Nov 3 Civil Disobedience Across Iraq

Protesters under the bridge heading to the Green Zone (Rudaw)

November 3 activists called for a general strike. In Baghdad, people shut off major roads and highways in nine neighborhoods. Two more people were killed in Tahrir Square by the security forces. The Human Rights Commission also asked the government to explain where activist Siba al-Mahdawi is. She was abducted on November 2 on her way home from Tahrir. Students did not go to class at two universities in Babil. Roads were also blocked in Zubayr, and the ones leading to Um Qasr port, Faiha and Majnoon oil fields. Government workers walked out in Nasiriya, and there were protests at the Kattia oil field, and the house of the secretary general of the cabinet was attacked once more in Dhi Qar. The Iranian consulate in Karbala was assaulted and the crowd tried to light it ablaze. The Al-Shaib border crossing with Iran was blocked, most students went on strike, and a road to an oil company was cut in Maysan. Two bridges were blocked in Muthanna, students and government workers walked off the job or out of school in Najaf, people filled the streets in Kut in Wasit, and there were work and school stoppages in Baquba, Khalis and Muqtadiya in Diyala. The government condemned the action, but it turned out to be wildly successful. While it didn’t turn into a real general strike, there were plenty of stoppages across the country. This was another sign that the demonstrations have reached a new level, which Baghdad cannot ignore.

If reports are to be believed Prime Minister Abdul Mahdi is no longer willing to step down. Al Aalem ran a story that the premier and Iranian Revolutionary Guards Quds Force commander General Qassim Suleimani met with Moqtada al-Sadr and talked him out of demanding Abdul Mahdi resign. The prime minister has also said that a replacement needs to be named before he will leave. A member of the Nasr list said that it and the rival Fatah can’t agree upon that, which means Abdul Mahdi is safe for now. In another sign of support, a Kurdistan Democratic Party lawmaker told the media that a majority of parliament stood behind the prime minister. Given this situation Abdul Mahdi is feeling more emboldened and called for the protests to end, and accused some of them of being outlaws for destroying property. A few days before President Barham Salah claimed that the prime minister was going to leave office. Now with the backing of Iran and the Kurds that doesn’t appear to be happening. That is the number one demand of the demonstrations, which puts the situation at an impasse. Any talk of reforms or elections has no meaning if the PM is going to be staying on.

SOURCES

Al Aalem, “Source: Sadr retracts the request to dismiss Abdul Mahdi after meeting in Najaf in the presence of Suleimani,” 11/3/19

Baghdad Post, “Protesters block a border crossing with Iran,” 11/3/19

- “Protesters block an oil field road south of the country,” 11/3/19

- “The start of civil disobedience in Muthanna,” 11/3/19

Bas News, “Iraqi PM Says Most of Protestors’ Demands Met,” 11/3/19

- “Parliamentary Majority Favors Adil Abdul Mahdi’s Continued Premiership: Kurdish MP,” 11/3/19

Al Ghad Press, “Diyala demonstrators declare civil disobedience in three cities,” 11/3/19

-, “In pictures .. Students of the Green University of Qasim in Babylon join the sit-in,” 11/3/19

- “In pictures .. University of Babylon students raise the largest banner on the bridge of the revolution in Hilla,” 11/3/19

- “Pictures .. Wasit demonstrators cut the streets of Kut in the first day of civil disobedience,” 11/3/19

Al Jazeera, “Iraq protests: Capital Baghdad blocked as unrest escalates,” 11/3/19

Al Mada, “Mutual accusations between Shiite forces on the resignation of Abdul Mahdi,” 11/3/19

Al Masalah, “News of the burning of the house of the Secretary-General of Ministers in Shatra,” 11/3/19

Al Mirbad, “Demonstrators carry out a voluntary clean-up campaign in the center of Qurna,” 11/3/19

- “Journalist from Maysan: broad public solidarity with civil disobedience and cutting roads leading to the headquarters of oil companies,” 11/3/19

- “Journalist from Maysan: Most students in schools and many colleges in solidarity with public protests,” 11/3/19

- “The protesters withdrew from the entrance of Majnoon oil field after setting a 10-day deadline to fulfill the demands,” 11/3/19

Nas News, “Developments of the demonstration at the Iranian consulate in Karbala: gas and bullets to disperse the protesters,” 11/3/19

Nasiriya TV, “Protesters prevent workers from reaching the Kattia oil field,” 11/3/19

- “Witnesses: Nasiriya demonstrators announced civil disobedience and sit on the main bridges,” 11/3/19

- “Work stopped in water, sewage and municipalities in Dhi Qar,” 11/3/19

NINA, “Abdul-Mahdi Describes Who Carries Out Banditry And Burning .. Outlaws,” 11/3/19

- “Regional demonstrations begin in most Rusafa areas and most streets are cut off,” 11/3/19

- “Student demonstrations takes place in al-Falaha square in the center of Baquba and the intersection of Al-Quds, northwest of the city,” 11/3/19

NRT, “Two Protesters Killed, At Least 28 Wounded In Protests In Baghdad On Sunday,” 11/3/19

Shafaaq News, “Protesters blockade the Iranian consulate in Karbala and set fire to its wall,” 11/3/19

Al Sumaria, “Demonstrators block the Iranian consulate in Karbala and put the Iraqi flag on its wall,” 11/3/19

- “Demonstrations under the mechanics bridge in Dora, Baghdad amid security deployment,” 11/3/19

- “The entry of a large riot force into Shatrah,” 11/3/19

- “Najaf employees announce civil disobedience and join demonstrators,” 11/3/19