Iraq Sees Surge In Voting Across Most Of The Country (REVISED)

 

Iraq’s Election Commission released partial early results for voter turnout in the provinces. It showed a surge of voting across the country compared to the last parliamentary elections in 2021.

US Army In The Iraq War Volume 2 Ch 5 “The Surge Of Operations”

Chapter 5 of the second volume of the U.S. army’s history of the Iraq War focuses upon the summer of 2007. The Americans expanded their operations from Baghdad into neighboring Diyala while there were still differences over the new strategy. Part of that effort to turn tribes and insurgents against the Islamic State of Iraq ran into continued opposition from Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki. On the other hand, Iranian backed militias were fighting each other for control of southern Iraq.

New Provincial Govts In Iraq After Dec Election

 

Most of the new provincial governments in Iraq were decided in February. The Coordination Framework took most of the governors as expected because their main rival Muqtada al-Sadr boycotted. The list did not have its way however.

Final Results For Iraq’s Provincial Elections

(Wikipedia)

The final results of Iraq’s provincial elections have been announced. The ruling Coordination Framework won the most seats and wants to control the south. That will put it into conflict with several governors that won the most votes in their governorates. On the other hand the Kurds misplayed their hand running separately because the Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP) wanted to dominate the community.

Coordination Framework May Not Get Full Control Of Iraq’s Southern Provinces As It Hoped

The Coordination Framework that already controls the central government was the largest winner in December’s provincial vote. That was to be expected as its main rival Moqtada al-Sadr called a boycott. It turns out the list may not run the south as it expected.

Coordination Framework Looks To Take Control Of Most Of Iraq’s Provinces

As expected the ruling Coordination Framework was the biggest winner in Iraq’s 2023 provincial elections. Even though it ran as three separate lists, Nuri al-Maliki’s State of Law, Hadi Amiri’s Nabni, and Haidar al-Abadi and Ammar Hakim’s National State Forces Alliance, they won the most seats up for grabs on governorate councils. They will now re-unite and attempt to control most of Iraq’s provinces solidifying their hold on the Iraqi state.

3 Year Anniversary of Iraq’s Protests Shows Dwindling Movement

Demonstration in Maysan to mark 3 yr anniversary of protest movement (Al Mirbad)

October 25 marked the three-year anniversary of Iraq’s protest movement. People came out in 10 provinces but not in the large numbers seen in previous times.

Review All Roads Lead To Baghdad: Army Special Operations Forces in Iraq

 Briscoe, Charles, Finlayson, Kenneth, Jones, Robert, Jr., Walley, Cherilyn, Aaron, A. Dwayne, Mullins, Michael, Schroder, James, All Roads Lead To Baghdad: Army Special Operations Forces in Iraq, Fort Bragg: USASOC History Office, 2007

 

All Roads Lead To Baghdad: Army Special Operations Forces in Iraq is a military history meant to explain the different kinds of special units the U.S. deployed in the 2003 invasion of Iraq and the variety of missions they had. It starts off with some of the causes of the Iraq War which gets many things completely wrong which were known when the book was written. Being a military book it doesn’t really deal with any politics besides what the Bush administration said. Also because it was published by the U.S. military it praises its work in Iraq. The story of specific operations are the best part of All Roads Lead To Baghdad. On the other hand, there are many sections on support of units which are not that interesting. Overall that makes the book really up and down.

Marches Commemorate Anniversary Of Iraq’s Protest Movement

(Al Mirbad)

October 25 saw marches in four provinces to mark the two-year anniversary of the protest movement in Iraq. In Wasit and Maysan people demanded that the killers of activists be brought to justice. In Basra demonstrators called for the murderers of two journalists be found and prosecuted. Finally, in Dhi Qar there was a commemoration ceremony.

U.S. Army History Of Iraq War Vol 1 – Chapter 14 Fighting To The Elections, August-December 2004

The 14^th chapter of the U.S. Army history of the Iraq War covers the end of 2004. At that time the U.S. military was focused upon securing major cities including Fallujah to allow the January 2005 elections to take place. On the other hand, Abu Musab Al-Zarqawi was becoming the face of the insurgency while the first splits in the resistance were beginning to emerge.

New Wave of Protests In Iraq Over Executions Of Activists

(Al Mirbad)

On May 25 thousands of Iraqis came out across eight provinces to protest the continued murder of activists. This was sparked by the assassination of Ihab Jawad al-Wazni a leader of the Karbala demonstrations on May 8. In Baghdad the riot police broke up the gathering and killed two.

Swan Song Of Iraq’s Protest Movement?

(Al Hurra)

After people marked the October 25 anniversary of the protest movement in Baghdad’s Tahrir Square there were clashes with the security forces and some of the sit-in tents were burned. Activists later accused infiltrators and political parties of these acts. They ended up leaving the square which had been occupied for over a year although in fewer numbers in recent months. The Basra governor then closed down the sit-in camp in Basra city leading to confrontations. The authorities and pro-Iran groups appear to be winning this battle as there have been few demonstrations in recent days.

Anniversary Of Iraq’s Protest Movement Highlights Divisions

                                                                (Al Hurra)

 

October 25 marked another anniversary for the protest movement when major demonstrations and clashes broke out across Baghdad and the south. To commemorate the event there were marches but also signs of the weakness of the movement that once hoped to transform the country’s political system. 

Islamic State And Pro-Iran Groups Both Pick Up Attacks In Iraq In September

For the third month in a row security incidents have increased in Iraq. This was due to growing signs of a fall offensive by the Islamic State and pro-Iran groups increasing pressure upon the Kazemi government.

Security In Iraq Sep 15-21, 2020

Violence in Iraq stayed at about the same level between the second and third weeks of September. Attacks have gone up in September overall in a possible fall offensive by the insurgents. Pro-Iran groups have also picked up their operations. September looks like it will have the most incidents by those groups in 2020.

Ebb And Flow Of Protests In Iraq

                                                                                    (Al Mirbad)
July marked the return of the annual protests in Iraq demanding services, jobs, pay and better governance. Unlike previous years when Baghdad and Basra were the centers of activity, this time Dhi Qar has seen the most consistent mobilization of people across several different cities in the province. After it seemed like the demonstrations were going to spread at the end of July they suddenly subsided. Then pro-Iran groups kicked into action going after activists. Together that meant by August there have been fewer governorates involved.

Returns of Displaced In Iraq Continue To Decline Despite Govt Efforts

The rate of return for Iraq’s displaced (IDPs) has taken another major drop in the spring of 2020. The International Organization for Migration (IOM) the pre-eminent group working with IDPs blamed the COVID-19 lockdown which has limited movement in the country. Even before that however fewer and fewer people were attempting to go home because of the lack of reconstruction, security, reconciliation, and jobs. In fact, some new displacement in small numbers continues as well because of those issues.

National Protests Start In Iraq During The Weekend UPDATED

Burning tires to block highway in Muthanna (Al Mirbad)

Protests which began on a consistent basis the second week of July escalated over the weekend. On Saturday July 25 there were gatherings in six southern provinces tied for the most this summer. The next day people came out in seven governates including Baghdad where the Iraqi Security Forces (ISF) fired at demonstrators killing two despite a promise by the prime minister to protect them from such violence.

Sunday June 7 Was A Day Of Protest In Iraq

Najaf guesthouse set on fire by protesters (Al Mirbad)

Summer has started in Iraq. Temperatures are rising. The coronavirus is spreading and shutting down large sectors of the country’s non-oil economy. Electricity shortages are starting. Most importantly, the demands of the protesters have never been met. That led to five demonstrations in the south on Sunday.

Protests Return To Iraq Can New Govt Respond To Their Demands?

May 10 protest in Baghdad (AFP)

Just a few days after new Prime Minister Mustafa al-Kazemi had his government approved by parliament young people returned to the streets of Iraq demanding better governance. This is putting added pressure upon the premier to carry out reforms.