq a year
Jul 7 Basra activist kidnapped
Jul 10 Shiite Religious Endowment head Musawi had his home invaded by Asaib Ahl Al-
Haq after he said group would not leave mosque in Babil Musawi went into govt safe house afterward
(Musings On Iraq Asaib Ahl Al-Haq From A Breakaway Sadr Militia To Defenders Of Iraq)
Jul 11 Report Many pro-Iran Hashd units including Kataib Hezbollah Khorasani Brigades
Harakat Nujaba rejected PM Abdul Mahdi’s executive order that Hashd follow his orders drop names not be involved in politics
Jul 13 Dawa re-elected Maliki secretary general Abadi said it was a coup 8 members of Shura
Council boycotted vote as protest
Jul 14 Hikma called for national protests in Iraq against Abdul Mahdi govt
(Musings On Iraq Hikma’s Calls For National Protests In Iraq Fizzle)
Jul 15 UN IS defeated in war Suffered heavy losses Trying to rebuild networks and preserve
core Power being decentralized Loss of territory meant finances declined Still smuggling kidnapping extorting money selling artifacts
(Musings On Iraq Can The Islamic State Make A Comeback In Iraq Part 1? Interview With Washington Institute for Near East Policy’s Michael Knights)
(Musings On Iraq Can The Islamic State Make A Comeback In Iraq Part 2? Interview With Il Foglio’s Daniele Raineri)
Jul 17 Report Jun Dir Sunni Endowment in Ninewa said Shiite Endowment taking over
Sunni mosques in Mosul Said people being forced out of city Docs showed Shiite Endow tried to get 17 properties in Mosul Ninewa MPs held meeting with Sunni and Shiite Endows Letter sent to Ayatollah Sistani asking him to limit Shiite Endow in city Ninewa MP said Hashd illegally seizing Sunni Endow property in province
Jul 17 $800 mil allocated for rebuilding in Mosul
Jul 17 Electricity Min announced highest power production ever Was producing 19,100 mw
Baghdad got 4625 mw Demand was 6000 mw Basra got 3510 mw Need was 3800 mw Ninewa got 880 mw Need was 1600 mw
Jul 18 US Treasury sanctioned heads of 30th and 50th Hashd Brigades and ex-Ninewa Gov
Sultan and ex-Salahaddin Gov Jabouri for abuses and corruption
Jul 18 Protests in Basra Dhi Qar Diwaniya Baghdad for jobs and services
Jul 19 Hikma called for protests in 14 provinces Only happened in 7 Only few hundred
showed up in total In Basra was counter protest and rocks thrown at buses carrying away Hikma followers
(Musings On Iraq Hikma’s Calls For National Protests in Iraq Fizzle)
Jul 19 Hashd camp in Amerli, Salahaddin hit by Israeli air strikes Killed Iranian
Revolutionary Guard commander
(Musings on Iraq Pro-Iran Hashd Brigades And Now Israeli Strikes Making A Joke Of PM Abdul Mahdi’s Claims Iraq Neutral In Regional Conflicts)
Jul 19 Abadi said Hashd leaders exploiting ghost Hashd to enrich themselves Hashd
spokesman said Hashd had ghost members just like ISF
Jul 20 Report Head of Kataib al-Imam Ali in Qaim Anbar said his men crossed into Syria all
the time Said had contact with Iranians in Syria Anbar Ops head arrested on charges he provided CIA with coordinates of Hashd unit so they could be bombed Later released
Jul 21 Report Around 1000 IS fighters moved from Syria into Iraq after lost territory in Syria
IS published videos of assassinations of mayors and ISF members
Jul 22 Human Rights Watch 2018 water crisis in Basra 118,000 hospitalized due to
contaminated water Health Min said there was no problem End of Aug Basra Health Dir stormed by protesters Water in Shatt al-Arab decreased leading to sewage pollution salinity in water Were similar water problems in 2009 and 2015 Baghdad failed to deal with causes Govt didn’t tell people about poor water Investigation did nothing Govt did nothing about lower water flows Projects to clean water didn’t happen due to mismanagement and corruption
Jul 23 Spokesman for Joint Ops Command denied Wash Post story that IS was moving
into Iraq from Syria Claimed Will of Victory op blocked IS movement IS was infiltrating
Jul 24 Leader in Babylon Brigades said Chaldean patriarch had become tool of US and Israel
after he said Chaldeans should join ISF and Peshmerga rather than Hashd
Jul 27 Diyala MP called on Defense Min to defend 3 towns in NE Diyala govt said Waqf
basin in center of Diyala under IS threat Another MP said IS fighters entering Diyala from Salahaddin
Jul 28 Israel allegedly bombed Ashraf air base in Diyala targeting Hashd and Iranian
weapons
(Musings on Iraq Pro-Iran Hashd Brigades And Now Israeli Strikes Making A Joke Of PM Abdul Mahdi’s Claims Iraq Neutral In Regional Conflicts)
Jul 29 Hashd Comm head Fayad asked for 2 month extension for Hashd to follow Jul 1
Executive Order by PM Abdul Mahdi to follow PM’s orders End using names for brigades Not be involved in politics Was never followed
Jul 30 Integrity Comm said ex-Ninewa Gov Akub stole $10 mil meant for displaced
Jul 30 30th Hashd Brigade said order to withdraw from Ninewa Plains was only made orally
and didn’t come from PM Abdul Mahdi Hashd spokesman said PM would recall withdrawal order Said PM only made order because of political pressure and false stories vs Hashd Both PM Abadi and PM Abdul Mahdi ordered brigade to withdraw
(Musings On Iraq PM Mahdi Fails 1st Test Of New Hashd Order In Iraq)
(Musings On Iraq Hashd’s 30th Brigade In Ninewa Assaults Dep Governor and MP)
Jul 30 Deadline for Hashd to follow PM Abdul Mahdi’s executive order to end using names
for brigades Not be involved in politics Wasn’t followed
Jul 31 Report Israeli defense official said Iranian presence in Iraq was a threat Said Iran
moving missiles into Iraq that can reach Israel
(Musings on Iraq Pro-Iran Hashd Brigades And Now Israeli Strikes Making A Joke Of PM Abdul Mahdi’s Claims Iraq Neutral In Regional Conflicts)
Jul 31 Report Hashd took over scrap metal business in Mosul Earned millions Hashd denied
story Hashd also taken over businesses around Fallujah
(Musings On Iraq Expansion of the Hashd al-Shaabi’s influence In Iraq, Interview With Clingendael’s Erwin van Veen)
Jul 31 Report Court issued warrant for commander of 30th Hashd Brigade in Ninewa
Attacked a judge in court MP said unit tried to assassinate him
Aug 1 Report Hashd wanted to create its own command center PM Abadi and PM Abdul
Mahdi said no Wanted to create military academy
Aug 1 Report Pro-Iran Hashd made demands of PM Abdul Mahdi to follow his executive
order Said Peshmerga had to be treated the same as Hashd Law had to be passed to remove US forces Hashd needed representation within security and military institutions Hashd never followed executive order
Aug 1 Report Iraqis and companies linked to Iran used Central Bank of Iraq auctions to get
around US sanctions Used middlemen to buy dollars then sent to Iran using money exchanges
Aug 1 Report Iran moved some of its armaments like missiles to Iraq after Israeli air strikes
upon pro-Iran groups in Syria
Aug 2 Report Agriculture Min said Iraq self-sufficient in wheat 1st time since 2003 Due to
tariffs on imports
Aug 3 Hikma MP said he had docs showing Def Min Shammari appointed his brother
director of military housing dept Water Min appointed his nephews to jobs in ministry
Aug 5 Hezbollah al-Nujaba spokesman said any Iraqi govt that went against Iran would be
overthrown
Aug 5 PM Abdul Mahdi’s deadline for Hashd to withdraw from Ninewa Plains extended to
this day Nothing happened Shabak 30th Hashd Bgd held protest against it leaving
(Musings On Iraq PM Mahdi Fails 1st Test Of New Hashd Order In Iraq)
Aug 6 PM Abdul Mahdi gave into protests by 30th Brigade of Hashd who refused order to
leave Ninewa Plains and Mosul
(Musings On Iraq PM Abdul Mahdi Fails 1st Test Of New Hashd Order In Iraq)
Aug 6 Western oil company workers hit by IED in Basra Blamed on pro-Iran Hashd
Aug 6 UN said Iraq rivers dropped 1/3 Tigris and Euphrates expected to drop 50% by 2030
Iraq also facing salinization 92% of Iraq subject to desertification 100 sq km of fertile land lost each year to salinization Led to more sand and dust storms Turkey building more dams to reduce rivers
Aug 7 Shabak 30th Hashd Brigade got into gunfight with Chaldean 50th Hashd Brigade in Tal
Keif Argument led to shooting
Aug 8 Human Rights Commission said 7,663 people disappeared by political parties and
Hashd during war vs IS
Aug 8 Hashd official appointed inspector general of Defense Ministry
Aug 9 PM Abdul Mahdi gave press conference Said Hashd implementing his executive order
to be under govt control Said needed time to be completed Deadline had passed and Hashd not following
Aug 9 US sanctioned heads of Babylon Brigade and Shabak 30th Hashd Brigade Accused of
human rights violations
Aug 9 Basra activist said he and his family threatened by Hashd unless stopped protesting
Aug 10 PM Abdul Mahdi said Hashd would withdraw from Ninewa Plains Said talks
underway Hashd never withdrew
Aug 12 Explosion at Hashd base Camp Saqr in Baghdad blamed on Israeli air strike
(Musings on Iraq Pro-Iran Hashd Brigades And Now Israeli Strikes Making A Joke Of PM Abdul Mahdi’s Claims Iraq Neutral In Regional Conflicts)
Aug 13 MP said families fled 5 villages in Imam Weis dist NEDiyala because of IS attacks
(Musings On Iraq The Islamic State’s Failed Comeback In Iraq)
Aug 14 Report Jun Jul Aug x2 Sep ammo at Hashd bases blew up due to poor storage Aug
twice in Sep Hashd fired rockets at US consulate in Basra Jun fired rockets at foreign oil company camp in Basra and Balad airbase in Salahaddin Jul IEDs on logistics convoys working for US Aug western oil company workers hit with IED in Basra
Aug 14 Dynasty Petroleum filed suit vs KRG and Natural Resource Min Hawrami for
unlawful interference intimidation breach of contract Had oil deal in Sulaymaniya Hawrami demanded 20-30% of deal up front with extra payments to get deal Dynasty refused Qubad Talabani and member of KRG oil council demanded Dynasty pay Hawrami PUK intel told to intimidate company to make it pay
(Musings On Iraq Corruption In Iraq An Interview With Stuart Bowen Special Inspector General for Iraq Reconstruction)
(Musings On Iraq Iraq’s Trouble Fighting Corruption Interview With Vincent Foulk Former US Anti-Graft Official)
(Musings On Iraq Iraqi Kurdistan’s Failed Independent Oil Strategy)
Aug 15 Interior Minister Yasiri visited Babil and said no civilians could return to Jurf al-
Sakhr until secured District is a Hashd base All civilians forced out by Iraqi forces because along pilgrimage routes to Najaf and Kabala
Aug 15 50 families fled Daquq dist southern Kirkuk due to IS
(Musings On Iraq The Islamic State’s Failed Comeback In Iraq)
Aug 16 Axis Alliance blamed Hashd for 51 bodies found in Babil’s Jurf al-Sakhr Said Hashd
kidnapped and disappeared people during war vs IS Said 16,000 disappeared
Aug 16 Protests in Muthanna and Basra against abuses by ISF
Aug 19 Balad Air Base in Salahddin hit by apparent Israeli strike targeting pro-Iran Hashd
(Musings on Iraq Pro-Iran Hashd Brigades And Now Israeli Strikes Making A Joke Of PM Abdul Mahdi’s Claims Iraq Neutral In Regional Conflicts)
Aug 19 Kataib Hezbollah got Anbar Operations Command head removed Claimed he was
helping Israel and CIA
Aug 20 Israeli PM Netanyahu hinted that Israel behind attacks on Iraqi bases talked about
Iran’s growing presence in Iraq
(Musings on Iraq Pro-Iran Hashd Brigades And Now Israeli Strikes Making A Joke Of PM Abdul Mahdi’s Claims Iraq Neutral In Regional Conflicts)
Aug 21 Deputy head of Hashd Commission Abu Muhandis said US behind attack on Balad
Air Base Said US helped Israeli drones fly from Azerbaijan to hit Iraq
(Musings on Iraq Pro-Iran Hashd Brigades And Now Israeli Strikes Making A Joke Of PM Abdul Mahdi’s Claims Iraq Neutral In Regional Conflicts)
Aug 22 Head of Hashd Commission and National Security Adv Fayad said investigation into
Balad Air Base and that Dep Hashd Comm head Muhandis’ statement blaming US didn’t represent official Hashd position
(Musings on Iraq Pro-Iran Hashd Brigades And Now Israeli Strikes Making A Joke Of PM Abdul Mahdi’s Claims Iraq Neutral In Regional Conflicts)
Aug 23 2 US officials confirmed Israel behind recent air strikes on Hashd bases in Iraq
(Musings on Iraq Pro-Iran Hashd Brigades And Now Israeli Strikes Making A Joke Of PM Abdul Mahdi’s Claims Iraq Neutral In Regional Conflicts)
Aug 23 Report Israel hit 4 Hashd bases in Iraq Claimed they were sending Iranian weapons to
Syria for Iranian Rev Guard
Aug 23 Ayatollah Haeri in Iran issued fatwa forbidding US troops in Iraq
Aug 24 IS attacked village in Kirkuk Almost all residents fled Village attacked in July and 50
families left 6 villages empty of people in area
(Musings On Iraq The Islamic State’s Failed Comeback In Iraq)
Aug 25 MP on parliament’s integrity committee said Supreme Council on Corruption
worthless Said held no one accountable
Aug 25 Dep Speaker of parliament said villages in Kirkuk needed to be protected Met
delegation from Daquq dist that talked about IS attacks
(Musings On Iraq The Islamic State’s Failed Comeback In Iraq)
Aug 25 3 months after Hawija Kirkuk declared freed IS returned Set up fake checkpoints
Killed dozens Separate group White Flags also operated in district
Aug 25 6 Hashd killed 1 wounded in drone strike on 45h Brigade in Qaim Dist Anbar
(Musings On Iraq Pro-Iran Hashd Brigades And Now Israeli Strikes Making A Joke Of PM Mahdi’s Claims Iraq Neutral In Regional Conflicts)
Aug 26 Fatah said US responsible for Israeli strikes on Hashd bases Said strikes declaration of
war vs Iraq
Aug 26 15 families fled Shura dist south Ninewa due to IS attacks
Aug 27 Report Tal Afar freed 2 yrs ago Little rebuilt 20% of buildings still
damaged/destroyed Only 40% of population back People concerned about security lack of services and jobs
Aug 27 Jund al-Imam al-Huja posted video of its members training on rockets Said
Americans were legitimate targets Said followed Ayatollah Haeri fatwa who said US helped Israel attack Hashd in Iraq
Aug 28 Report 30th Hashd Brigade in Ninewa 2 months after PM Abdul Mahdi ordered it to
leave Staged protests instead Brigade commander sanctioned by US Govt gave in and allowed brigade to stay
Aug 28 Report MP on KRG finance committee said Natural Resource Ministry hadn’t shared
any info on oil contracts with parliament
Aug 28 Amnesty Intl said govt had to stop forced returns of displaced Govt began moving
100s of displaced out of southern Ninewa and Kirkuk
(Musings On Iraq Iraq Trying To End Displacement Crisis By Expelling People From Camps)
Aug 28 Human Rights Watch Govt denying education to IS kids Couldn’t enroll in school
Aug 29 Norwegian Refugee Council said Abdul Mahdi govt forcing 100s of displaced out of
govt camps and back to their homes
(Musings On Iraq Iraq Trying To End Displacement Crisis By Expelling People From Camps)
Aug 30 Kataib Sayid al-Shuhada secretary general said if there was a war with Iran
Resistance Factions would take Americans hostage in Iraq
Aug 31 ISF kicked out 671 people from displaced camps in Ninewa and sent them to camp in
Salahaddin
(Musings On Iraq Iraq Trying To End Displacement Crisis By Expelling People From Camps)
Aug 31 Report Interior Min inspector general investigation found senior ISF officials working
with crime rings to run gambling in Baghdad Also used to launder and smuggle money
Sep 2 481 displaced kicked out of camp in Ninewa and sent to Salahaddin
(Musings On Iraq Iraq Trying To End Displacement Crisis By Expelling People From Camps)
Sep 3 Report Abdul Mahdi govt wanted all displaced back home by end of 2019 Some
people forced to home areas Govt tried to send people back to Shirqat Salahaddin Protest in Shirqat against returns Some people have refused to accept displaced Salahaddin govt cancelled decision to exile IS families for 10 yrs IS families still being detained in Salahaddin
(Musings On Iraq Iraq Trying To End Displacement Crisis By Expelling People From Camps)
Sep 3 Report Oil Min Ismaael said Iraq would make extra production cuts to make up for
overproducing past OPEC+ quota Iraq continued to over produce
Sep 3 KRG started delivering electricity to central govt Baghdad would send oil fuel to
power plants in KRG in return Part of 3 yr deal
Sep 4 Hashd leader Abu Muhandis ordered that Hashd would form its own air force
Sep 4 Human Rights Watch Abdul Mahdi govt forced more than 2000 displaced out of camp
in Ninewa since end of Aug Done by army and Displacement Min
(Musings On Iraq Iraq Trying To End Displacement Crisis By Expelling People From Camps)
Sep 5 Hashd Commission denied that it was going to form own air force after Abu
Muhandis claimed it was day before
Sep 6 Report Iraq had record high oil production despite OPEC+ agreement reducing
production Iraq never followed quota
Sep 6 Human Rights Watch KRG stopped 4,200 Sunnis from returning to 12 villages east of
Mosul 1 area KRG only allowed displaced connected to KDP to return Most families fled in 2014 KRG claimed displaced free to return Then said 6 villages were off limits
Sep 8 Report Prominent women assassinated in Baghdad Sep Tara Faris popular on social
media killed leaving her house Aug Rafif al-Yasiri beauty expert found dead in home Week before Yasiri Rasha al-Hassan who ran beauty salon killed Hashd suspected in deaths
(Musings On Iraq Review What Kind of Liberation? Women and the Occupation of Iraq)
Sep 9 Report Basra still suffering water shortages Norwegian Refugee Council said 250,000
children didn’t have running water 40% of province not connected to sewage network Many had to buy water from trucks or bottled water Saltwater being drawn up from Gulf into Shatt al-Arab due to low water flow Water contaminated
Sep 9 Head of Azm district called on govt to clear Mutabeija basin along Diyala-Salahaddin
border Used as IS base
Sep 10 Electricity Min said Iraq would have to import Iranian natural gas to fuel power
plants for next 3-4 yrs Would end up being longer than that
Sep 10 Salahaddin governor said displaced camps were a security threat and would close
them
Sep 11 Checkpoint at Gogli outside Mosul 30th Hashd Brigade got into confrontation with
motorcade of Ninewa Dep Gov Rozbayani and MP Dobardani Detained 4 of their bodyguards and freed them an hour later
(Musings On Iraq Hashd’s 30th Brigade In Ninewa Assaults Dep Governor and MP)
Sep 13 Tribes in Sinsel Basin central Diyala gave ISF a week to protect them from IS
attacks
Sep 14 PM Abdul Mahdi issued Order 328 Put Hashd under Joint Ops Command It
would appoint all brigade commanders and Hashd under premier’s control Not implemented
Sep 14 Tribes blocked displaced from returning to their homes in Salahaddin Said they were
IS families Ninewa govt ordered more than 200 displaced IS families to move out of camp into new one just for them
Sep 14 Houthis claimed they launched drone strike that hit Saudi oil well Turned out to be
Kataib Hezbollah who launched drone from Iraq
(Musings On Iraq Instrument Of Iran’s Power In Iraq And Syria Kataib Hezbollah)
Sep 15 Health Min Alwan resigned over corruption and govt officials spreading
misinformation
Sep 15 Report Iraq signed deal with Gulf Cooperation Council to import electricity Didn’t
happen by 2022
Sep 15 Abdul Mahdi govt denied that Iraq used to attack Saudi oil facility Kataib Hezbollah
did launched drone strike from Iraq
Sep 16 IS head Baghdadi released new recording Said group would break its members out of
prison and displaced camps
Sep 17 PM Abdul Mahdi issued Order 331 trying to re-organize Hashd Comm and take
powers away from deputy head of Comm Abu Muhandis Never implemented
Sep 21 Report PM Abdul Mahdi approved new structure for Hashd Included 4 aides to run
operations 25 district and 7 operations commands Dep Chairman of Hashd Commission dissolved which was held by Abu Muhandis Head of Comm Fayad didn’t really run it Muhandis did
Sep 22 Unidentified airstrike on Hashd base outside Fallujah
Sep 23 Report KRG asked Baghdad to pay off its debts to oil companies operating in region
before it would meet its oil export quota under budget KRG owed $3 bil to companies
Sep 24 Iraq Human Rights Comm reported 3 mil Iraqis living in slums Baghdad had most
slum areas of any province with 3,000 followed by 700 slum areas in Basra
Sep 24 Trump met with Pres Salah Trump asked if govt could control groups shooting
rockets at Green Zone Salah said govt would take care of it and wouldn’t allow Iraq to be used by neighbors Govt didn’t stop Hashd firing rockets
Sep 25 Human Rights Watch Judges ignored torture allegations in trials
Sep 25 Report Around 100 IS in Khanaqin Diyala Exploiting gaps in security between
Peshmerga and Iraqi forces Has camps in Hamrin Mountains along Diyala-Salahaddin border
(Musings On Iraq The Islamic State’s Failed Comeback In Iraq)
Sep 30 Report Interior Min bought 4000 Mitsubishi trucks Was stopped by inspector general
over corruption questions Went ahead and then Interior Min officials were arrested afterward for inflating prices
Sep 30 Oil Min facing new corruption charges by parliament Wanted to know about high
percentage of water and impurities in oil Stalled Faw port project Lack of accounting with Basra and South Gas companies
(Musings On Iraq Corruption In Iraq An Interview With Stuart Bowen Special Inspector General for Iraq Reconstruction)
(Musings On Iraq Iraq’s Trouble Fighting Corruption Interview With Vincent Foulk Former US Anti-Graft Official)
Sep 30 Report IS families moved from Baiji to Tikrit to Shirqat in Salahaddin Are towns in
Suleiman Beq Amerli and 40 villages in surrounding area that were 100% destroyed
Oct 1 Protests in Baghdad Basra Maysan Qadisiya Dhi Qar Wasit Muthanna Babil Karbala
Najaf Four killed by security forces in Baghdad and Nasiriya Govt building in Nasiriya set on fire Demands went from jobs and services to PM Abdul Mahdi resigning by end of day
(Musigns On Iraq Iraqi Secuirty Forces Kill At Lesat 4 Protesters Creating Crisis Govt Was Hoping To Avoid)
(Musings On Iraq United Nations Faults Iraq For Failing To Protect Protesters)
(Musings On Iraq UN Report On Violence Against Iraqi Protesters)
(Musings On Iraq United Nations Faults Iraq For Failing To Protect Protesters)
Oct 1 Report Aug Abdul Mahdi govt closed Mandali border crossing between Diyala-Iran
Said informal crossing Reports that it was used for smuggling drugs Controlled by Hashd Ninewa border crossings to Syria controlled by pro-Iran Hashd US signed deal with Abadi govt to have US companies manage and secure Baghdad-Jordan highway Iran and its Iraqi allies blocked deal PKK and YPG in Sinjar controlled border crossings KDP controlled 2 border crossings Badr and Kataib Hezbollah controlled Basra-Iran crossing
Oct 2 Protests expanded from 10 to 13 provinces in Baghdad Babil Basra Dhi Qar Diyala
Karbala Kirkuk Maysan Muthanna Najaf Qadisiya Salahaddin Wasit Govt buildings in Babil Dhi Qar Maysan Najaf along with offices of Badr Dawa Supreme Council Asaib Ahl Al-Haq burned 8 protesters and policeman killed
(Musings On Iraq Iraq’s October Protests Escalate And Grow)
(Musings On Iraq UN Report On Violence Against Iraqi Protesters)
(Musings On Iraq United Nations Faults Iraq For Failing To Protect Protesters)
(Musings On Iraq Asaib Ahl Al-Haq From A Breakaway Sadr Militia To Defenders Of Iraq)
(Musings On Iraq Badr Organization A View Into Iraq’s Violent Past And Present)
Oct 2 Report Basra Water Authority engineer said not enough fresh water released into Shatt
al-Arab due to dams in neighboring countries Hurt water purification system in Shatt al-Arab Basra suffered from salinity and pollution Didn’t have funds for clean water
Oct 3 Protests in Baghdad Basra Dhi Qar Maysan Muthanna Najaf Qadisiya Wasit Protests
in Baghdad continued in different neighborhoods and some of the surrounding towns Was sniper fire at protests in Baghdad Hashd accused of driving car into protesters and killing 1 in Baghdad Police opened fire on protests in Dhi Qar 1 killed in Hilla Govt building in Dhi Qar’s Rifa stormed Plainclothes gunmen said to target protesters in Nasiriya Report 35 killed so far in unrest
(Musings On Iraq 30 Killed In Iraq Protests As PM Abdul Mahdi Again Proves How Ineffective He Is)
(Musings On Iraq UN Report On Violence Against Iraqi Protesters)
(Musings On Iraq United Nations Faults Iraq For Failing To Protect Protesters)
Oct 3 Iranian Rev Guard Hashd and ISF set up crisis cell in Baghdad to deal with protests
Iran provided intel and communications for Hashd snipers to shoot at protests Included Abu Muhandis Natl Sec Adv Fayad PM Abdul Mahdi’s chief of staff hashd leaders like Qais Khazali
(Musings On Iraq Report On Violence Used Vs Iraq Protests Covers-Up Govt Responsibility)
Oct 3 PM Abdul Mahdi gave televised speech Said he’d only been in office one year so
couldn’t expect any dramatic changes Said he’d given strict orders on use of force and protesters’ were responsible for deaths
Oct 3 Supreme Anti-Corruption Council said it dismissed 1000 govt workers for corruption
Oct 4 People marched on Tahrir Square and bridge to Green Zone in Baghdad and were shot
at by ISF 10 killed Were also clashes in Shaab Husseiniy Zafaraniya New Baghdad Shula Amil Sadr City in Baghdad More people killed in those districts Reports of snipers firing into crowds Reports of Hashd attacking protesters and raiding TV stations Crowds broken up in Basra Maysan Najaf by gunfire 3 killed by ISF in Nasiriya People were arrested when they tried to go to a hospital Govt building in Diwaniya stormed and 3 killed Protest in Muthanna
(Musings On Iraq Have Iraq’s Protests Reached A Tipping Point?)
(Musings On Iraq UN Report On Violence Against Iraqi Protesters)
(Musings On Iraq United Nations Faults Iraq For Failing To Protect Protesters)
Oct 4 Najaf governor and police chief accused saboteurs of infiltrating demonstrations and
causing violence to discredit them
Oct 4 PM Abdul Mahdi said he would create a committee to carry out reforms and fight
corruption in response to protests
Oct 4 Ayatollah Sistani used Friday sermon to condemn violence in protests and called on
parliament and courts to carry out reforms
Oct 4 Sadr ordered his Sairoon bloc to boycott parliament called for prime minister to
resign Fmr PM Abadi also called for new elections
Oct 5 Baghdad people tried to march on Tahrir Square Shot at by police killing 7 Clashes
with ISF in Zafaraniya 1 killed Police tried to shut off Sadr City leading to clashes Mortar fired into area 2 killed in Shula 5 TV stations in Baghdad attacked likely by Hashd Basra protesters arrested Nasiriya Saraya Khorasani Badr Asaib Ahl Al-Haq Dawa Communists Fadhila ISCI Hikma offices all burned in city 5 killed Police shot at crowd in Diwaniya killing 6 Kut people tried to burn dep gov’s house with 1 killed
(Musings On Iraq Govt Violence Reducing Number Of Protests In Iraq)
(Musings On Iraq UN Report On Violence Against Iraqi Protesters)
(Musings On Iraq United Nations Faults Iraq For Failing To Protect Protesters)
(Musings On Iraq Asaib Ahl Al-Haq From A Breakaway Sadr Militia To Defenders Of Iraq)
(Musings On Iraq Khorasani Brigade Another Iraq Militia That Returned Home From Syria To Fight The Insurgency)
Oct 5 PM Abdul Mahdi said he stood behind ISF after they killed protesters Interior Min
denied it attacked any demonstrations Abdul Mahdi said killed and wounded at protests would receive compensation
Oct 6 Sadr City only area in Baghdad with protest ISF fired into crowd even using RPGs 12
killed Another TV station attacked Protest in Nasiriya broken up Major arrest campaign in city Qadisiya people shot at 96 protesters killed so far PM Abdul Mahdi said he would investigate violence Nothing happened
(Musings On Iraq Govt Repression Working Against Iraq’s Protest Movement)
(Musings On Iraq UN Report On Violence Against Iraqi Protesters)
(Musings On Iraq United Nations Faults Iraq For Failing To Protect Protesters)
Oct 6 Baghdad governor resigned over protests
Oct 6 Interior Min spokesman claimed they had nothing to do with shootings of protesters
in Baghdad when they did
Oct 6 PM Abdul Mahdi announced 17 pt program to deal with protests Included subsidized
housing for poor money for jobless job training mini-loans enlistment in army compensation for dead in protests
Oct 6 Report authorities said unidentified snipers were shooting at protesters Were from pro-
Iran Hashd supported by Iran’s Quds Force
Oct 6 Asaib Ahl Al-Haq bombed Al Forat TV station office for covering protests
Oct 7 Protests in Sadr City and Diwaniya 15 killed night before in Sadr City as ISF
used heavy weapons and RPGs against crowds ISF claimed they were shot at in neighborhood Army admitted to using excessive force in Sadr City and were ordered out of district Organizers in Diwaniya said they would stop and see how govt dealt with their demands Activists in Dhi Qar said mass arrest campaign underway including journalists
(Musings On Iraq Are Iraq’s Protests Coming To An End?)
(Musings On Iraq UN Report On Violence Against Iraqi Protesters)
(Musings On Iraq United Nations Faults Iraq For Failing To Protect Protesters)
Oct 7 Pres Salah gave speech criticizing shooting protesters and promised investigation
Also promised reforms and fighting corruption
Oct 7 Natl Sec Adv Fayad claimed demonstrations plot to overthrow govt that failed and
perpetrators would be punished
Oct 7 Army admitted to using excessive force against protesters ISF raided TV stations for
covering protests Govt shut down Internet to try to stop organizing Activist kidnapped in Baghdad
Oct 8 Report Iran Qud Force cmdr Gen Suleimani went to Baghdad to help Hashd
crackdown on protests Gave orders to Hashd to use force to break up demonstrations Source said Suleimani behind shutting down Internet Attacks on journalists Closing TV stations Badr Asaib Ahl Al-Haq Sayid al-Shuhada Saraya al-Khorasani all used against protests
Oct 8 Protest in Sadr City immediately shot at and broken up by ISF
(Musings On Iraq Protests Continue In Baghdad But At Smaller Level As Iraqi Govt Promises Reforms)
(Musings On Iraq UN Report On Violence Against Iraqi Protesters)
(Musings On Iraq United Nations Faults Iraq For Failing To Protect Protesters)
Oct 8 PM Abdul Mahdi’s office claimed it made deal with organizers to hold off on
demonstrations until after Arbaeen ended Oct 20
(Musings On Iraq PM Abdul Mahdi Claims Deal Made To Hold Off Further Protests)
Oct 8 Iraqi govt said 110 killed in protests Health Min official said it was 165
Oct 8 Parliament voted to suspend provincial councils until 2020 elections funds for
people killed in protests unemployment benefits Some of these required legislation to go into effect
Oct 8 State Dept statement called for restraint and accountability by ISF after protests were
over
Oct 8 Activist kidnapped in Maysan
Oct 9 Small protest in central Baghdad Tried to cross bridge to Green Zone but stopped by
ISF who shot into crowd
(Musings On Iraq Protests Continue In Baghdad But At Smaller Level As Iraqi Govt Promises Reforms)
Oct 9 Amnesty Intl report Snipers used against protesters as early as Oct 3 Came from ISF
Found Iraqi forces arrested protesters trying to enter hospital in Baghdad ISF surrounded protesters in Zafaraniya Baghdad and shot at them Mass arrests on going against protesters and journalists
(Musings On Iraq UN Report On Violence Against Iraqi Protesters)
(Musings On Iraq United Nations Faults Iraq For Failing To Protect Protesters)
Oct 9 Report Journalists received threats for covering protests Offices raided Head of
Journalistic Freedoms Observatory said govt policy was to terrorize the media
Oct 9 PM Abdul Mahdi called for 3 days of mourning for those killed in protests
Oct 9 Cabinet promised electricity aid to small business jobs provincial committees in light
of protests
Oct 9 PM Abdul Mahdi speech Again claimed he never authorized shooting protesters Said
would change cabinet Called for national unity while warning those against the state would fail
Oct 10 Human Rights Watch Report recorded police and Hashd beating and shooting people
during protests One heard police warn crowd in Baghdad if they didn’t disperse they would be shot at Medic arrested insider her hospital treating wounded Police fired tear gas at ambulances in Baghdad Dijla TV received letter from Media Comm ordering it to close for one month for covering unrest Govt officials called NRT TV telling to stop covering protests Both were raided the next day by security forces Nasiriya crowds tried to burn Badr office and shot at by police and guards Asaib Ahl Al-Haq guards and police shot at crowd outside office
(Musings On Iraq Iraq Govt Repression Of Protests Being Exposed As More Promises Of Reform Being Made)
(Musings On Iraq UN Report On Violence Against Iraqi Protesters)
(Musings On Iraq United Nations Faults Iraq For Failing To Protect Protesters)
(Musings On Iraq Asaib Ahl Al-Haq From A Breakaway Sadr Militia To Defenders Of Iraq)
Oct 10 Report lawyers and activists said 1,000 arrested during protests Estimated half
beaten and tortured by ISF
Oct 10 Report massive arrest campaign against protesters in Dhi Qar
Oct 10 PM Abdul Mahdi nominated Health, Education, Communication, Displacement
Ministers and voted on by parliament
Oct 10 Parliament authorized 10 mil dinars for those killed and wounded during protests
Oct 11 Ayatollah Sistani’s Friday sermon blamed the government for deaths during protests
(Musings On Iraq Crackdown Continues Against Protesters While Iraq Govt Announces Investigations)
Oct 11 Human Rights Commission reported 108 killed in protests Baghdad had the most
with 63 dead
(Musings On Iraq UN Report On Violence Against Iraqi Protesters)
(Musings On Iraq United Nations Faults Iraq For Failing To Protect Protesters)
Oct 11 Iraqi Observatory for Press Freedom said that PM Abdul Mahdi should apologize for
the attacks upon the media during the protests
Oct 11 Report IS limited to rural areas of Iraq Had underground bases and buried caches of
weapons Lost most of its networks Extort money and did kidnappings for ransom Worked in small groups which meant small attacks Few car/suicide bombings Aimed to isolate people from govt and ISF Exploited gap between ISF and peshmerga in disputed areas Hadn’t been able to penetrate cities IS said it was in long struggle and war of attrition Not as many Sunnis supported IS
Oct 11 Report PM Abdul Mahdi’s Supreme Anti-Corruption Council given 9 corruption
cases Involved former ministers and governors
Oct 12 Cabinet and military said setting up committees to investigate violence during
protests
(Musings On Iraq Crackdown Continues Against Protesters While Iraq Govt Announces Investigations)
(Musings On Iraq UN Report On Violence Against Iraqi Protesters)
(Musings On Iraq United Nations Faults Iraq For Failing To Protect Protesters)
Oct 12 Report ISF stopping young people at checkpoints Checking phones for pictures of
protests and arresting them People fleeing Baghdad fearing arrest
Oct 12 Report ISF doing house raids against protesters bloggers journalists for protests
Oct 14 Report Iraq Bar Association said more than 200 people killed during protests Govt
arresting activists and journalists Many being tortured
(Musings On Iraq UN Report On Violence Against Iraqi Protesters)
(Musings On Iraq United Nations Faults Iraq For Failing To Protect Protesters)
Oct 14 Report Source at Human Rights Comm said PM Abdul Mahdi’s commission on
attacks on protesters included people that attacked protesters
Oct 14 2 protesters died of wounds in Najaf
Oct 15 Sadr called for new protests during Arbaeen pilgrimage in Karbala
(Musings On Iraq Sadr Joins Protests While Govt Continues With Promises And Crackdown)
Oct 15 Court issued warrants for 2 SWAT officers in Wasit for killing protesters
Oct 16 Report PM Abdul Mahdi asked Sistani to help end protests but he refused Quds Force
cmdr Gen Suleimani flew to Najaf Warned Sistani had had to pick between the protests and the govt
(Musings On Iraq Sadr Joins Protests While Govt Continues With Promises And Crackdown)
(Musings On Iraq Iranian Revolutionary Guards’ Commander General Suleimani And His Role In Iraq, An Interview With The New Yorker’s Dexter Filkins)
Oct 16 Report Ayatollah’s Sistani’s sermon said govt needed to hold people accountable for
violence against protests Natl Sec Adv Fayad supposed to head PM Abdul Mahdi’s committee to investigate violence Sadr said couldn’t have killer lead investigation Fayad called protests a conspiracy
Oct 16 Report pro-Iran Hashd units deployed 3rd day to put down protests Used
snipers in Baghdad Included elements of Hashd Commission
(Musings On Iraq UN Report On Violence Against Iraqi Protesters)
(Musings On Iraq United Nations Faults Iraq For Failing To Protect Protesters)
Oct 16 Iraqi Media House said journalists were fleeing Baghdad and south due to death
threats
Oct 16 Head of Edheim council Diyala said that IS was working in Metibijah basin on
Diyala-Salahaddin border
Oct 17 Maliki Hakim Abadi all condemned govt going after journalists for covering protests
(Musings On Iraq Sadr Joins Protests While Govt Continues With Promises And Crackdown)
Oct 17 Report Iraqi blogger involved in protests kidnapped Came after he was arrested by
ISF Pro-Iran Hashd accused him of trying to normalize relations between Iraq and Israel for money
Oct 17 Report Lami head of Hashd Security Directorate from Kataib Hezbollah involved in
coordinating Hashd attacks on protesters
Oct 18 Amnesty reported govt had on going campaign against activists and journalists for
protests Included threats arrests and disappearances
(Musings On Iraq Sadr Joins Protests While Govt Continues With Promises And Crackdown)
(Musings On Iraq UN Report On Violence Against Iraqi Protesters)
(Musings On Iraq United Nations Faults Iraq For Failing To Protect Protesters)
Oct 18 Sunni Endowment in Ninewa sent letter to Ninewa Gov Mirad Asked him to stop
Shiite Endowment from seizing and confiscating properties
Oct 19 Sadrists held protests in Karbala during Arbaeen pilgrimage against corruption
(Musings On Iraq Sadr Joins Protests While Govt Continues With Promises And Crackdown)
Oct 19 People in village in Khanaqin dist Diyala fled due to IS threats and attacks
(Musings On Iraq The Islamic State’s Failed Comeback In Iraq)
Oct 20 Sadr told his followers to re-start protests and take part in national demonstrations
planned for Oct 25 Activist on coordination committee for protests rejected Sadr’s involvement Said Sadr member of Iraqi political establishment
(Musings On Iraq Sadr Joins Protests While Govt Continues With Promises And Crackdown)
Oct 20 Economist said 50,000 projects stopped due to lack of money Govt running $60-$70
bil deficit Govt workers drain on budget
Oct 20 PM Abdul Mahdi promised govt jobs to appease protests
Oct 20 Tapes leaked of Babil Gov Abadi saying force should be used to stop protests Dhi
Qar Gov Dukhili said investigation found ISF killed protesters Human Rights Comm said some ISF shot at demonstrators without orders
Oct 21 Report People in Mukhisa Diyala told ISF they had 10 days to deal with IS or they
would abandon village
Oct 21 Ministerial investigation found snipers fired at protesters in Baghdad Found one
sniper spot on top of building Baghdad Ops Command claimed didn’t know who snipers were Defense Min Shammari said same thing
Oct 22 Govt released report on violence used against protesters Blamed army and police
Said commanders lost control of forces 149 killed Most 107 killed in Baghdad 4,207 wounded most in Baghdad 3,458 Also 19 killed in Dhi Qar 7 in Diwaniya 6 in Maysn 5 in Najaf 4 in Wasit 1 in Babil 70% of those killed were shot in head and chest Said Baghdad Operations Command commanders of army’s 11th Div Fed Police 1st Div police chiefs in Babil Dhi Qar Muthanna Najaf Qadisiya Wasit and several other offices should be fired punished or investigated for crimes Did not blame PM Abdul Mahdi other politicians or Hashd
(Musings On Iraq Report On Violence Used Vs Iraq Protests Covers-Up Govt Responsibility)
(Musings On Iraq UN Report On Violence Against Iraqi Protesters)
(Musings On Iraq United Nations Faults Iraq For Failing To Protect Protesters)
Oct 22 Iraqi Observatory for Human Rights said govt report on violence against protests was
disappointing Said it lacked facts Didn’t blame any perpetrators Asked how Iraqi forces could shoot at protesters and not be stopped by their commanders
Oct 22 UN report Interior and Defense Min put in charge of dealing with protests Oct 1 3000
protested in Baghdad Tried to get into Green Zone Started throwing stones and water bottles at ISF ISF responded with water cannons tear gas rubber bullets Then began shooting at crowd Protests Oct 2-5 also shot at by ISF Protests in Sadr City attacked police station Army acknowledged they used excessive force vs protests UN had evidence of snipers Oct 1-5 19 protesters killed in Dhi Qar when people tried to burn buildings ISF shot at ambulances Entered hospital and threatened staff and question wounded protesters Activists had houses raided and arrested without warrants Oct 5 5 TV stations in Baghdad raided Journalists arrested and threatened Oct 7-8 ISF went through coffee shops in Sadr City Checked phones and if saw pictures of protests people were arrested Human rights activists warned and threatened not to protest Reports of wanted lists of activists People fleeing as a result of threats Abdul Mahdi govt said it gave no orders to shoot at protests
Oct 22 Report Iran Rev Guard set up crisis cell in Baghdad to help put down protests Cell
included Gen Suleimani PM Abdul Mahdi’s chief of staff Natl Sec Adv Fayad Abu Muhandis Dep Head Hashd Comm other Hashd leaders Coordinated suppression of street and snipers 1 sniper from Kataib Sayid al-Shuhada arrested Reuters reported head of Hashd Security Dir from Kataib Hezbollah coordinated Hashd ops to suppress demonstrations Leaked est of 400 protesters killed 247 disappeared 6200 wounded Govt blocked Internet Oct 2-6 to try to stop organizing Human Rights Comm said 257 people arrested disappeared Many believe taken to Kataib Hezbollah secret prison in Babil’s Jurf al-Sakhr Activists and journalists threatened Many fled to KRG or left Iraq Were accused of working with US or Israel 6 TV stations attacked by Saraya al-Khorasani and Harakat Hezbollah al-Nujaba Media Comm warned TV stations to shut down for covering protests Were then attacked Asaib Ahl Al-Haq tried to attack Al Forat offices but driven off Later bombed building
(Musings On Iraq Iranian Revolutionary Guards’ Commander General Suleimani And His Role In Iraq, An Interview With The New Yorker’s Dexter Filkins)
Oct 22 Report Were no big protests in Basra like 2018 Activists scared of violence Were
beaten tortured arrested got death threats in 2018 Many signed pledges not to protest again Was protest start of Oct Broken up by police
Oct 22 Report 15 villages along Diyala-Salahaddin border in Metibijah basin abandoned due
to IS Insurgents were attacking Edheim dist in same area
(Musings On Iraq The Islamic State’s Failed Comeback In Iraq)
Oct 23 PM Abdul Mahdi said he would cut salaries of top officials Reform ministries
Provide more welfare Jobs for young to answer protests
Oct 23 Judicial Council created committees in each province to look into attacks on protests
Oct 24 Protesters in Baghdad Dhi Qar Basra Diwaniya Maysan Najaf surprised govt by
demonstrating day before planned national protests People in Baghdad were able to get into Green Zone before being turned back by security Govt declared state of emergency beforehand to try to stop protests
(Musings On Iraq Iraq Protesters Outsmart Govt And Security Forces)
Oct 24 Human Rights Watch Abdul Mahdi govt said it would punish sr ISF officers for
violence against protesters Didn’t deal with Hashd Govt started giving compensation to families who had members killed and wounded in protests Govt acknowledged arbitrary arrests Activists went into hiding Masked men were looking for activists Reports of wanted lists Journalist said his company told not to report on protests
Oct 24 Report PM Abdul Mahdi said if he resigned would lead to chaos Said early elections
wouldn’t be good Said govt had ordered reforms in Hashd and confine weapons to the govt Promised to change cabinet and not follow quota system Said cut salaries for top govt officials and would use money for poor Was response to protests
Oct 24 Kataib Hezbollah blamed protests on US Israel Saudis Said PM Abdul Mahdi would
deal with protest demands
Oct 24 Activist survived assassination attempt in Dhi Qar Baghdad activist released after
being kidnapped for 15 days Had to pay ransom
Oct 24 Interior Min banned live TV reporting on protests
Oct 24 Human Rights Comm counted 157 protesters killed Oct 1-24
Oct 25 42 protesters killed in Diwanaiya Maysan Dhi Qar Baghdad Basra Muthanna Were
peaceful protests in Najaf and Karbala People tried to march on Green Zone in Baghdad Sadr sent his Saraya al-Salam to Tahrir Square to protect protesters even though organizers rejected his help Govt offices in Baghdad Basra Nasiriya Diwaniya Samawah, Qadisiya Kut destroyed Reform Movement State of Law ISCI and 3 politicians offices attacked in Babil Kataib Hezbollah Asaib Ahl Al-Haq Badr Sayid al-Shuhada Dawa Imam Ali Brigades offices sacked in Nasirya Badr Dawa offices burned in Amara Dawa Fadhila Fatah Asaib Ahl Al-Haq Hikma Badr Saraya Al-Khorasani Islah ISCI Sayid al-Shuhada and others had offices attacked in Samawah Dawa Badr Asaib Ahl Al-Haq Saray al-Khorasani Sayid al-Shuhada offices sacked in Qadisiya 12 died in burning of Badr office in Qadisiya Dawa and Atta party offices burned in Kut Asaib Ahl Al-Haq guards fired into crowds in Maysan Nasiriya Dhi Qar killing several
(Musings On Iraq 42 Killed First Day Of Renewed Protests In Iraq)
(Musings On Iraq Death Toll Rises As Govt Tries To Break Up Iraq Protests)
(Musings On Iraq More Confrontations Between Protesters And Govt 3rd Day Of Renewed Demonstrations)
(Musings On Iraq UN Report On Violence Against Iraqi Protesters)
(Musings On Iraq United Nations Faults Iraq For Failing To Protect Protesters)
(Musings On Iraq Asaib Ahl Al-Haq From A Breakaway Sadr Militia To Defenders Of Iraq)
(Musings On Iraq Khorasani Brigade Another Iraq Militia That Returned Home From Syria To Fight The Insurgency)
(Musings On Iraq Instrument Of Iran’s Power In Iraq And Syria Kataib Hezbollah)
Oct 25 Sadrists attacked Asaib Ahl Al-Haq office in Amara Asaib Ahl Al-Haq guards fired
into crowd Asaib Ahl Al-Haq commander wounded and then killed at hospital Showed Shiite parties settling scores during protests
(Musings On Iraq Asaib Ahl Al-Haq From A Breakaway Sadr Militia To Defenders Of Iraq)
Oct 25 Joint Operations Command said saboteurs were using protests to destroy property
as justification for repression
Oct 25 PM Abdul Mahdi said political system facing a crisis promised changing his cabinet
cutting salaries of top officials to try to appeal to protesters
Oct 25 Ayatollah Sistani’s representative said change only came through peaceful means
and called for calm in new demonstrations
Oct 25 Report Anbar source said IS operating along Salahaddin-Ninewa border
Oct 26 Protesters killed rose from 42 to 70 in 2 days People tried to enter Green Zone in
Baghdad ISF tried and failed to clear Tahrir Sq Basra ISF broke up protest outside govt building and carried out mass arrests Also protest in Shatt al-Arab Dhi Qar governor and deputy governor had homes burned Overnight sit-in in Karbala Protest outside Iranian consulate in Karbala Protests in Maysan Muthanna Najaf Qadisiya
(Musings On Iraq Death Toll Rises As Govt Tries To Break Up Iraq Protests)
(Musings On Iraq UN Report On Violence Against Iraqi Protesters)
(Musings On Iraq United Nations Faults Iraq For Failing To Protect Protesters)
Oct 26 Sadr announced his Sairoon bloc was joining the opposition and started sit in
protest in parliament building
(Musings On Iraq More Confrontations Between Protesters And Govt 3rd Day Of Renewed Demonstrations)
Oct 27 IS leader Baghdadi killed in US raid in Syria
Oct 27 Students went on strike in Baghdad Marched to Tahrir Sq PM Abdul Mahdi
condemned student action Badr and 2 MPs offices burned in Babil ISF broke up protest in Basra Were protests in 2 other districts in Basra 1 protester died of wounds in Basra ISF started arrest campaign against activists and journalists in Dhi Qar Sit in continued in Karbala and tried to storm govt building at night Marches in Rumaitha and Samawa in Muthanna Protest in Diwaniya Protesters shut down govt offices in 3 districts of Wasit Solidarity protest in Ninewa
(Musings On Iraq More Confrontations Between Protesters And Govt 3rd Day Of Renewed Demonstrations)
(Musings On Iraq UN Report On Violence Against Iraqi Protesters)
(Musings On Iraq United Nations Faults Iraq For Failing To Protect Protesters)
(Musings On Iraq Badr Organization A View Into Iraq’s Violent Past And Present)
Oct 27 Govt shut down Al Arabiya and Al Hadath TV stations for covering protests
Oct 27 6 MPs from Sairoon and Nasr resigned to support protests
Oct 27 Dep head of Hashd Comm Abu Muhandis said he was watching protests Hoped
govt would meet people’s demands and called on people to support PM Abdul Mahdi
Oct 28 Parliament voted to dissolve provincial district and local councils and allow
governors to run governorates Not enforced
Oct 28 5 protesters killed in Baghdad by ISF Total of 74 killed in Iraq so far Curfew in
Baghdad ignored Basra city Zubayr West Qurna protests in Basra MPs house in Dhi Qar attacked Protests in Nasiriya Shatra Gharraf in Dhi Qar Protest in Maysan Sit ins continued in Samawa and Rumaitha in Muthanna Sit in started in Najaf but broken up by police March in Diwaniya Student strike spread from Baghdad to Karbala Qadisiya Muthanna
(Musings On Iraq Iraq Protests Get Huge Boost As Students And Professional Groups Join In)
(Musings On Iraq UN Report On Violence Against Iraqi Protesters)
(Musings On Iraq United Nations Faults Iraq For Failing To Protect Protesters)
Oct 28 Solidarity protests in Kirkuk Tikrit Baquba
Oct 28 Karbala sit in site attacked by security forces Arrested people took down tents shot
into crowd killing 35 wounding around 800
(Musings On Iraq Massacre Of Karbala Protesters As Talk Begins Of PM Abdul Mahdi Resigning)
Oct 28 Bar Ass Engineers Assoc Teachers Union secondary and university students in
Babil Basra Dhi Qar Karbala Maysan Muthanna Qadisiya Wasit joined protests
Oct 28 Councilmen in Najaf Dhi Qar Diyala resigned to support protests
Oct 28 Sadr called for early elections to replace PM Abdul Mahdi
Oct 28 Parliament said it would create committee to amend constitution in 4 months to
appeal to protests Didn’t happen
Oct 28 Baghdad activist kidnapped and disappeared
Oct 29 Abdul Mahdi’s office and Karbala governor denied any died in Karbala the night
before when 35 were killed General claimed protesters had weapons Karbala governor reportedly behind attack upon protest site
(Musings On Iraq Massacre Of Karbala Protesters As Talk Begins Of PM Abdul Mahdi Resigning)
(Musings On Iraq UN Report On Violence Against Iraqi Protesters)
(Musings On Iraq United Nations Faults Iraq For Failing To Protect Protesters)
Oct 29 Amnesty Intl ISF used excessive force against Karbala protesters Fired into crowd
Tried to run people over ISF arrested people in hospital afterward
Oct 29 3 universities Teachers’ Union Bar Assoc on strike and went to Tahrir Sq in
Baghdad 2 killed trying to cross into Green Zone 2 protests in Babil and farm workers went on strike Protests in Um Qasr Basra Zubayr Shatt al-Arab and Qurn in Basra Basra Oil Company workers joined Um Qasr port entrance blocked Most schools in Dhi Qar went on strike Sit in at Nasiriya Najaf Samawa Diwaniya Protest at Gharraf oil field in Dhi Qar and Karbala
Oct 29 Protests in Baquba for second day and Muqtadiya and Mosul in support of Baghdad
and south
Oct 29 Comm to Protect Journalists said reporters being arrested and attacked at protest
sites Govt also shut down Al Dijlah Al Arabiya and Al Hadath TV stations
Oct 29 PM Abdul Mahdi rejected Sadr’s call for early elections Said if Sadr wanted a new
govt he should talk to Amiri since they created the govt Amiri said he would not ask Abdul Mahdi to step down
Oct 29 Pres Salah called emergency meeting of ruling parties to discuss alternative to
Abdul Mahdi
Oct 30 2 protesters killed in Baghdad UN rep to Iraq showed up at Tahrir Sq condemning
violence against protests Sit ins continued in Babil Basra Dhi Qar Karbala Muthanna Qadisiya Protests in 2 areas of Basra Um Qasr port blocked Riot in Shatra Dhi Qar
(Musings On Iraq 98 Dead in 6 Days Of Renewed Protests in Iraq)
(Musings On Iraq UN Report On Violence Against Iraqi Protesters)
(Musings On Iraq United Nations Faults Iraq For Failing To Protect Protesters)
Oct 30 Solidarity actions in Kirkuk to support protest movement
Oct 30 Report security forces warning and intimidating people in northern Iraq not to
protest Activists arrested in Anbar
Oct 30 Sadr said that if PM Abdul Mahdi didn’t step down Iraq cold be next Yemen or Syria
Oct 30 Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and Pres Rouhani’s chief of staff claimed Iraq protests
controlled by US Israel Saudi Arabia
Oct 30 Iran Rev Guard Quds Force Cmdr Gen Suleimani arrived in Baghdad and told
ruling parties Iran stood behind PM Abdul Mahdi
(Musings On Iraq Najaf and Tehran Pick Sides In Protests)
(Musings On Iraq Iranian Revolutionary Guards’ Commander General Suleimani And His Role In Iraq, An Interview With The New Yorker’s Dexter Filkins)
Oct 30 Report Quds Force cmdr Gen Suleimani chaired security meeting that was supposed
to be headed by PM Abdul Mahdi about protests Suleimani said Iran knew how to deal with protests Iran thought putting down protests would help Abdul Mahdi stay in office
Oct 31 Pres Salah said that PM Abdul Mahdi was ready to step down Replacement needed
to be found New election law passed by parliament
(Musings On Iraq PM Abdul Mahdi Ready To Step Down Will It Satisfy The Protests?)
Oct 31 1 protester died in Baghdad from wounds Sit ins continued in Baghdad Babil Basra
Dhi Qar Maysan Muthanna Wasit Um Qasr port continued to be blocked Also protests in Qurna in Basra Rifai and Shatrah in Dhi Qar Karbala and Qadisiya
(Musings On Iraq UN Report On Violence Against Iraqi Protesters)
(Musings On Iraq United Nations Faults Iraq For Failing To Protect Protesters)
Oct 31 Solidarity protests in Baquba and Jalawla in Diyala Another in Ninewa broken up
by 30th Brigade of the Hashd
Oct 31 Report Iran tried to keep PM Abdul Mahdi in power Quds Force cadre Gen Suleimani
was in Baghdad Asked Badr to maintain support for PM
(Musings On Iraq Iranian Revolutionary Guards’ Commander General Suleimani And His Role In Iraq, An Interview With The New Yorker’s Dexter Filkins)
Nov 1 Ayatollah Sistani said he stood with the protesters Said there should be elections
and referendum on constitution Led to huge increase number of protesters
(Musings On Iraq Najaf and Tehran Pick Sides In Protests)
Nov 1 Report Ayatollah Sistani intervened in protests because mad at Iran calling protests
US Israeli Saudi plot and afraid PM Abdul Mahdi would use force again
Nov 1 Report PM Abdul Mahdi wanted to bomb protests in Baghdad Defense Min refused
Asked Quds Force cmdr Gen Suleimani and pro-Iran Hashd for help to put down demonstrations Suleimani arrived in Baghdad end of Oct
Nov 1 Hashd said it stood with protests but warned that it shouldn’t be manipulated by
foreigners
Nov 1 PM Abdul Mahdi warned that if he stepped down without a replacement there could
be a civil war
Nov 1 Badr/Fatah head Amiri said current political system failed and constitution needed
to be amended
Nov 1 6 protesters died from being hit by tear gas canisters in Baghdad Sadr’s Saraya al-
Salam joined protests in Baghdad Other protests in Basra Dhi Qar Karbala Maysan Wasit Muthanna Najaf Qadisiya Diyala
(Musings On Iraq UN Report On Violence Against Iraqi Protesters)
(Musings On Iraq United Nations Faults Iraq For Failing To Protect Protesters)
Nov 1 Human Rights Comm said govt not interested in ending excessive use of force as
seen by number of casualties amongst protesters
Nov 2 ISF fired live ammo at protesters blocking entrance to Um Qasr port in Basra
(Musings On Iraq Attempt at A General Strike In Iraq As Najaf-Tehran Stand Off Continues)
(Musings On Iraq UN Report On Violence Against Iraqi Protesters)
(Musings On Iraq United Nations Faults Iraq For Failing To Protect Protesters)
Nov 2 Sit ins continued in Baghdad Babil Basra Karbala Maysan Muthanna Najaf 1 killed
in Baghdad by ISF Protests in Qurna and Fao in Basra Nasiriya and Shatrah in Dhi Qar Rumaitha in Muthanna Baquba in Diyala and Kirkuk
Nov 2 Human Rights Commission said 260 protesters killed 12,000 wounded since Oct 1
Nov 2 Report intimidation campaign by ISF in Anbar against people supporting protests
Nov 2 Iran Revolutionary Guards Cmdr Gen Salami said Iran would protect its interests in
other countries meaning in Iraq
Nov 2 PM Abdul Mahdi adv said premier might stay in office and lead transitional govt
rather than step down as previously reported
Nov 2 Report Norwegian Refugee Council said Iraq’s educ system in crisis 2.5 mil children
needed aid More than 240,000 children didn’t get education in 2018 Since 2014 no new teachers had been hired Led to 32% teacher shortage In Ninewa number of teachers went form 40,000 to 25,000 28% of girls 15% of boys dropped out of secondary school
Nov 3 General strike called leading to roads and highways blocked in Baghdad Basra
Muthanna 2 protesters killed in Tahrir Sq Govt workers walked off job in Dhi Qar Iranian consulate in Karbala assaulted Border crossing with Iran in Maysan blocked Work and school stoppages in Diyala
(Musings On Iraq Nov 3 Civil Disobedience Across Iraq)
(Musings On Iraq UN Report On Violence Against Iraqi Protesters)
(Musings On Iraq United Nations Faults Iraq For Failing To Protect Protesters)
Nov 3 Report Iran Rev Guards Quds Force Cmdr Gen Suleimani talked Sadr out of
demanding PM Abdul Mahdi resign
(Musings On Iraq Iranian Revolutionary Guards’ Commander General Suleimani And His Role In Iraq, An Interview With The New Yorker’s Dexter Filkins)
Nov 3 Report People fleeing rural villages in Khanaqin Dist Diyala due to IS
(Musings On Iraq The Islamic State’s Failed Comeback In Iraq)
Nov 3 PM Abdul Mahdi said protests should end because most of their demands met Said
protests had encouraged outlaws Claimed ISF didn’t attack demonstrations
Nov 3 Report Asaib Ahl Al-Haq’s Khazali said he stood with protests but they were being
exploited by foreign countries Said Mossad and CIA were recruiting agents saboteurs and Baathists
Nov 4 Baghdad’s Al-Ahrar Bridge blocked by protesters Surrounded prime minister’s office
Tried to burn Justice Min 8 killed by security forces
(Musings On Iraq New Confrontations Between Protesters And Iraqi Security Forces)
(Musings On Iraq UN Report On Violence Against Iraqi Protesters)
(Musings On Iraq United Nations Faults Iraq For Failing To Protect Protesters)
Nov 4 Govt office shut down in Babil Roads to West Qurna 1 and 2 oil fields blocked BP
oil workers had solidarity march in Basra Um Qasr port shut down by protests Clash with ISF in Dhi Qar led to 1 death Iranian consulate in Karbala assaulted Led to 3 deaths Protest at Karbala govt building Diyala-Baghdad highway cut
Nov 4 Basra Ops Command said got approval to break up Um Qasr protest
Nov 4 Amnesty reported govt intimidation campaign against activists in Anbar to stop
them from backing protests 2 arrested for posting on Facebook about protests
Nov 4 UN report Hashd fired at protesters in Maysan Babil Dhi Qar 10/25-10/26 to stop
them from entering party offices and govt buildings Killed 27 Wounded 300 10/25 Hashd in Maysan shot and killed 12 Wounded 110 Another protesters beat to death by Hashd cmdr and his brother 10/25 Hashd in Dhi Qar fired at protesters Killed 8 Wounded 150 10/26 Hashd in Babil fired at protesters Killed 7 Wounded 12 10/26 Police fired at protesters Killed 3 Wounded 27 10/27 Hashd fired at demonstrators outside MPs house in Dhi Qar Wounded 15 Report police shooting protesters in Karbala 10/28-10/29 police shot at protesters in Karbala Killed 18 Wounded 143 10/29 Karbala police cmdr and Karbala governor denied anyone killed 11/4 ISF fired tear gas and guns at protesters in Baghdad Killed 5 Tear gas cannisters killed 16 in Baghdad Anti-Terror law used to arrest activists in Babil Baghdad Dhi Qar Qadisiya 6 cases of kidnappings in Baghdad 10/24 Interior Min put restrictions on media covering demonstrations 10/25 Media Comm warned media about fake news that would incite violence at protests 10/25 Dijla TV banned by Media Comm for reporting on protests 10/25 Al Sharqiya TV jammed for reporting on protests 10/26 Armed men went to NRT TV 10/26 Al Arabiya and Al Hadath suspended by govt 10/26 ISF went to Al Hurra to check not covering protests
Nov 4 Govt cut Internet in Iraq again Led to nighttime arrests of activists in Baghdad by
ISF
Nov 5 11 protesters killed in Baghdad 2 killed attacking politician’s house in Dhi Qar’s
Shatrah 2 killed at Um Qasr port in Basra as ISF broke up sit-in there by shooting into crowd People stormed marine base next to port in response 6 activists disappeared in Baghdad
(Musings On Iraq Protest At Um Qasr Port Broken Up And Mass Arrests In Baghdad)
(Musings On Iraq UN Report On Violence Against Iraqi Protesters)
(Musings On Iraq United Nations Faults Iraq For Failing To Protect Protesters)
Nov 5 PM Abdul Mahdi claimed saboteurs behind clashes between ISF and protesters
Nov 5 Arrest campaign by ISF in Baghdad continued against activists
Nov 5 UN report Oct 25-27 Hashd killed 27 protesters wounded 287 in Maysan Dhi Qar
Babil Oct 26-29 police killed 21 wounded 170 in Dhi Qar Karbala Nov 4 ISF used tear gas and live ammo at Baghdad’s Al-Ahrar Bridge killing 5 Govt used anti-terror law against protesters in Babil Baghdad Dhi Qar Qadisiya
Nov 5 Councilman and 3 MPs houses burned in Dhi Qar’s Shatrah Govt office in Nasiriya
closed Karbala govt building burned and 2 killed Road to oil field in Qadisiya blocked
(Musings On Iraq Battle Of The Bridges In Baghdad As Protests Expand To Economic Targets in South Iraq)
Nov 5 PM Abdul Mahd said if he resigned there would be power vacuum Said protests led
to reforms and constitution would be amended
Nov 5 Report Iranian Quds Force Cmdr Gen Suleimani gave political plan to Iraqi parties
including changing cabinet amending election law changing Election Comm but keeping PM Abdul Mahdi
(Musings On Iraq Iranian Revolutionary Guards’ Commander General Suleimani And His Role In Iraq, An Interview With The New Yorker’s Dexter Filkins)
Nov 6 Baghdad protests expanded to several bridges across central Baghdad ISF shot at
protesters at one bridge in Baghdad 1 doctor killed by ISF Security forces killed 2 bank workers by accident in Baghdad
(Musings On Iraq Battle Of The Bridges In Baghdad As Protests Expand To Economic Targets in South Iraq)
(Musings On Iraq UN Report On Violence Against Iraqi Protesters)
(Musings On Iraq United Nations Faults Iraq For Failing To Protect Protesters)
Nov 6 Protesters returned to Basra’s Um Qasr Port after broken up yesterday Road to Khor
al-Zubayr port blocked Stopped oil exports from Qayara field Most govt offices and some businesses in Nasiriya closed Protest at South Oil Company Nasiriya and Shanfiya refineries blocked
Nov 6 PM Abdul Mahdi’s spokesman claimed ISF had not fired a shot at protesters and
Internet closed because spreading hate
Nov 6 Report PM Abdul Mahdi wanted to break up protests using force
Nov 6 Protests in Ninewa shut down Qayara oil field Demonstrations in Dhi Qar shut down
South Oil Company 2 killed in clashes with ISF in Karbala 2 protesters killed in Maysan Police beat medics in Basra city Started shooting at protesters in front of Basra govt building Hashd assassinated activist and injured another
Nov 7 6 protesters killed while attempted to remove concrete walls on Baghdad’s Shuhada
Bridge Protest leader assassinated in Maysan ISF attacked sit-in site in Basra Fired live bullets Killed 2
(Musings On Iraq Will Iraq’s PM Abdul Mahdi Put An End To The Protests?)
(Musings On Iraq UN Report On Violence Against Iraqi Protesters)
(Musings On Iraq United Nations Faults Iraq For Failing To Protect Protesters)
(Musings On Iraq Govt Moving To Break Up Southern Iraq Protests)
Nov 7 PM Abdul Mahdi’s spokesman said saboteurs amongst the protesters were blocking
roads and would be arrested Said Human Rights Comm politicized and made false figures on number of protesters killed
Nov 7 Report some of the ruling parties agreed to back PM Abdul Mahdi using force to
end the protests
Nov 7 Rocket attack blamed on Kataib Hezbollah killed an American at an Iraqi base
Nov 8 ISF still trying to break up protests at Um Qasr Port and Basra city 13-14 died total
(Musings On Iraq Govt Moving To Break Up Southern Iraq Protests)
(Musings On Iraq UN Report On Violence Against Iraqi Protesters)
(Musings On Iraq United Nations Faults Iraq For Failing To Protect Protesters)
Nov 8 PM Abdul Mahdi’s spokesman said armed men fired on both protesters and security
forces in Basra
Nov 8 Basra Ops Command said unknown forces fired at Basra protesters Basra police
chief denied that his forces fired at demonstrators 8 killed
Nov 8 ISF destroyed protest camps in Rifai Dhi Qar and Karbala city
Nov 8 Report 2 protesters killed in Maysan by unknown groups Last 2 days 7 protesters
killed at Um Qasr port Basra 6 killed in Baghdad Sources said Hashd brought in hundreds of fighters into Green Zone to deal with protests
Nov 8 Report Ayatollah Sistani representative said ISF responsible for violence against
protests Called for end of use of excessive force Said Abdul Mahid govt had to respond to demands of public
Nov 8 Activist kidnapped in Baghdad Last 3 days 66 protesters killed in Baghdad
Nov 8 Yazidis protested in Sinjar Ninewa demanding that they become a district Said didn’t
want Hashd or KDP in area
Nov 9 Protests at Um Qasr and Basra city finally ended by security forces 17-18 protesters
killed over 2 days
(Musings On Iraq After Shutting Down Basra Protests Crackdown Moves To Baghdad)
(Musings On Iraq UN Report On Violence Against Iraqi Protesters)
(Musings On Iraq United Nations Faults Iraq For Failing To Protect Protesters)
Nov 9 ISF swept people from three bridges in central Baghdad 6 killed Baghdad Ops
Command denied that it used tear gas or live ammo on demonstrators but did
Nov 9 Report that ISF infiltrated crowd at Baghdad’s Tahrir Sq Activists disappearing
Nov 9 Attempt on life of professional bodybuilder that took part in Baghdad protests
Nov 10 ISF closed off square in central Basra and arrested people who showed up ending
protests in city Students rallied at Zubayr Univ in Basra 6 killed in Baghdad’s Khalani Sq which govt cleared Nov 9 Justice Min office burned in central Baghdad Protests closed govt offices in Hilla 3 politicians’ houses burned in Dhi Qar’s Shatrah Clashes in Nasiriya led to 4 deaths Border crossing with Iran blocked in Maysan
(Musings On Iraq Protests Continue In Iraq After Basra Demos Put Down)
(Musings On Iraq New Clashes In South Iraq As Another Activist Disappears In Baghdad)
(Musings On Iraq UN Report On Violence Against Iraqi Protesters)
(Musings On Iraq United Nations Faults Iraq For Failing To Protect Protesters)
Nov 11 1000s showed in Basra city to try to re-start sit-in site but met by ISF 2nd day protest
in Nasiriya clashes with ISF People tried to storm police station 2 more killed Activist kidnapped in Baghdad Over 2 days 6 protesters killed by police in Baghdad
(Musings On Iraq New Clashes In South Iraq As Another Activist Disappears In Baghdad)
(Musings On Iraq UN Report On Violence Against Iraqi Protesters)
(Musings On Iraq United Nations Faults Iraq For Failing To Protect Protesters)
Nov 12 Teacher’s Union called new strike Closed most Baghdad and southern
schools/universities Sit-in restarted in Basra city after broken up by ISF Mayor in Dhi Qar had house burned down Police fired into crowd Govt offices closed in Amara and Nasiriya Protests stormed TV station office in Maysan Karbala police joined protest
(Musings On Iraq New School Strike And Continued Protest Actions In Southern Iraq)
Nov 13 Activists Saba Mahdawia and Ali Hashim who were abducted in Baghdad were
released with no details
(Musings On Iraq News On Kidnaped Iraq Activists)
(Musings On Iraq UN Report On Violence Against Iraqi Protesters)
(Musings On Iraq United Nations Faults Iraq For Failing To Protect Protesters)
Nov 13 800 students and teachers joined sit-in site in Basra Protest at Majnoon oil field
Politicians’ house burned in Dhi Qar
Nov 13 Sadr again called for his followers to join protests
Nov 13 Asaib Ahl Al-Haq reportedly kidnapped Interior Min General Jabbar in Baghdad for
denying it seats in institute he runs
(Musings On Iraq Asaib Ahl Al-Haq Blamed For Kidnapping Iraqi General In Baghdad)
(Musings On Iraq History of Asaib Ahl Al-Haq)
Nov 14 4 protesters killed in Baghdad Baghdad Ops Command denied any deaths Protests
returned to Basra’s Um Qasr port
(Musings On Iraq UN Report On Violence Against Iraqi Protesters)
(Musings On Iraq United Nations Faults Iraq For Failing To Protect Protesters)
Nov 14 Human Rights Watch reported ISF attacked medics working with protesters in
Baghdad Basra and Dhi Qar
Nov 15 3 protesters killed by sticky bomb and 3 by gunfire in Tahrir Square Baghdad 3 small
bombs went off in square as well Activist kidnapped in Baghdad
(Musings On Iraq UN Report On Violence Against Iraqi Protesters)
(Musings On Iraq United Nations Faults Iraq For Failing To Protect Protesters)
Nov 15 Sit in protest restarted at Um Qasr port in Basra Politicians house burned in Dhi
Qar Sadrists protested in Kufa and Diwaniya Bomb in protest site in Nasiriya
Nov 15 Ayatollah Sistani’s representatives said none of the protesters’ demands had been
met Called for election reform
Nov 15 Dean of Higher Institute for Security and Admin Dev kidnapped by Asaib Ahl Al-
Haq in Baghdad after he refused to give it 150 seats at the institute Source said Asaib Ahl Al-Haq charged $10,000 for each seat
Nov 15 Report Barzani family owned mansion in Beverly Hills worth $40 mil Owned
another mansion in city and a 3rd in Virginia
Nov 15 People left village in central Diyala due to IS threats
(Musings On Iraq The Islamic State’s Failed Comeback In Iraq)
Nov 16 Def Min Shammari claimed 3rd party responsible for shooting protesters in
Baghdad not ISF Claimed 200 arrest warrants out for them Said tear gas used not bought by ISF
(Musings On Iraq Iraq’s Defense Minister Tried To Deny Security Forces Behind Deaths Of Protesters)
(Musings On Iraq UN Report On Violence Against Iraqi Protesters)
(Musings On Iraq United Nations Faults Iraq For Failing To Protect Protesters)
Nov 16 Rapid Reaction Div commander said that ISF was killing protesters with tear gas
canisters and military responsible
Nov 16 Report 30 ISF resigned over refusing to shoot protesters in Baghdad Causing
divisions with ISF
Nov 16 ISF made deal with protesters to withdraw from Khalaqni Sq and part of Al-Senak
bridge in Baghdad 3 demonstrators killed in Baghdad Activist assassinated in capital
Nov 16 Entrance to Majnoon oil field and Um Qasr port in Basra blocked Protester died of
wounds in Basra city
Nov 16 Protesters called for general strike again on Nov 17 Wasit Babil Dhi Qar Maysan all
said they would close govt offices in response
Nov 16 Migration Dept in Diyala’s Khanaqin dist said 76 families fled last 40 days due to IS
(Musings On Iraq The Islamic State’s Failed Comeback In Iraq)
Nov 17 Protesters retook Al-Ahrar Bridge in Baghdad 1 killed 3 lawyers/activists kidnapped
\ in Baghdad and Maysan
(Musings On Iraq UN Report On Violence Against Iraqi Protesters)
(Musings On Iraq United Nations Faults Iraq For Failing To Protect Protesters)
Nov 17 Sadr called for strike joining protester call for general strike
Nov 17 Basra Najaf Qadisiya Wasit Babil Maysan Dhi Qar declared holidays during
protester strike
Nov 17 Protesters withdrew sit ins outside Basra’s Majnoon oil field and Um Qasr port
Protests in Baquba Muqtadiya Khalis Baladrooz in Diyala
Nov 17 Report Leaked Iranian docs 1 from 2014 said Abdul Mahdi and Abadi had special
relationship with Iran 1 said many Iraqi leaders were Iranian allies that could be trusted Iranian intel said job was to keep Iraq united Stop insurgents on Iranian border Stop attacks on Shiites Stop KRG independence Oppose US 1 report said Iraqi military intel said it would help Iran with whatever it wanted Said would give Iran US targeting software used against IS Said would give Iran US eavesdropping equipment Iraqis sent to Iran in 2014 for training to help fight IS Iran thought US returning to Iraq in 2014 to help vs IS was a threat Iran’s ambassador to Iraq to said PM Abadi’s cabinet was pro-Iran 2014 Quds Force cmdr Gen Suleimani asked Transportation Min Jabr to allow Iran to fly weapons to Syria over Iraqi airspace Said yes despite US lobbying Iraq to stop practice Most conversations US officials had with Iraqis were passed along to Iran 1 of Speaker Jabouri’s top advisers was an Iranian intel source KRG PM Barzani had meeting with US and UK officials in Dec 2014 and then told Iranians everything that happened Iranian intel report said pro-Iran Hashd cleared Babil’s Jurf al-Sakrh Drove out families Destroyed most homes and wanted to destroy the remaining ones Destroyed orchards Drove off livestock Iranian intel said Gen Suleimani was a self-promoter during war vs IS Thought he wanted to gain more power in Iranian politics from war 1 report criticized Suleimani for constantly posting pictures of himself during war Said he caused resentment amongst Iraqis and allowed US greater role Said Iran had to limit violence against Sunnis because Iran and its proxies were blamed Iran gave weapons to KRG in return for oil and development contracts Iran got sewage project in south Iraq after paid $16 mil bribe to MP
(Musings On Iraq Overview of Iran’s Influence In Iraq)
(Musings On Iraq Iranian Revolutionary Guards’ Commander General Suleimani And His Role In Iraq, An Interview With The New Yorker’s Dexter Filkins)
Nov 18 PM Abdul Mahdi’s office said it would issue warrants for teachers behind school
strikes
Nov 18 Some major roads in Basra blocked for strike including some to Rumaila oil field
Road to Karbala airport and refinery blocked Univ of Dhi Qar closed by protests
Nov 18 Report based on leaked Iranian docs Head of Military Intel Gen Maksousi sent
message to Iran that he was at their service because they were Shiites and had common enemy Gave Iran US targeting lists Was made head of Military Intel under PM Maliki Got rid of opposition members in agency US stopped working with Military Intel because of Maksousi Accused of involvement in assassination of ISF officers by militias and pilots from Iran-Iraq War 1 doc said 180 Iraqi pilots had been killed
Nov 19 Report PM Abdul Mahdi’s military spokesman Gen Khalaf became known for
ridiculous statements about protests Said police didn’t use live ammo or tear gas against protests Called demonstrators vandals Said they were making bombs in Baghdad
Nov 19 Ninewa govt voted to dismiss Gov Marid He refused to step down
Nov 19 Most of the ruling parties met in Baghdad Agreed to give PM Abdul Mahdi 45
days to carry out reforms
Nov 19 Human Rights Commission called on PM Abdul Mahdi to stop ISF kidnapping
activists and journalists
(Musings On Iraq Iraqi Forces Kidnapping Protesters In Intimidation Campaign)
(Musings On Iraq UN Report On Violence Against Iraqi Protesters)
(Musings On Iraq United Nations Faults Iraq For Failing To Protect Protesters)
Nov 20 US govt report IS disjointed in Iraq Lacked public support or ability to carry out large
ops ISF not large enough to hold areas it cleared Had limited ability in less populated areas where IS operated in ISF wouldn’t conduct large ops without US support
(Musings On Iraq US Report Finds Continued Shortcomings In Iraqi Forces While Islamic State Disjointed)
Nov 20 27 protesters wounded in night clashes with police in Baghdad Protesters blocked
Safwan border crossing in Basra Roads to Khor al-Zubayr and Um Qasr ports Rumaila oil field still blocked ISF and people in black uniforms launched arrest campaign in central Karbala Activist assassinated in Karbala after being kidnapped Another activist in Baghdad abducted
(Musings On Iraq UN Report On Violence Against Iraqi Protesters)
(Musings On Iraq United Nations Faults Iraq For Failing To Protect Protesters)
Nov 21 Kataib Hezbollah said Def Min bought tear gas used vs protesters after Def Min
Shammari claimed that 3rd party shooting demonstrators
(Musings On Iraq Hashd Retaliate Against Iraq’s Defense Minister For Comments On Protests)
(Musings On Iraq Instrument Of Iran’s Power In Iraq And Syria Kataib Hezbollah)
Nov 21 Report Natl Sec Adv Fayad Badr head Amiri PM Abdul Mahdi’s chief of staff
Hashemi met with Iran’s Supreme Leader Khamenei in Tehran Said protests would be put down with force and PM Abdul Mahdi supported
(Musings On Iraq UN Report On Violence Against Iraqi Protesters)
(Musings On Iraq United Nations Faults Iraq For Failing To Protect Protesters)
(Musings On Iraq Badr Organization A View Into Iraq’s Violent Past And Present)
Nov 21 Fmr head of Integrity Comm said $350-$400 bil missing due to corruption Said 6000
projects with completion rate of only 1-5% Another 12,000 projects where only 500 were started
Nov 21 3 protesters killed in Baghdad ISF fired live ammo into crowd killing 1 2 more killed
by tear gas cannisters Baghdad Ops command denied any deaths Clashes between police and protesters in Karbala Protests in Basra Dhi Qar Karbala
Nov 21 Media Comm ordered closing of 10 TV stations for covering protests and warned 5
others of violating their licenses Warned some radio stations as well
Nov 22 Pro-Iran Hashd released story that Def Min Shammari received disabilities welfare
when he lived in Sweden and docs showing Def Min bought tear gas and used it against demonstrators after Shammari claimed 3rd party shooting demonstrators
(Musings On Iraq Hashd Retaliate Against Iraq’s Defense Minister For Comments On Protests)
Nov 22 Report Abu Karma and Mukhisa villages in central Diyala completely empty of
people after IS attacks
(Musings On Iraq The Islamic State’s Failed Comeback In Iraq)
Nov 22 4 protesters killed in Baghdad Activist kidnapped in Baghdad Protests blocking Um
Qasr port in Basra and Gharraf oil field in Dhi Qar ended by police 2 activists shot by Hashd Activist’s house bombed in Diwaniya
(Musings On Iraq UN Report On Violence Against Iraqi Protesters)
(Musings On Iraq United Nations Faults Iraq For Failing To Protect Protesters)
Nov 23 1 protester killed in Baghdad with rubber bullets Media counted 341 demonstrators
killed so far Activist escaped assassination attempt in Maysan
(Musings On Iraq UN Report On Violence Against Iraqi Protesters)
(Musings On Iraq United Nations Faults Iraq For Failing To Protect Protesters)
Nov 24 Main roads in Basra city blocked by protests 7 killed as ISF cleared protest outside
Um Qasr port using live ammo Road to West Qurna 1 and Majnoon oil fields blocked Govt building and Shiite Endowment burned main roads and bridges blocked in Nasiriya Protesters tried to storm govt building in Karbala 4 protesters killed in Dhi Qar 1 in Najaf 1 in Qadisiya
(Musings On Iraq UN Report On Violence Against Iraqi Protesters)
(Musings On Iraq United Nations Faults Iraq For Failing To Protect Protesters)
Nov 24 Students marched in 4 cities in DIyala to support protest movement
Nov 24 Military spokesman for PM Abdul Mahdi said gangs infiltrated protests to destroy
state property
Nov 24 Report ISF officers said they ignored orders to kidnap leaders in Baghdad protest
movement
Nov 24 Report Dynasty Oil filed lawsuit vs KRG and Natural Resource Min Hawrami in UK
Claimed Hawrami demanded a bribe to finish deal already agreed upon Dynasty refused KRG then tried to end deal Dep PM Talabani called Dynasty CEO and threatened to cancel deal PUK intel told to intimidate Dynasty
(Musings On Iraq Iraqi Kurdistan’s Failed Independent Oil Strategy)
Nov 25 Police stormed bridge blocked by protesters in Hillah Main roads in Basra and
Najaf blocked Highway blocked and houses of 2 politicians and Dawa office burned in Dhi Qar 1 demonstrator killed in Baghdad 2 activists in Baghdad escaped assassination attempt
(Musings On Iraq Iraq Protests Escalate Once Again)
Nov 25 Interior Min spokesman said police were constantly attacked by protesters Said
demonstrators were trying to provoke police Said casualty figures of protesters was exaggerated
Nov 26 Media Comm closed 8 satellite TV stations Warned 5 others for covering protests
Nov 27 Protesters blocked govt offices in Basra city highway in Fao ISF cleared protest
outside Majnoon oil field Govt building burned in Dhi Qar Roads blocked in Karbala and Najaf Iranian consulate burned Ashurba Brigades shot at protesters outside Ayatollah Hakim shrine Killed total of 27 over 4 days
(Musings On Iraq Iraq Protests Escalate Once Again)
(Musings On Iraq UN Report On Violence Against Iraqi Protesters)
(Musings On Iraq United Nations Faults Iraq For Failing To Protect Protesters)
Nov 27 Report Quds Force Cmdr Gen Suleimani arrived in Baghdad to block resignation of
PM Abdul Mahdi Got support of Badr’s Amiri
(Musings On Iraq Iranian Revolutionary Guards’ Commander General Suleimani And His Role In Iraq, An Interview With The New Yorker’s Dexter Filkins)
Nov 27 KRG announced new deal with Baghdad over 2020 budget KRG would export
250,000 bar/day of oil for Baghdad in return for monthly payments
Nov 28 Sadr said protests could lead to end of Iraq if PM Abdul Mahdi didn’t resign Abadi
warned of collapse of govt if didn’t resign
Nov 28 60 protesters killed in Nasiriya by police and Saraya al-Salam 10 killed in Najaf 4
killed in Baghdad 3 killed in Wasit Police station burned in Nasiriya in one of deadliest days since unrest started in Oct
(Musings On Iraq One Of The Deadliest Days Of Protests At Least 25 Killed In Nasiriya)
(Musings On Iraq UN Report On Violence Against Iraqi Protesters)
(Musings On Iraq United Nations Faults Iraq For Failing To Protect Protesters)
Nov 28 PM Abdul Mahdi announced crisis cells between military and governors to deal
with protests
Nov 28 Dhi Qar governor got head of new crisis cell to be dismissed for deaths of
protesters Then governor resigned
Nov 29 PM Abdul Mahdi said he resigned after Ayatollah Sistani’s Friday message
Nov 29 Najaf police chief resigned after massacre of protesters Nov 28 2nd Dep Gov of
Najaf resigned Said protesters were being murdered
(Musings On Iraq UN Report On Violence Against Iraqi Protesters)
(Musings On Iraq United Nations Faults Iraq For Failing To Protect Protesters)
Nov 29 53 killed in clashes between protesters and ISF continued in Nasiriya and by ISCI
Hashd outside shrine 20 killed in Najaf Activist in Maysan assassinated
Nov 29 Human Rights Comm said 354 protesters killed 8,104 injured
Nov 30 Protesters in Najaf set entrance to shrine of Mohammed Baqir al-Hakim on fire
ISCI’s Ashura Brigades shot at crowd killing 3 Protests then turned on ISCI official in city
(Musings On Iraq UN Report On Violence Against Iraqi Protesters)
(Musings On Iraq United Nations Faults Iraq For Failing To Protect Protesters)
Nov 30 Solidarity protests in Kirkuk and Mosul
Dec 1 Parliament accepted resignation of PM Abdul Mahdi
Dec 1 Iranian consulate in Najaf burned again Adviser to Iran’s Khamenei called protesters
bastards Called on Hashd to deal with them
Dec 1 Warrant issued for ex-military cmdr in Dhi Qar for killing protesters Over 100 deaths
in last few days Nothing happened to general
Dec 1 Wasit court gave death sentence to SWAT officer and prison for another for killing
protesters
Dec 2 Human Rights Watch Protesters were being disappeared in Baghdad Human Rights
Comm said some were kidnapped
Dec 3 50 out of 70 families fled town in Kahanqin dist Diyala because of IS 6 villages in area
completely empty
(Musings On Iraq The Islamic State’s Failed Comeback In Iraq)
Dec 3 Activists in Anbar fled to avoid arrests Activist said govt was threatening them to stop
joining protest movement
Dec 3 Protests in Dhi Qar and Kirkuk Clashes with ISF in Karbala and Basra Iranian consulate
in Najaf burned for 3rd time Ex-General and MPs house burned in Diwaniya
Dec 4 Report US officials said Iran still sending short range ballistic missiles to Iraq
(Musings On Iraq News Of Iran Moving Missiles Into Iraq Continue)
Dec 4 Human Rights Watch ISF using lethal force vs protesters PM Abdul Mahdi ordered not
to use live ammo but not followed Nov Human Rights Comm reported 354 protesters killed 8104 injured Actual numbers likely higher Nov 28 16 protesters killed outside Ayatollah Hakim shrine when guards opened fire on crowd Guards at Iranian consulate in Najaf also fired on protesters Najaf govt called on Baghdad to stop killings and punish those responsible ISCI Hashd blamed for killings Nov 28 Emergency Response Div fired on protesters in Nasiriya killing 25 wounding 160 PM Abdul Mahdi removed head of Dhi Qar security afterward Dec 1 policeman sentenced to death for killing protester in Wasit Another officer got 7 yrs Only people punished
Dec 4 Activist assassinated in Baghdad Another kidnapped 1 protester killed in Basra from
gun shot
Dec 5 Pro-Iran Hashd marched into Tahrir Sq to disrupt protests 20 people stabbed Asaib
Ahl Al-Haq blamed Protests in Kirkuk Diwaniya Karbala Dhi Qar
(Musings On Iraq Pro-Iran Hashd Stab Protesters In Baghdad’s Tahrir Square)
(Musings On Iraq UN Report On Violence Against Iraqi Protesters)
(Musings On Iraq United Nations Faults Iraq For Failing To Protect Protesters)
(Musings On Iraq Asaib Ahl Al-Haq From A Breakaway Sadr Militia To Defenders Of Iraq)
Dec 5 Report Got Interior Min doc Said police shot at protesters in Wasit on Oct 2 Fired over
1000 bullets
Dec 5 Report Hezbollah and Quds Force Cmdr Gen Suleimani in Baghdad to negotiate new
PM
(Musings On Iraq Iranian Revolutionary Guards’ Commander General Suleimani And His Role In Iraq, An Interview With The New Yorker’s Dexter Filkins)
Dec 6 US sanctioned Asaib Ahl Al-Haq’s Qais and Laith Khazali for orchestrating
suppression of protests and sectarian cleansing of Sunnis in Diyala Hashd leader Hussein Al-Lami for suppressing protests Businessman Khamis al-Khanjar for corruption
(Musings On Iraq Asaib Ahl Al-Haq From A Breakaway Sadr Militia To Defenders Of Iraq)
(Musings On Iraq US Sanctions Iraqi Businessman Khanjar For Bribery And Supporting Iran)
(Musings On Iraq UN Report On Violence Against Iraqi Protesters)
(Musings On Iraq United Nations Faults Iraq For Failing To Protect Protesters)
Dec 6 Kataib Hezbollah blamed for shooting protesters in Baghdad’s Al-Khalani Sq and
setting fire to parking garage Up to 85 killed at least 130 wounded
(Musings On Iraq Pro-Iran Hashd Carry Out Another More Deadly Attack Upon Baghdad Protesters)
(Musings On Iraq Kataib Hezbollah With Help From Security Forces Blamed For Friday’s Massacre Of Baghdad Protesters)
(Musings On Iraq Instrument Of Iran’s Power In Iraq And Syria Kataib Hezbollah)
Dec 7 Gunmen in trucks did drive by shooting at Baghdad protest site
Dec 7 Report ISF were ordered to withdraw from Baghdad protest site before Kataib
Hezbollah attacked it Hashd group called to expel saboteurs at protests Kataib Hezbollah gunmen came from Green Zone Sadr’s blue hats deployed to protest site afterward to secure it
Dec 7 Report Kataib Hezbollah used Hashd IDs to get through checkpoints to reach Baghdad
protest site to attack it Interior Min knew about gunmen going to site Power cut to site before attack Was coordinated with Baghdad Ops Cmd 300-400 Kataib Hezbollah gunmen met at mosque and then moved on site ISF withdrew from site before attack Kataib Hezbollah members infiltrated site to cause chaos during attack 1 Kataib Hezbollah member arrested and confessed to attack
Dec 7 Hashd attacked protesters on Baghdad bridge Killed 7
(Musings On Iraq UN Report On Violence Against Iraqi Protesters)
(Musings On Iraq United Nations Faults Iraq For Failing To Protect Protesters)
Dec 8 Dozens of protesters were freed by ISF in Baghdad Said they were kidnapped by
Kataib Hezbollah on Dec 6 Activist assassinated in Karbala Activist kidnapped in Baghdad Activist wounded in sticky bomb in Qadisiya Activist escaped assassination in Maysan Protest in Diyala
(Musings On Iraq Iraqi Forces Kidnapping Protesters As Part Of Intimidation Campaign)
(Musings On Iraq UN Report On Violence Against Iraqi Protesters)
(Musings On Iraq United Nations Faults Iraq For Failing To Protect Protesters)
(Musings On Iraq Instrument Of Iran’s Power In Iraq And Syria Kataib Hezbollah)
Dec 8 Pro-Iran Hashd fired rockets at Baghdad Military Airport wounding 6 Counter Terror
Service members
Dec 9 Activist survived assassination attempt in Maysan Another escaped attempt in
Karbala and another one killed Doctor also lived after shooting Activist kidnapped in Basra Journalist found dead in Baghdad
Dec 9 Hashd claimed they were shot at by protesters in Baghdad and responded to save
people Blamed saboteurs for kidnapping protesters Said Sadr’s Sayara al-Salam were carrying weapons at site Came after Kataib Hezbollah attacked protest site and kidnapped people
Dec 9 Entrance to Um Qasr port in Basra blocked again by protesters
Dec 9 UN Abdul Mahdi govt used unlawful and excessive force vs protests Abuses after
arrests Was killings abductions arrests by unknown groups Oct 25 Court said protesters would be charged with terrorism Nov 24 Court reversed that ruling Nov 5 ISF shot at protesters in Um Qasr Basra Killed 2 Nov 5-8 66 protesters killed in Baghdad Nov 6-7 ISF fired at protesters to clear area outside govt building in Basra Burned tents at sit in site Nov 10-11 ISF killed 6 protesters in Baghdad with tear gas cannisters and rubber bullets Dec 1 court issued warrant for ISF commander in Baghdad for killings Nov 16 bomb at sit in site in Baghdad killed 6 Nov 24 ISF killed 4 more at Um Qasr Nov 27-30 Hashd killed 27 protesters in Najaf outside Hakim shrine Nov 27 Iranian consulate in Najaf burned Police withdrew giving Hashd control of city Nov 28 ISF killed 24 protesters in Dhi Qar Nov 29 Killed 17 outside Dhi Qar police station Dec 5 Hashd stabbed to death 9 protesters at sit in site in Baghdad Dec 6-7 Hashd attacked bridge in Baghdad killing 7 Series of assassinations of activists
Dec 10 Army Chief of Staff Gen Ghanmi said he would protect protesters ISF fired live
bullets at protesters and activist assassinated in Baghdad
Dec 11 Activist assassinated in Baghdad Another stabbed Report around 20 activists faced
assassinations in last 2 months 11 killed in Baghdad Basra Maysan Karbala Dhi Qar
Dec 12 Report Dec 6 Hashd attacked protest square in Baghdad Kidnapped dozens of people
who were beat stabbed and some killed Some thought up to 85 killed total Hashd let through checkpoints by ISF to and from square Abdul Mahdi govt claimed it was a clash between Hashd and Sadrists
Dec 12 PM Abdul Mahdi created committee to investigate killings of protesters Nothing
happened
Dec 13 Sec State Pompeo warned Iran of decisive response if US interests harmed in Iraq
Came after series of rocket attacks by Hashd group Said Iraqi govt had to stop those groups
Dec 13 Mohammed Sudani from Dawa named as candidate for PM Resigned from State of
Law Promoted by State of Law and Fatah He was rejected
Dec 14 Report Asaib Ahl Al-Haq’s financial networks expanding inside/outside Iraq Had
networks in Germany France Italy where money is sent to Took over oil fields and smuggled oil Sold parts from Baiji refinery for around $20 mil Oil Min gave group maintenance and cleaning contracts for oil fields in Kirkuk Ninewa Salahaddin Got oil trucking contract Runs scrap metal business in Mosul
(Musings On Iraq Expansion of the Hashd al-Shaabi’s influence In Iraq, Interview With Clingendael’s Erwin van Veen)
Dec 14 PM candidate Sudani tried to meet with Ayatollah Sistani but rejected Report that
Pres Salah and Sadr rejected his nomination Protesters burned Sudani’s house in Maysan
Dec 14 Activist killed outside protest square in Baghdad
Dec 15 PM Abdul Mahdi said he would not apply US sanctions on Iraq-Iran figures in Iraq
Dep 15 Report Mass grave with 643 people found in Anbar Thought to be displaced
kidnapped and killed by Hashd
(Musings On Iraq Missing 600 From Anbar’s Saqlawiya Finally Found Dead?)
(Musings On Iraq Crimes And Misdemeanors Of Kataib Hezbollah During War Vs ISIS Interview With Free Lance Journalist Jonathan Lee Krohn)
Dec 15 Journalist and activist assassinated and 2 protesters kidnapped in Baghdad 2
activists injured by sticky bomb in Diwaniya
Dec 16 Human Rights Watch Unknown armed groups and ISF attacked and killed
protesters 29-80 killed 137 wounded During attack on protest square in Baghdad power was cut and ISF withdrew from area 7 trucks pulled up and fired into crowd Then went to another place and shot and stabbed protesters Dozens also kidnapped Afterwards ISF returned to positions Human Rights Comm said 9 killed 85 wounded Medical source said 29 killed 137 wounded Times of London reported 80-85 deaths Kataib Hezbollah blamed
Dec 16 Human Rights Comm reported 48 activists kidnapped and not seen against since start
of protests in Oct
(Musings On Iraq UN Report On Violence Against Iraqi Protesters)
(Musings On Iraq United Nations Faults Iraq For Failing To Protect Protesters)
Dec 18 Report Gorran MP said $40 mil/mo stolen from KRG border crossing
Dec 19 Report Hezbollah’s Kawtharani helping Iran Rev Guards Quds Force’s Gen
Suleimani lobby Iraqi leaders over new premier
(Musings On Iraq Hezbollah Helping Iran Negotiate New Premier For Iraq)
(Musings On Iraq Iranian Revolutionary Guards’ Commander General Suleimani And His Role In Iraq, An Interview With The New Yorker’s Dexter Filkins)
Dec 19 Report Massoud and Masrour Barzani stole 28% of KRG’s oil exports Money put in
account in Cyprus under Masrour’s mistress
(Musings On Iraq Corruption In Iraq An Interview With Stuart Bowen Special Inspector General for Iraq Reconstruction)
(Musings On Iraq Iraq’s Trouble Fighting Corruption Interview With Vincent Foulk Former US Anti-Graft Official)
Dec 20 Report Quds Force Cmdr Gen Suleimani threatened Sadr to deny him entry to
Iran and Lebanon Also threatened Pres Salah and Speaker Halbusi Part of negotiations to pick new PM
Dec 20 UN condemned continued attacks on activists Dec 8 and 15 sticky bombs in
Qadisiya and Karbala Dec 8 human rights activist survived assassination Karbala activist killed Dec 10 human rights activists assassinated Dec 14 1 activist killed 2 wounded in Baghdad
(Musings On Iraq UN Report On Violence Against Iraqi Protesters)
(Musings On Iraq United Nations Faults Iraq For Failing To Protect Protesters)
Dec 20 Activist assassinated in Dhi Qar Led to attack on govt building by demonstrators
Dec 21 Protesters set fire to govt building in Dhi Qar after activist assassinated
Dec 22 Activist in Maysan assassinated Activists hacked websites of cabinet Agriculture Min
and an MP 3rd time govt sites had been hacked
Dec 23 ISF cmdr said 108 abandoned villages in Ninewa and 25 in Diyala with 1000s
displaced due to IS attacks Said IS targeted mayors and collaborates Govt wanted to arm 50 villages in Ninewa against IS but nothing happened
(Musings On Iraq The Islamic State’s Failed Comeback In Iraq)
Dec 23 Protests in Dhi Qar Qadisiya Karbala Najaf Babil Baghdad Basra City Um Qasr West
Qurna oil field stormed
Dec 24 Human Rights Comm said 250 families displaced by IS in Diyala’s Khanaqin Dist
(Musings On Iraq The Islamic State’s Failed Comeback In Iraq)
Dec 26 Pres Salah offered to resign over Bina list nominating Basra Governor Eidani for
premier
(Musings On Iraq Iraq’s President Threatens To Resign Over Unpopular Nominations For Premier)
Dec 26 Report Financial Supervision Bureau report said govt only spent 9.3 bil dinars of
33 tril dinar investment budget Only 2%
Dec 26 Parliament’s human rights committee voiced concern about increasing
assassinations and kidnappings of activists
Dec 26 Report Gen Abdoudi given command of Green Zone From Badr Fought on Iranian
side in Iran-Iraq War and joined Iranian Revolutionary Guard’s Quds Force Worked in Iran as part of Guard’s Ramadan Corps that trained operatives and militia to work in Iraq Was director of Hashd Ops and then adv to Abdul Mahdi for Hashd Affairs
Dec 27 Kataib Hezbollah blamed for rocket attack on K1 Military Base Kirkuk that killed 2
Iraqi police 1 US contractor and wounded 2 Iraqi soldiers and 4 US soldiers US retaliated by killing Hashd leader Abu Muhandis and Quds Force cmdr Gen Suleimani
(Musings On Iraq Instrument Of Iran’s Power In Iraq And Syria Kataib Hezbollah)
Dec 27 Activist assassinated in Basra
Dec 27 Report Iran sent missiles to Hashd Kataib Hezbollah stored Iranian missiles in Babil ‘ and Baghdad
Dec 28 Report Human Rights Comm said 490 protesters killed Included 33 that were
assassinated 22,000 wounded 56 missing after being kidnapped 12 released after being abducted
(Musings On Iraq UN Report On Violence Against Iraqi Protesters)
(Musings On Iraq United Nations Faults Iraq For Failing To Protect Protesters)
Dec 28 Nasiriya oil field shut down due to protests
Dec 29 US hit 3 Kataib Hezbollah bases in Anbar 28 killed 48 wounded 3 Iranians also
died Was retaliation for Dec 27 rocket attack on K1 Military Base in Kirkuk that killed US contractor Hashd leader Abu Muhandis warned of harsh response to US attack
(Musings On Iraq Instrument Of Iran’s Power In Iraq And Syria Kataib Hezbollah)
(Musings On Iraq US Retaliates Against Kataib Hezbollah Raising Question Of What Comes Next?)
(Musings On Iraq Kataib Hezbllah’s Role Along The Iraq-Syrian Border: Security Profits Supporting Iran)
Dec 29 Reports Dawa split over Maliki trying to control party Picked candidate for PM
without consulting with leadership 2 members of leadership resigned in protest
Dec 29 Report Meeting at Badr’s Amiri’s house came up with 3 new candidates for PM
None successful Sadrists mentioned National Intel Service head Kazemi as candidate Would become PM
Dec 30 Human Rights Commission 33 assassinations and attempted assassinations of
journalists and activists 14 killed 19 wounded Pro-Iran groups accused of attacks
Dec 30 Hashd leader Abu Muhandis met with Kataib Hezbollah and cmdr in Iran’s Quds
Force Dep Natl Sec Adv and Babylon Brigades leader Agreed to have Kataib Hezbollah men march on US embassy in Green Zone Muhandis told Natl Sec Adv Falah Fayad of plan Quds Force cmdr Gen Suleimani asked Badr head Amiri and Asaib Ahl Al-Haq leader Khazali to take part Adv to PM Abdul Mahdi said he was open to letting protest into Green Zone Discussed attacking embassy Some wanted to storm embassy and take hostages Some wanted Iraq to cut diplomatic relations with Iraq Aftermath of US strike on Kataib Hezbollah
Dec 30 Trump met with natl sec team He decided to kill Gen Suleimani in retaliation for
Pro-Iran groups’ attacks on Americans in Iraq
Dec 31 Pro-Iran Hashd groups Kataib Hezbollah Badr Saraya al-Khorasani Asaib Ahl Al-
Haq Harakat Nujaba let into Green Zone Attacked US Embassy Demanded US forces withdraw from Iraq Set fire to part of Embassy Set up protest camp outside
(Musings On Iraq Pro-Iran Groups Take Next Step To Expel US Forces From Iraq)
(Musings On Iraq Asaib Ahl Al-Haq From A Breakaway Sadr Militia To Defenders Of Iraq)
(Musings On Iraq Khorasani Brigade Another Iraq Militia That Returned Home From Syria To Fight The Insurgency)
(Musings On Iraq Instrument Of Iran’s Power In Iraq And Syria Kataib Hezbollah)
(Musings On Iraq Iraq’s Sheikh Akram Al-Kaabi and Hezbollah al-Nujaba)
Dec 31 Trump threatened Iran if US embassy was breached by Hashd protesters
Dec 31 Protesters burned company affiliated with Dhi Qar governor and burned house of
deputy head of provincial council after activist killed
2020
Jan 1 Hashd protest outside US Embassy Burned entrance to reception area Guards fired
tear gas Demonstrators began leaving Included Kataibh Hezbollah Harak Nujaba Badr Sayara al-Khorasani, Asaib Ahl Al-Haq
(Musings On Iraq Pro-Iran Groups Take Next Step To Expel US Forces From Iraq)
(Musings On Iraq Instrument Of Iran’s Power In Iraq And Syria Kataib Hezbollah)
(Musings On Iraq Iraq’s Sheikh Akram Al-Kaabi and Hezbollah al-Nujaba)
(Musings On Iraq Asaib Ahl Al-Haq From A Breakaway Sadr Militia To Defenders Of Iraq)
(Musings On Iraq Khorasani Brigade Another Iraq Militia That Returned Home From Syria To Fight The Insurgency)
Jan 2 US fired missiles at Kataib Hezbollah camps in Anbar used to house missiles from
Iran
Jan 2 Report Abu Muhandis met with Dep Nat Sec Adv Shatri Kataib Hezbollah Iranian
Quds Force representatives to plan attack upon US embassy in Baghdad Advisor to PM Abdul Mahdi was to open gates of Green Zone to allow Hashd in to march on embassy Was ordered by Quds Force Cmdr Gen Suleimani
(Musings On Iraq Iranian Revolutionary Guards’ Commander General Suleimani And His Role In Iraq, An Interview With The New Yorker’s Dexter Filkins)
Jan 2 Activist assassinated in Baghdad Another one survived an attack in Nasiriya 3rd was
kidnapped in the capitol Demonstrations in Maysan blocked main road demanding governor resign
(Musings On Iraq UN Report On Violence Against Iraqi Protesters)
(Musings On Iraq United Nations Faults Iraq For Failing To Protect Protesters)
Jan 2 Electricity Min signed deal with Gulf Cooperation Council to import 500mw of
electricity Would need to build 2 transmission lines from Kuwait
Jan 3 Iranian Revolutionary Guards Quds Force Cmdr Gen Suleimani and Kataib
Hezbollah cmdr-Dep Head of Hashd Commission Abu Muhandis killed in US strike in Baghdad
(Musings On Iraq Iranian Revolutionary Guards’ Commander General Suleimani And His
(Musings On Iraq How Will The Deaths Of General Suleimani and Abu Muhandis Affect Iraq? Comments by the Washington Institute’s Mike Knights)
(Musings On Iraq Instrument Of Iran’s Power In Iraq And Syria Kataib Hezbollah)
Jan 3 Citing the deaths of Gen Suleimani and Abu Muhandis resigned PM Abdul Mahdi
called for a special session of parliament to discuss the U.S. military presence in Iraq
(Musings On Iraq Iran’s Political Plan Unfolding In Iraq)
Jan 4 US led Coalition said that it would limit operations in Iraq and suspend training to
protect its forces from threats after the deaths of Gen Suleimani and Abu Muhandis
(Musings On Iraq Iranian Revolutionary Guards’ Commander General Suleimani And His Role In Iraq, An Interview With The New Yorker’s Dexter Filkins)
Jan 4 Report Asaib Ahl Al-Haq’s Al-Ahd TV called resistance media Promoted Shiite
supremacy and sectarianism Blamed Sunnis for death of Ali Claimed world supports Shiites Said Iraqi state was illegitimate for being corrupt and incompetent Said Iran had better model for govt Rejected west Threatened people who criticized Asaib Ahl Al-haq
Jan 4 Najaf activist wounded in assassination attempt Man killed after leaving protest site
in Baghdad
(Musings On Iraq UN Report On Violence Against Iraqi Protesters)
(Musings On Iraq United Nations Faults Iraq For Failing To Protect Protesters)
Jan 4 Report Iran’s Quds Force cmdr Gen Suleimani met with Iraqi allies in Baghdad Oct
2019 Told Abu Muhandis to increase Hashd attacks on US Wanted to divert attention away from protests that were attacking Iranian influence Wanted to provoke US retaliation that could be used for propaganda
Jan 4 Baghdad’s Green Zone and 1 other neighborhood and Balad air base in Salahaddin
hit by rockets fired by pro-Iran groups
Jan 5 Parliament voted on non-binding resolution to have US forces leave Iraq
(Musings On Iraq Iran’s Political Plan Unfolding In Iraq)
Jan 5 Before parliament session on US withdrawal Kataib Hezbollah threatened to expose
any MP that voted against resolution Made personal threats as well
(Musings On Iraq Instrument Of Iran’s Power In Iraq And Syria Kataib Hezbollah)
Jan 5 Trump threatened sanctions on Iraq if US forces expelled Said US not leaving until
Iraq paid for air base US used
Jan 5 Report When US military presented retaliation plans to Trump over American killed
by pro-Iran groups didn’t choose killing Iranian Gen Suleimani After Trump saw pro-Iran groups set fire to US embassy changed his mind and Suleimani killed
Jan 5 Funeral procession for Iran Rev Guards Quds Force Cmdr Gen Suleimani tried to
enter sit-in protest sites in Basra and Nasiriya In Basra attacked protesters and burned tents Nasiriya fired into crowd killing 2 Protesters then burned Hashd office in retaliation
(Musings On Iraq Funeral for Iran’s Gen Suleimani And Hashd Leader Muhandis Used To Attack Protesters)
(Musings On Iraq UN Report On Violence Against Iraqi Protesters)
(Musings On Iraq United Nations Faults Iraq For Failing To Protect Protesters)
Jan 5 Sadr called for all resistance factions to unite after killing of Iranian Gen Suleimani
Then reversed himself Tried to take advantage of situation and assert leadership of pro-Iran groups
(Musings On Iraq UN Report On Violence Against Iraqi Protesters)
(Musings On Iraq United Nations Faults Iraq For Failing To Protect Protesters)
Jan 5 Pro-Iran groups fired rockets at Green Zone One landed in residential area wounding
3 civilians
Jan 6 Retired PM Abdul Mahdi said a legal memo was being drawn up to have US forces
leave Iraq Told US Amb to Iraq that 2 countries had to work together on withdrawal
(Musings On Iraq Iraq and US Struggling With American Military Withdrawal)
Jan 6 Pres Salah received copy of US sanctions that would be imposed upon Iraq if US
forces expelled from country
Jan 6 US Marines told planning to withdraw from Iraq following request from parliament
Def Sec Esper then said US had no plans to leave Iraq
Jan 7 Iran fired ballistic missiles a Ain Al-Assad Base in Anbar and at Irbil causing some
Iraqi casualties Tehran said was revenge for killing Iran Rev Guards Quds Force Cmdr Gen Suleimani 64 US personnel wounded
(Musings On Iraq Could Missile Attack On Iraqi Bases Defuse US-Iran Tensions?)
Jan 7 Funeral procession for Gen Suleimani attacked Nasiriya protest site 2nd time Fired
into crowd killing 6
(Musings On Iraq Funeral for Iran’s Gen Suleimani And Hashd Leader Muhandis Used To Attack Protesters)
(Musings On Iraq UN Report On Violence Against Iraqi Protesters)
(Musings On Iraq United Nations Faults Iraq For Failing To Protect Protesters)
Jan 8 Report Iranian media said Iranian Rev Guard started 2nd wave of attacks on US bases
in Iraq Rockets fired at Irbil airport
Jan 9 Retired PM Abdul Mahdi called Sec State Pompeo Said US should send delegation to
set up withdrawal timeline
(Musings On Iraq US Increases Threats Against Iraq If It Forces US Troops To Leave)
Jan 9 UN said killing and kidnapping of protesters had to stop
(Musings On Iraq UN Report On Violence Against Iraqi Protesters)
(Musings On Iraq United Nations Faults Iraq For Failing To Protect Protesters)
Jan 9 Report Since 2013 spate of malls built in Baghdad’s Mansour Politicians took land
and then sold it to businessmen for cheap they were close to
Jan 10 Journalist assassinated after reporting on Basra protests Another journalist killed
while covering demonstrations 2 activists assassinated in Dhi Qar a 3rd survived attempt on his life
Jan 11 Trump threatened to freeze Iraq’s $35 bil in oil revenues deposited in US bank if
Baghdad forced US troops to leave
(Musings On Iraq US Increases Threats Against Iraq If It Forces US Troops To Leave)
Jan 11 Protester killed in Karbala in clash with security forces
Jan 13 Sadr met with Pro-Iran groups in Iran Agreed to call for US withdrawal from Iraq
Afterward fighting between Sadr’s Sayara al-Salm and Asaib Ahl Al-Haq ended
Jan 13 Report Speaker Halbusi and other Sunni leaders warned that they would protest if US
forces expelled from Iraq
Jan 14 Protest sites in Nasiriya Dhi Qar hit with mortars and activist assassinated Another
protester killed in Baghdad
Jan 15 Protest committee rejected Sadr’s call for million person demonstration against US
Jan 15 Kataib Hezbollah said it would force US to leave Iraq Said US had to follow will of
parliament that passed non-binding resolution for US to leave
Jan 16 Report New Quds Force cmdr Gen Qaani sent message to Hezbollah’s Nasrallah to
contact Hashd leaders and try to reconcile them Nasrallah got Hashd leaders to go to Iran and meet Sadr Iran wanted Hashd and Sadr to unite to force US out of Iraq Badr’s Amiri asked Sadr to back him as replacement for Abu Muahandis as dep head of Hashd Comm Sadr wanted half the leadership positions in commission in return and larger role for his Saraya al-Salam Deal never made
Jan 16 Activist disappeared after leaving protests in Baghdad Another assassinated in Babil
Reporter escaped assassination attempt in Sadr City Another received threats for covering protests
(Musings On Iraq UN Report On Violence Against Iraqi Protesters)
(Musings On Iraq United Nations Faults Iraq For Failing To Protect Protesters)
Jan 18 Front group for pro-Iran Hashd called for revenge for US killing Hashd leader Abu
Muhandis and Iran’s Quds Force Cmdr Gen Suleimani Said US would be targeted
Jan 18 Report Iraq War Crimes Documentation Center said 5 protesters killed and kidnapped
in Baghdad Dhi Qar Karbala Said Hashd kidnapped one activist in Baghdad Another person kidnapped in capital Protester killed by riot police on Baghdad bridge Hashd shot and killed protester in Karbala Activist’s house in Dhi Qar bombed Said 669 protesters had been killed since 10/1/19 Documented 30 assassinations
(Musings On Iraq UN Report On Violence Against Iraqi Protesters)
(Musings On Iraq United Nations Faults Iraq For Failing To Protect Protesters)
Jan 18 Report Hashd created list of journalists that covered protests in Basra city 2
journalists assassinated 1 of them posted on Facebook that journalists facing arrests and criticism from Iran for reporting on demonstrations 3 Hashd units took pictures of journalists and put them on lists
Jan 20 Report Abdul Mahdi govt started arrest campaign against activists Also continued
assassinations Snipers were used against protesters 10 protesters killed by ISF in Baghdad Basra Karbala Diyala
(Musings On Iraq UN Report On Violence Against Iraqi Protesters)
(Musings On Iraq United Nations Faults Iraq For Failing To Protect Protesters)
Jan 21 Report BP withdrew from Kirkuk field and 4100 mil contract after couldn’t come to
agreement over expanding field Originally signed deal in 2013
Jan 21 3 protesters killed by ISF blocking highway in Baghdad Protest camp in Basra city
shot at again
Jan 22 Human Rights Comm said last 2 days 10 protesters killed 130 wounded 2 activists
assassinated in Basra
Jan 23 Iraq ranked 17th most corrupt country in Transparency International’s annual
Corruption Perceptions Index Year before was ranked 18th most corrupt
(Musings On Iraq Iraq Continues To Rank In Bottom Of International Corruption Index)
Jan 23 Gunmen did drive by shooting of Basra city protest site
Jan 23 Amnesty Intl ISF resumed deadly attacks on protesters Started Jan 20 when 10 killed
in Baghdad Basra Karbala Diyala Jan 21 3 killed in Baghdad Jan 22 2 more killed in Basra Jan 21-22 ISF tried to break up Basra protests
(Musings On Iraq UN Report On Violence Against Iraqi Protesters)
(Musings On Iraq United Nations Faults Iraq For Failing To Protect Protesters)
Jan 24 Sadr and pro-Iran Hashd held anti-US march in Baghdad Sadrists also withdrew from
protest sites in Baghdad Maysan Basra upon orders of Sadr
(Musings On Iraq Sadr Holds Anti-U.S. Rally, Tilts Towards Iran, Then Crackdown On Protests)
Jan 24 Sadr withdrew support for protests and his followers began leaving sit-in sites
Jan 24 ISF killed 2 protesters in Baghdad Army broke up protest square in Dhi Qar using live
ammo
Jan 25 Report Interior Min shock forces attacked protest site in Basra Led by Gen Mishari
from Kataib Hezbollah Left Iraq for Iran under Saddam Returned 2003 Joined death squad Joined Interior Min and made officer Made head of Crime Dir in Basra Charged with murder and reassigned within Interior Formed shock forces in Basra Mishari claimed protesters killed in Basra were victims of gangs
(Musings On Iraq New Govt Crackdown On Iraq Protests)
(Musings On Iraq UN Report On Violence Against Iraqi Protesters)
(Musings On Iraq United Nations Faults Iraq For Failing To Protect Protesters)
Jan 25 Court case in UK accused 2 former Unaoil executives and sales managers paid bribes
to get contracts in Iraq’s oil industry from 2005-11 Unaoil was energy consultant agency Accused of helping company get contract to build 3 offshore floating loading system via bribes and manipulation Also helped Leighton Offshore get contract for 2 pipelines and installing floating loading system through bribes
Jan 26 Govt crackdown on protests continued with attacks on sites in Baghdad Basra
Nasiriya with 12 killed
(Musings On Iraq New Govt Crackdown On Iraq Protests)
(Musings On Iraq UN Report On Violence Against Iraqi Protesters)
(Musings On Iraq United Nations Faults Iraq For Failing To Protect Protesters)
Jan 26 Iraq Human Rights Comm said 12 protesters killed Jan 25-26 9 killed in Baghdad 3 in
Dhi Qar 426 wounded 89 arrested in Baghdad and Basra
Jan 26 Sadr set 12 conditions for protesters Said they had to be peaceful Kick out abusers
Not harm people Not block roads Return to schools Demand US withdrawal Not criticize other countries meaning Iran Kick out political parties Not criticize him
Jan 26 Sadr ally said protests had verged from their original path Warned that there would be
consequences if didn’t change path Came after Sadr withdrew supporters from demonstrations
Jan 27 Pro-Iran groups fired rockets at US Embassy in Baghdad Wounded 1-3 people Asst
Dep head of Hashd Comm said Hashd had nothing to do with attack Kataib Hezbollah said not right time to attack U.S. Badr’s Amiri said attacks might stop US from withdrawing Asaib Ahl Al-Haq spokesman said not responsible
(Musings On Iraq Tit For Tat Between U.S. and Pro-Iran Hashd Continues)
Jan 27 IS spokesman Qurayshi released speech Said IS needed patience and would endure
despite setbacks
Jan 27 ISF said that unknown group attacked protesters on Jan 26 Claimed police clashed
with an armed group Power was turned off at protest square in Nasiriya and then attacked Was done by police
(Musings On Iraq UN Report On Violence Against Iraqi Protesters)
(Musings On Iraq United Nations Faults Iraq For Failing To Protect Protesters)
Jan 27 Dhi Qar protest site attacked by gunmen in trucks Burned tents 2 protesters killed
Demonstrators burned house of councilman in Dhi Qar Police shot at protesters to break up protest in Karbala
Jan 28 Report Harakat al-Nujaba tried to unite Hashd factions under it after death of Abu
Muhandis Supposed to unite over getting US to leave Iraq Secretary general met with Quds Force cmdr Gen Gaani Also met with Sadr in Iran Leader was student of Ayatollah Sadiq al-Sadr
Jan 28 Report Interior Min forces raided Tigris channel in Baghdad in Oct Nov Jan for
covering protests
Jan 28 Report US suspended support for Iraq’s F-16s due to pro-Iran groups attacking bases
with US personnel
Jan 29 Fatah and Sadr’s Sairoon nominated Mohammed Allawi for PM Opposed by State of
Law Nomination failed
Jan 29 Member of Human Rights Comm said 121 activists kidnapped or assassinated since
Oct 2019 49 assassinated or survived attempts 68 kidnapped 56 of those still missing
(Musings On Iraq UN Report On Violence Against Iraqi Protesters)
(Musings On Iraq United Nations Faults Iraq For Failing To Protect Protesters)
Jan 29 Report Jan US killed Iran’s Gen Suleimani and Hashd leader Abu Muhandis 2 days
later parliament voted on resolution to have all foreign forces leave Iraq Was backed by PM Abdul Mahdi PM said killings were aggression vs Iraq US tried to stop parliamentary vote but failed Jun 2014 PM Maliki asked US forces to help fight IS All Iraq had to do was give a formal notice for US to leave PM met with US ambassador and told US had to comply with parliament’s resolution PM didn’t tell Foreign Ministry to formal request US leave Cmdr of US troops in Iraq sent letter to Iraq saying would start pulling out Letter leaked and Pentagon said it was a mistake US Sec Def Esper said US not leaving Abdul Mahdi said he took letter as official Trump White House rejected withdrawing Sec State Pompeo met with Abdul Mahdi over issue Trump said he wanted to withdraw US forces but now threatened sanctions on Iraq if forced US out
Jan 30 Report UN warned against continued violence against protesters Called for reforms
Said ISF was using live ammo against protesters and killing people Said govt was supposed to protect the people
Jan 31 Sadr called for his followers to return to protests after abandoning them reportedly
for Iran’s backing
(Musings On Iraq Sadr Returns To Iraq’s Protests After Betraying Them For Iran)
Jan 31 Human Rights Watch Starting Jan 25 ISF increased attacks on protests Burnt tents
Used live ammo Arrested people in Baghdad Basra Dhi Qar Tried to break up sit-in camps Crackdown started after Sadr withdrew support for demonstrations
(Musings On Iraq UN Report On Violence Against Iraqi Protesters)
(Musings On Iraq United Nations Faults Iraq For Failing To Protect Protesters)
Jan 31 3 protesters stabbed in Baghdad Were skirmishes between protesters and Sadrists in
Tahrir Sq
Jan 31 Report Sadr’s withdrawal of support for protests split his movement Many supported
change and demonstrations
Feb 1 Former Communications Minister Mohammed Allawi was named interim premier
Feb 1 Protest movement across Iraq rejected Allawi’s appointment
(Musings On Iraq Conflicts Between Protesters And Sadrists Over Their Return And New Interim Premier)
Feb 1 Sadrists attacked protesters in Baghdad’s Tahrir Square who were against
nomination of Allawi as new premier Then took over Turkish Restaurant
(Musings On Iraq Sadr Tries To Impose His Will On Iraq’s Protests)
Feb 2 Sadr issued statement saying protesters blocking roads should be arrested and
Education Min should punish students and teachers on strike
(Musings On Iraq Sadr Tries To Impose His Will On Iraq’s Protests)
Feb 2 Sadr spokesman said movement would impose peace upon protests and work with
ISF Said that saboteurs had to be expelled from demonstrations
(Musings On Iraq Sadr Tries To Impose His Will On Iraq’s Protests)
Feb 2 Sadrists tried to clear a bridge in Baghdad occupied by protesters but failed Attacked
demonstrators in Basra and Nasiriya who were against Allawi’s nomination as PM Tried to take over protest square in Karbala
(Musings On Iraq Sadr Tries To Impose His Will On Iraq’s Protests)
(Musings On Iraq UN Report On Violence Against Iraqi Protesters)
Feb 2 Human Rights Commission member said 543 protesters killed since 2019
Feb 3 Sadrists shot at protesters in Najaf killing 11 Shot and stabbed demonstrators in
Babil killing one Also stabbed to death protester in Baghdad
(Musings On Iraq Sadr Tries To Impose His Will On Iraq’s Protests)
(Musings On Iraq UN Report On Violence Against Iraqi Protesters)
(Musings On Iraq United Nations Faults Iraq For Failing To Protect Protesters)
Feb 4 Report Splits within Sadrists over breaking with protests Were posts on social media
criticizing Sadrist attacks on protesters Sadr movement accused protesters of all kinds of things to justify attacks
Feb 5 Suspected Hashd gunmen fired at Najaf protest site killing 7 Wounded 100
(Musings On Iraq UN Report On Violence Against Iraqi Protesters)
(Musings On Iraq United Nations Faults Iraq For Failing To Protect Protesters)
Feb 5 After KRG Natural Resource Min didn’t pick PUK connected company to truck
liquified gas from Khor Mor field in Sulaymaiya armed men blocked trucking company from entering field
Feb 5 Protest blocked road from Mosul to Dohuk in Ninewa Plains Demanded Hashd
withdraw
Feb 5 Report Sadr Tweet warned against people working for foreign agendas within protests
Said protesters were carrying weapons and his people would reveal saboteurs Many believed that would lead to more attacks on protesters Feb 3 Sadrists stabbed protester to death in Baghdad 3 more beaten in Babil Sadrists were trying to stop protests against Mohammed Allawi being nominated for PM
Feb 5 Sadrist said that Najaf protests had to be saved from infiltrators and saboteurs
Feb 5 Report 8 protesters killed 100 wounded in clashes with Sadrists in Najaf Sadrists
stormed protest square and burned tents
Feb 5 Report Mohammed Allawi agreed upon as nominee for PM in Iran in meetings between
Sadr and Badr’s Amiri Said would only have limited power Was to restore standing of govt and secure Iraq for elections Also would demand US leave and integrate Hashd into ISF
Feb 5 Report Since Iran’s Gen Suleimani killed by US Abdul Mahdi govt told military not to
ask US for aid in anti-IS ops No Coalition air strikes either
Feb 6 11 protesters killed 122 wounded in Sadrist attack on Najaf protest site Sadrists shot at
protesters in Karbala wounding 2 Tried to storm protest square there
Feb 7 Report Human Rights Comm said 543 protesters killed 266 killed in Baghdad
Feb 7 Sadr spokesman said Interior and Defense Mins had to take control of Iraq or it would
be lost Said had to deal with saboteurs corrupt and infiltrators Was talking about cracking down on protests which Sadr recently abandoned
Feb 8 Sadr reversed course again Said he would withdraw his people form protests
Announced 18 point charter for demonstrations Included ending school boycotts not blocking roads Not getting involved in politics
Feb 8 Report Sadr joined protests to try to use them in talks to form new govt Feb 2020
abandoned protests Followers killed 11 and wounded 122 in Najaf Wounded another 11 in Karbala Sadrists claimed no one died Said video of attack in Najaf was made by US
Feb 9 Activist kidnapped by gunmen from Najaf protest square Sadrists blamed 1 Wasit
protester killed by gunfire Wasit govt claimed protesters shot at ISF and killed the demonstrator
Feb 10 1 protester killed by ISF in Dhi Qar who used tear gas and live ammo to break up
demonstration
Feb 10 Sadrists said they would overthrow Mohammed Allawi’s govt if included ruling
parties
Feb 11 Sadr announced that he was disbanding the blue hats which were his people that
had joined the protests to protect them from attacks
Feb 11 Report After US killed Iran’s Gen Suleimani Lebanon’s Hezbollah met with pro-Iran
Hashd Told them to stay united Meetings hosted by Hezbollah’s rep to Iraq Kawtharani
Feb 11 Report 109 US soldiers had brain injuries from Iranian missile strike on Ain Assad air
base in Anbar in Jan Trump admin originally said no wounded Trump dismissed injuries when they were made public
Feb 12 Report Sadr turned against protests after deaths of Iranian Gen Suleimani and Hashd
leader Muhandis Before Sadr was on defensive against pro-Iran groups who were cutting into his base After Muhandis killed Sadr tried to expand his followers Tried to get member to replace Muhandis in Hashd Comm Also tried to rally pro-Iran groups behind him Called for anti-US march Jan Sadr met with pro-Iran groups in Iran Afterward violence between Sadrists and Asaib Ahl Al-Haq ended Still splits within Sadrists between militia and clerics Sadr’s flip flopping on issues created more divisions Sadr tried to use protests for his own gain Then ordered followers to leave Some Sadrists refused to leave protests 2 militia leaders assassinated showing rivalries still existed Iran pushed Sadr to join with other Shiite parties
Feb 13 Pro-Iran Hashd fired rockets at K1 base in Kirkuk 2nd such incident in 2020
(Musings On Iraq Tit For Tat Between U.S. and Pro-Iran Hashd Continues)
Feb 14 Report 2012-14 PM Maliki managed money laundering for Iranian Rev Guard and
Hezbollah Used money to support militias fighting in Syria 1 of Maliki’s secretary managed money along with MP from State of Law Maliki also set up intel cell to work with Syrian intel Kataib Hezbollah al-Nujaba received funds from scheme Also shipped weapons to militias in Syria
(Musings On Iraq Instrument Of Iran’s Power In Iraq And Syria Kataib Hezbollah)
Feb 15 Pro-Iran groups fired rockets at Baghdad’s Green Zone 3rd such attack in 2020
(Musings On Iraq Tit For Tat Between U.S. and Pro-Iran Hashd Continues)
Feb 15 Gunmen shot at protesters in Baghdad Burned tents Some accused Sadrists
Feb 16 Report Ayatollah Sistani attempted to assert control over Hashd after Iran’s Gen
Suleimani and Hashd leader Muhandis killed by US Pro-Najaf Hashd threatened to leave Hashd Comm if didn’t limit influence of Iran within body Sistani rep and pro-Najaf Hashd met with Hashd Comm head Fayad Demanded top positions within comm Didn’t happen
Feb 16 Riot police burned 3 tents of protesters in Baghdad
Feb 16 Report Harakat al-Nujaba Hezbollah threatened US forces in Iraq Said was countdown
to Iraqi sovereignty meaning US forces had to withdraw
Feb 19 Report PUK official said IS in Dibis Daquq Hamrin Mts areas of Kirkuk PUK MP said
many of those areas not well protected by ISF After Mosul fell in 2017 Hawija became a main base for IS
Feb 20 Muhammadawi aka Abu Fadak named new chief of staff of Hashd Comm Was from
Kataib Hezbollah Pro-Najaf Hashd objected to his appointment Said didn’t follow rules Pro-Najaf Hashd threatened to withdraw from commission if Muhammadawi stayed in office
(Musings On Iraq Pro-Iran Groups Name New Acting Head Of Hashd)
Feb 20 Report Human Rights Comm 528 protesters killed More than 24,000 injured 2800
arrested 38 still held 79 kidnapped 22 released
(Musings On Iraq UN Report On Violence Against Iraqi Protesters)
(Musings On Iraq United Nations Faults Iraq For Failing To Protect Protesters)
Feb 21 Pro-Iran groups fired mortars at Makhmour base Ninewa
(Musings On Iraq Tit For Tat Between U.S. and Pro-Iran Hashd Continues)
Feb 22 4 Hashd units loyal to Najaf objected to Abdul Muhammadawi from Kataib
Hezbollah being appointed new chief of staff of Hashd Comm by pro-Iran factions Threatened to withdraw from Commission if appointment confirmed
(Musings On Iraq Pro-Iran Groups Name New Acting Head of Hashd)
(Musings On Iraq Pro-Najaf Hashd Threaten To Leave Hashd Commission)
Feb 23 ISF killed 1 protester when opened fire on demonstration in Baghdad
Feb 24 Report War vs IS cost $13 bil Led to heavy borrowing from IMF World Bank Europe
Debt was $37 bil
Feb 24 Activist kidnapped in Karbala Police burned protest tents at sit square in Baghdad
Feb 26 2 protesters killed by ISF in Baghdad
Feb 27 Report Hashd had meeting before demonstration at US Embassy in Green Zone
happened at farm owned by Imam Ali Brigades 2 Iranians were present Included Abu Muhandis Badr’s Amiri Nat Sec Adv Fayad Khazali from Asaib Ahl Al-Haq Kataib Hezbollah Told Fayad to tell US Embassy there would be a protest but wouldn’t storm building Amiri told UK and EU ambassadors wouldn’t be protests at their embassies Told head of Green Zone security not to stop protesters Head of Babylon Brigades and Imam Ali Shibl al-Zaidi Brigades were to provide logistics
Feb 29 Kataib Hezbollah gave ISF political parties companies until March to stop working with
US or else Said Resistance was fighting the US occupation of Iraq
Feb 29 1 protester killed in clashes with ISF in Baghdad
Feb 29 Maliki’s State of Law said it wouldn’t join new Allawi govt
Mar 1 Pro-Iran groups fired rockets at Sadiq base in Salahaddin 3rd such incident in 2020
(Musings On Iraq Tit For Tat Between U.S. and Pro-Iran Hashd Continues)
Mar 1 Protester in Baghdad killed with hunting rifle
Mar 2 Mohammed Allawi resigned as premier designate after failing to get parliament to
approve his cabinet
(Musings On Iraq Allawi Gives Up Forming Govt As Iraqi Elite Fail Again)
Mar 2 Pro-Iran groups fired rockets at Baghdad’s Green Zone 4th such incident in 2020
(Musings On Iraq Tit For Tat Between U.S. and Pro-Iran Hashd Continues)
Mar 2 Kataib Hezbollah spokesman Tweeted that some people were going to nominate PM
who took part in killing of Iran Gen Suleimani Said would be declaration of war vs Iraq Said PM Abdul Mahdi should stay in office until elections held Claimed Najaf clergy could change demand that he resign Was reference to nominating Kazemi who was intel head and considered pro-US
Mar 2 Activist assassinated in Basra Protests in Basra Diwaniya
Mar 3 Report Jan Sadr withdrew followers from protests Pro-Iran parties moved to smash
demonstrations Accused protesters of being pro-US attacked protests in Basra Baghdad Wasit Dhi Qar Each protest site had own ideas and followers
Mar 4 Kataib Hezbollah claimed PM candidate Kazemi involved in killing of Iranian Gen
Suleimani
Mar 4 Report Trump admin trying to deport 100s of Iraqi Christians Said they would be safe in
Iraq Different testimonies about whether Christians would be safe or not if deported Jan Trump said would give extension to Iraqi Christians being deported Lawyers said nothing changed
Mar 5 Pro-Iran groups fired rockets at Baghdad’s Green Zone 5th such incident in 2020
(Musings On Iraq Tit For Tat Between U.S. and Pro-Iran Hashd Continues)
Mar 9 Report Russia dropped alliance with OPEC and increased oil production Saudi Arabia
increased its production Caused collapse in oil market Hurt Iraq the most as most oil dependent country in world Draft 2020 budget had huge deficit
Mar 9 3 protesters killed by Iraqi forces in Baghdad
Mar 10 Lawyer and activist assassinated in Amara Part of campaign by Hashd to kill and
intimidate protesters
(Musings On Iraq UN Report On Violence Against Iraqi Protesters)
(Musings On Iraq United Nations Faults Iraq For Failing To Protect Protesters)
Mar 11 Kataib Hezbollah fired rockets at Camp Taji in Baghdad killing 2 American and 1
British soldier and 1 US contractor 6th such incident in 2020
(Musings On Iraq Tit For Tat Between U.S. and Pro-Iran Hashd Continues)
(Musings On Iraq Instrument Of Iran’s Power In Iraq And Syria Kataib Hezbollah)
(Musings On Iraq As Talk Of Expelling US Forces From Iraq Dies Down Attacks Upon Americans Pick Up)
Mar 11 2 activists assassinated in Maysan Led protesters burned Asaib Ahl Al-Haq office
(Musings On Iraq Asaib Ahl Al-Haq From A Breakaway Sadr Militia To Defenders Of Iraq)
(Musings On Iraq UN Report On Violence Against Iraqi Protesters)
(Musings On Iraq United Nations Faults Iraq For Failing To Protect Protesters)
Mar 12 US-UK airstrikes on Hashd camps in east Syria Kataib Hezbollah bases in Babil
Anbar and Karbala Retaliation for rocket attack upon Camp Taji that killed 2 US soldiers 1 UK soldier and a US contractor Airstrikes killed 5 ISF
(Musings On Iraq Tit For Tat Between U.S. and Pro-Iran Hashd Continues)
(Musings On Iraq As Talk Of Expelling US Forces From Iraq Dies Down Attacks Upon Americans Pick Up)
Mar 12 Pro-Iran Hashd offices burned in Maysan after 2 activists assassinated Mar 11
Another activist survived assassination attempt
(Musings On Iraq UN Report On Violence Against Iraqi Protesters)
(Musings On Iraq United Nations Faults Iraq For Failing To Protect Protesters)
Mar 13 Camp Taji in Baghdad hit with rockets by pro-Iran groups 3 US soldiers and 3-4 ISF
wounded 2nd time hit in Mar
(Musings On Iraq Tit For Tat Between U.S. and Pro-Iran Hashd Continues)
Mar 15 Kataib Hezbollah threatened ISF political parties and companies to stop working
with US by this date or else Said it was fighting US occupation of Iraq
(Musings On Iraq Instrument Of Iran’s Power In Iraq And Syria Kataib Hezbollah)
Mar 16 Pro-Iran groups fired rockets at Besmaya base in Baghdad where Spanish trainers
located
Mar 17 Nasr MP and former governor of Najaf Adnan Zurfi named candidate for
interim premier
(Musings On Iraq Iraq Names Another Candidate For Interim Premier)
Mar 17 Pro-Iran groups fired rockets at Green Zone
Mar 18 4 pro-Najaf Hashd brigades asked to join Defense Ministry to protest control of
Hashd Commission by pro-Iran groups
(Musings On Iraq Pro-Najaf Hashd Threaten To Leave Hashd Commission)
(Musings On Iraq Resigned PM Abdul Mahdi Doesn’t Accept Units Leaving Hashd Commission)
Mar 18 Brent oil price dropped to $26 per barrel lowest since 2003 due to dispute between
Russia and Saudi Arabia along with COVID Led to economic crisis in Iraq the most oil dependent country in world
(Musings On Iraq Oil Prices Collapse And Iraq Has No Answers)
Mar 19 Report Trump vetoed air strikes on pro-Iran Hashd for recent attack on Camp Taji
that killed 2 US soldiers and wounded a US contractor Feared public reaction while dealing with COVID-19
Mar 19 Baghdad protest leaders said suspending demonstrations due to COVID-19
Mar 19 Meeting of Shiite parties at Ammar Hakim’s house Rejected Adnan al-Zurfi as PM
Mar 20 Report Iranian Rev Guard using Kataib Hezbollah base in Babil’s Jurf al-Sakhr to
train fighters from Afghanistan Bahrain Yemen Has missile manufacturing plant drone base air defense system underground tunnels Sends weapons to Syria Has secret prison Senior officers from Iranian Revolutionary Guard oversee facility Area off limits to ISF
(Musings On Iraq Pro-Iran Hashd Becoming A Regional Force For Tehran)
Mar 20 Report Iraq needed $76 bil/yr to cover salaries pensions social services Avg to $6
bil/month Threatened by collapse in oil prices due to Russian-Saudi dispute and COVID
(Musings On Iraq Oil Prices Collapse And Iraq Has No Answers)
Mar 21 UN found from Oct 2019-Mar 202 123 activists kidnapped 98 were found Part of
intimidation campaign by pro-Iran groups against protests
(Musings On Iraq UN Report On Violence Against Iraqi Protesters)
(Musings On Iraq United Nations Faults Iraq For Failing To Protect Protesters)
Mar 24 Interview with Hashd cmdr for west Anbar Musleh Said Hashd had forced out
Danish special forces in Qaim who were training tribal Hashd brigade Musleh said ISF too weak to protect Qaim
Mar 24 Report 2018 Iraq had electricity capacity of 30.3 gigawatts but actual capacity was
only 11.9 Power plants supposed to run on gas but used substitutes which ran plants at less than 60% of capacity 2018 Iraq produced 105.4 terawatts/hr but only delivered 43.7 Meant 58.5% of electricity supply wasted Most lost during distribution due to old/damaged equipment theft poor maintenance Demand for power expected to continue to grow more than supply
Mar 24 KRG arrested journalist who posted on Facebook govt using COVID as excuse not to
pay govt workers Held for 2 wks Released and then re-arrested 2 days later for defaming an official
Mar 25 Kataib Hezbollah told its fighters to prepare for more attacks upon US targets in Iraq
(Musings On Iraq Instrument Of Iran’s Power In Iraq And Syria Kataib Hezbollah)
Mar 26 Pro-Iran Hashd group fired rockets at Green Zone in Baghdad
Mar 26 Report Hashd said it sanitized 2,000 sites for COVID Set up hospitals in Dhi Qar
Babil Karbala Salahaddin Trying to use virus to show working for public
Mar 28 Report US officials getting daily warnings of attacks by pro-Iran Hashd No decision
on how to respond US asked PM Abdul Mahdi to arrest perpetrators Kataib Hezbollah behind rocket attacks Trump admin did not want to escalate situation US increased defensive equipment at bases
Mar 28 Report Abdul Mahdi govt struggling to pay salaries with low oil prices Needed $3.5
bil/mo to pay govt workers Only earned $2 bil/mo from oil sales $1 bil of which went to paying oil companies
(Musings On Iraq Iraq Faces The Abyss With Coronavirus And Oil Collapse)
Mar 29 Report When COVID hit Iraq Health Min asked for $5 mil in emergency funds Abdul
Mahdi govt didn’t have money Curfew closed down many businesses and left non-govt workers unemployed Govt running $2 bil/mo deficit
(Musings On Iraq Iraq Faces The Abyss With Coronavirus And Oil Collapse)
Mar 31 New Iranian Rev Guards Quds Force cmdr Gen Qaani visited Iraq Met with Amiri
Hakim Maliki and Sadr Said Iran wouldn’t interfere in Iraqi politics then said Iran opposed Zurfi becoming PM Zurfi supported protests and criticized pro-Iran Hashd
Mar 31 Report Pro-Iran Hashd controlled Qaim border crossing Used to send foreign fighters
into Syria to support Assad Kataib Hezbollah main force in Qaim along with smaller Hashd groups Kataib Hezbollah took 1,600 farms Hashd controlled black market including smuggling fuel to Syria
(Musings On Iraq Expansion of the Hashd al-Shaabi’s influence In Iraq, Interview With Clingendael’s Erwin van Veen)
Apr 2 Iraq suspended Reuters’ license to operate in Iraq for 3 months and fined $21,000 for
article saying more COVID cases then govt reported Suspension was lifted in 3 wks
Apr 2 Kataib Hezbollah said there would be no more attacks on US as long as it continued to
withdraw from Iraq Attacks continued
(Musings On Iraq Instrument Of Iran’s Power In Iraq And Syria Kataib Hezbollah)
Apr 4 Badr claimed that US anti-missile defense emplaced to counter pro-Iran group rocket
attacks might be used to shoot at Iraqi planes
Apr 4 Report 8 pro-Iran Hashd said US not withdrawing just consolidating in Iraq Said
Kataib Hezbollah not only faction that opposes US Claimed they worked for the clergy the Iraqi people and protesters
Apr 4 Continued clashes between protesters and police in Nasiriya Threw gas bombs at
police Police shot at protesters 3 killed 22 wounded Curfew afterward March was called for aid to poor during COVID
(Musings On Iraq UN Report On Violence Against Iraqi Protesters)
(Musings On Iraq United Nations Faults Iraq For Failing To Protect Protesters)
Apr 5 Report Nov 2018 US sanctioned Mohammed Abd al-Hadi Farhat of Lebanon Accused
of advising Hashd for Hezbollah Worked with Iranian Rev Guards Involved in money laundering for Iran in Iraq
Apr 5 Female activist assassinated insider her house in Dhi Qar Came after 2 days of clashes
between protests and ISF that killed 3 protesters
(Musings On Iraq UN Report On Violence Against Iraqi Protesters)
(Musings On Iraq United Nations Faults Iraq For Failing To Protect Protesters)
Apr 6 Pro-Iran groups fired rockets at oil camp in Basra
Apr 6 Report Saudi-Russian price war led oil prices to drop to $20/barl Iraq could only pay
half its govt workers as a result Employees went from 1.2 mil in 2003 to 4 mil in 2020
Apr 6 Report New Quds Force Cmdr Gen Qaani came to Iraq to push Shiite parties to reject
PM candidate Adnan al-Zurfi and pick another Failed Ayatollah Sistani and Sadr refused to meet him 8 pro-Iran Hashd including Asaib Ahl Al-Haq and AL-Haq Hezbollah al-Nujaba issued statement rejecting Zurfi as a CIA candidate
(Musings On Iraq Asaib Ahl Al-Haq From A Breakaway Sadr Militia To Defenders Of Iraq)
(Musings On Iraq Iraq’s Sheikh Akram Al-Kaabi and Hezbollah al-Nujaba)
Apr 7 Report Iraq had no plan to deal with financial crisis Earned $2.989 bil in Mar from oil
Needed $9 bil/mo Needed $4 bil/mo for govt salaries/pensions Can cut spending or borrow money Will start with borrowing from Central Bank of Iraq’s foreign reserves Asked for $2 bil from World Bank Basra Oil Company asked oil companies to cut budgets by 30% as long as didn’t reduce production Asked to delay paying them for 6 months
(Musings On Iraq Iraq Asks World Bank For Help During Financial Crisis)
Apr 7 Shiite parties met at Badr Amiri’s house Picked intelligence chief Mustafa al-Kazemi
to be next PM candidate
Apr 8 Sayid al-Shuhada Brigade attacked message center in Baghdad after owner Tweeted
about brigade commander
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