Night protest in Baghdad's Shula (Iraq Newspaper)
As Iraq reached its 11th day of protests there were events in six provinces. The real news of the day however was with the Abadi government, which promised new programs to meet the demands of the demonstrators, while starting a crackdown on activists.
People came out into the streets in Baghdad, Basra, Dhi Qar,
Karbala, Muthanna, and Najaf. In the capital, there was talk
of huge demonstrations, which did not materialize. At the start of the day
there were two gatherings in Tahrir
Square and Shula,
and then people went home. At night, when the temperature went down there was a
new march of around
300 in Shula. Police were given orders
to arrest all demonstrators, and forcibly broke up the protesters with 1
killed. In Basra, people came out to the Siba
gas field, the provincial council building in Basra
city, and the Um
Qasr port. Someone also blew
up an electricity tower serving the West Qurna oil field with an IED. There
were protests
in several
areas
of Dhi
Qar that included the main highway to Baghdad being shut down with burning
tires, one in Karbala
city, one in Muthanna,
and one in Najaf
where people tried to storm a Badr office. A protester that was shot yesterday also
died in Karbala bringing the total death count to 16 since the daily
demonstrations began.
The government began a two track carrot and stick approach.
Prime Minister Haidar Abadi said that people had
the right to protest and demand services. The cabinet announced
that electricity would be distributed more fairly to the provinces, and a
committee would be created to oversee the projects Abadi released money for
yesterday. The chairman
and his deputy
for the Najaf airport were going to be removed, and there was talk that the
Electricity Minister would be dismissed.
On the other hand, police in Baghdad,
Basra,
Maysan
and Muthanna
began going after activists organizing the demonstrations as well as regular
protesters. The premier also talked about criminals taking advantage of the
marches. This was fourth straight day he has mentioned infiltrators and
agitators setting the stage for the crackdown that began today. Every year
there are protests and the authorities promise they will do something about
their demands. The country is facing the usual power shortages with record high
temperatures. That situation is made worse by Iran cutting
off its electricity deliveries because of unpaid bills. The only way the
government has been able to send more power to the south was by cutting
it in other provinces. Likewise, every time there is a crisis a committee is
formed, which ends up doing nothing. It is simply for looks. Firing a few government
officials will appease no one either as it is a meaningless concession, and
does not change the structural problems the country is facing. Finally, Abadi
has been warning about the bad elements within the demonstrations for several
days now. The marches also reached the capital. Together that has led to the
beginning of a crackdown. The Iraqi forces are attempting to detain the
organizers to stop future protests, while rounding up the people on the street
to stop the immediate situations.
SOURCES
Al Alam, “Iraqi demonstrations extend to Shula due to the deterioration
of electricity,” 7/16/18
Baghdad Post, “Abadi to adopt measures to contain protests: source,”
7/16/18
- “Iraqi dies from injuries sustained at Karbala protests,” 7/16/18
- “Iraqi protesters try to storm HQ of Badr militia in Najaf,” 7/16/18
- “Large-scale arrest campaign launched against Maysan protesters,”
7/16/18
- “Protests start up in Iraq, security arrests organizers,” 7/16/18
- “Riot Police deployed in Baghdad to maintain security,” 7/16/18
- “Unknown gunmen target an electricity tower north Basra with an
improvised explosive device,” 7/16/18
Ebraheem, Mohammed, “Iraqi security: 65 protesters apprehended in
Muthanna rallies,” Iraqi News, 7/16/18
Al Ghad Press, “Baghdad Police Command: arresting anyone who incites to
demonstrate, and who burns tires and graffiti,” 7/16/18
- “Dozens of demonstrators protest in front of Dhi Qar provincial
council,” 7/16/18
- “Riot police: a demonstration broke out in Shula broken up with live
bullets and some of city’s entrances were closed,” 7/16/18
Iraq Newspaper, “The Americans Are Stopping Civil Aviation To Baghdad
And Shelling The 17h Brigade Headquarters in Mahmudiya,” 7/17/18
Al Maalomah, “Abadi: It is the right of the people to demand their
rights and improve services and call on the security forces to contribute to
construction,” 7/16/18
- “Deputy from Basra announces the end of popular demonstrations in the
province,” 7/16/18
- “Hashemi: The parties entered the demonstrations to escalate and
reduce opponents,” 7/16/18
- “Hassan Salim reveals the infiltration of demonstrations by Saudi
Arabia and the Baath party,” 7/16/18
Al Masalah, “Government action package: equitable distribution of
energy levels and the release of job grades,” 7/16/18
Al Mirbad, “After mass demonstrations, the center of Basra is
witnessing a calm situation,” 7/16/18
- “Coordination Committee of the demonstrations in Basra emphasize
peaceful protests and meet their demands,” 7/16/18
- “Demonstrators in Muthanna close the mayor’s building in the
Al-Khader district,” 7/16/18
- “The Dhi Qar council makes decisions regarding the demands of the
demonstrators,” 7/16/18
- “Two demonstrations in Dhi Qar to demand jobs and services,” 7/16/18
Mohammed, Aref, “Protesters at Iraq gas field demand jobs, better
services,” Reuters, 7/16/18
Nawzad, Kosar, “Iraq’s electricity deal with Iran fails as
protests rage on,” Kurdistan 24, 7/16/18
Al Noor News, “Demonstration In Tahrir Square In Central Baghdad,”
7/16/18
Rudaw, “Tribal head: Iraqi gov’t not serious in meeting protesters’
demands,” 7/16/18
Sotaliraq, “Government cut electricity share from Ninewa and sent it
towards “angry” provinces,” 7/15/18
- “Governor of Najaf agrees to dissolve board of directors at the
airport and denies the existence of a curfew,” 7/16/18
- “Protests continue in southern Iraq as tribes cut a main road leading
to Baghdad,” 7/16/18
Al Sumaria, “Dozens demonstrate and cut streets in the center of
Karbala,” 7/16/18
- “Riot police disperses a demonstration in Shula and others spread to
Amil,” 7/16/18
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