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.

Coordination Framework Takes Over Maysan Govt From Sadr

Maysan in the south was one of the major contested provinces after December’s election. That was because it had been run by Sadr’s followers for years and the Coordination Framework wanted to put that to an end. The list was finally successful.

Coordination Framework Loses In 3 New Provincial Govts In Iraq

The Coordination Framework which runs the central government was hoping to take over most of the provinces after the December local elections. They have faced three early defeats 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.

Increased Displacement In Iraq Due To Climate Change

(IOM)

The International Organization for Migration (IOM) just issued a new report about continued displacement in central and southern Iraq due to climate change. The situation has gotten worse with more families leaving the land and the government appears to be incapable of providing help.

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.

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.

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.

Sadrists Attack And Kill Protesters While Proclaiming They Are The Saviors Of Iraq

Protest tents burned by the Sadrists in Nasiriya (Al Mirbad)

On November 27 the Sadrist movement claimed it was a force for change and reform in Iraq while attacking a protest camp in Dhi Qar that left 5 demonstrators dead and many more wounded.

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.

Review Revolt On The Tigris, The Al-Sadr Uprising And The Governing Of Iraq

Etherington, Mark, Revolt On The Tigris, The Al-Sadr Uprising And The Governing Of Iraq, Ithaca, London: Cornell University Press, 2005

 

Revolt On The Tigris, The Al-Sadr Uprising And The Governing Of Iraq is the recollections of Mark Etherington, a British Foreign Service officer who was appointed the Coalition Provisional Authority’s (CPA) head of Wasit province. Etherington felt like the entire endeavor was doomed from the start. Neither the British government nor the CPA provided any real support that would make the effort successful. That didn’t mean Etherington didn’t try his hardest but the odds were stacked against him, which was what he conveyed in his book.

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. 

Iraqis Mark One Year Anniversary Of Protest Movement And Voice Frustration

(NINA)

Iraqis came out into the streets of several Iraqi cities on October 1 to commemorate the one year anniversary of the protest movement. Many voiced frustration at not having their demands being met by the government.

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.

While PM Kazemi Visits Pres Trump Pro-Iran Groups Target US And Kill Protesters To Embarrass Govt

                                                                     (ANHS)

Iraq’s Prime Minister Mustafa al-Kazemi recently paid a trip to the United States to meet with President Donald Trump. The two countries are in negotiations for a new security agreement. Iran objects to these talks and wants the U.S. to leave and therefore has ordered its proxies to pick up attacks upon American targets in Iraq. Those same groups are carrying out an intimidation campaign against protest activists in the country as well. Both of these are meant to humiliate the premier and show that he has no control over them. They are doing an effective job.

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.

Protests Return To Southern Iraq Over Electricity Shortages And Delayed Salaries

Protest in Dhi Qar (Al Nasiriya)

The beginning of July saw the return of protests to southern Iraq motivated by two main factors. One is increasing blackouts as demand for electricity rises during the summer heat and the power grid begins breaking down. The second is delayed payments to government workers due to the economic crisis.