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*25 October: Protesters in [[Karbala]] chanted against Iran, tearing up [[Ali Khamenei]]'s pictures. They also attacked the Governorate Council building.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.imlebanon.org/2019/10/25/karbala-protests-against-iran0/|title=في كربلاء… هتافات ضد إيران وتمزيق صورة خامنئي|date=October 25, 2019|website=IMLebanon}}</ref> They also burnt the Iranian consulate.<ref name="Ec" >{{Cite web|url=https://www.economist.com/middle-east-and-africa/2019/10/30/protests-in-iraq-are-met-with-violence|title=Protests in Iraq are met with violence|date=October 30, 2019|via=The Economist}}</ref>
*25 October: Protesters in [[Karbala]] chanted against Iran, tearing up [[Ali Khamenei]]'s pictures. They also attacked the Governorate Council building.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.imlebanon.org/2019/10/25/karbala-protests-against-iran0/|title=في كربلاء… هتافات ضد إيران وتمزيق صورة خامنئي|date=October 25, 2019|website=IMLebanon}}</ref> They also burnt the Iranian consulate.<ref name="Ec" >{{Cite web|url=https://www.economist.com/middle-east-and-africa/2019/10/30/protests-in-iraq-are-met-with-violence|title=Protests in Iraq are met with violence|date=October 30, 2019|via=The Economist}}</ref>
*28 October: 14-30 people were killed in protests. Government officials denied any deaths occurred.<ref name="Ec" />
*28 October: 14-30 people were killed in protests. Government officials denied any deaths occurred.<ref name="Ec" />
*3 November: Protestors storm the [[Iran|Iranian]] consulate in [[Karbala]], where they set fires around the building and replaced the [[Flag of Iran|Iranian flag]] with an [[Flag of Iraq|Iraqi one]].<ref name="karba2n" >{{Cite web|url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2019/11/iraqi-protesters-attack-iran-consulate-karbala-191103232545555.html|title=Three kiled as Iraq protesters attack Iran consulate in Karbala {{!}} Iraq News {{!}} Al Jazeera|date=November 3, 2019|via=Al-Jazeera}}</ref>
*3 November: Protestors stormed the [[Iran|Iranian]] consulate in [[Karbala]], where they set fires around the building and replaced the [[Flag of Iran|Iranian flag]] with an [[Flag of Iraq|Iraqi one]].<ref name="karba2n" >{{Cite web|url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2019/11/iraqi-protesters-attack-iran-consulate-karbala-191103232545555.html|title=Three kiled as Iraq protesters attack Iran consulate in Karbala {{!}} Iraq News {{!}} Al Jazeera|date=November 3, 2019|via=Al-Jazeera}}</ref>


===Kut===
===Kut===

Revision as of 17:25, 4 November 2019

2019 Iraqi protests
Part of the 2018–19 Arab protests
File:Iraqi protests in October 2019 (Liberation square).jpg
Liberation Square, Baghdad on 25 October 2019
Date1 October 2019 (2019-10-01) – present
(4 years, 10 months, 2 weeks and 5 days)
Location
Iraq
Caused by
MethodsDemonstrations, sit-ins, riots, civil disobedience, online activism
StatusOngoing
Parties
Protestors
Lead figures
Casualties
Death(s)+260
Injuries+12,000
Casualties are correct as of 2 November 2019 (per IHCHR)[5]

The 2019 Iraqi protests, also nicknamed the Tishreen Revolution, are an ongoing series of protests that consisted of demonstrations, marches, sit-ins and civil disobedience. They started on 1 October 2019, a date which was set by civil activists on social media, spreading over the central and southern provinces of Iraq, to protest 16 years of corruption, unemployment and inefficient public services, before they escalated into calls to overthrow the administration and stop the Iranian intervention in Iraq. The Iraqi government was accused of using bullets, snipers, hot water and tear gas against protesters.[6] The protests stopped on 8 October and resumed on 24 October. According to the BBC, they call for the end of the political system which has existed since the US-led invasion ousted Saddam Hussein.[7][8]

Background

See also: 2011 Iraqi protests, 2012–13 Iraqi protests, 2015–16 Iraqi protests, and 2018–19 Iraqi protests

In 2011, protests broke out in various provinces in Iraq with the demands of ending corruption and nepotism, employment, raising wages and improving public services such as electricity, transportation, health care, education and municipal services.[9][10][11] Despite the simplicity of these demands, the protestors were faced with suppression, police brutality and random arrests.[12] The demands in the six Sunni-dominant provinces escalated during the 2012–13 Iraqi protests after Nouri Al-Maliki's acts of persecution against Sunni political figures.[13][14] This led to the protests calling to overthrow the sectarian regime, redraft the constitution and march into Baghdad to occupy the Green Zone.[14] These protests were faced with more suppression, leading into clashes between security forces and local tribesmen who had alleged support from Ba'ath Party loyalists.[15][16] After reports of the Sunni factions, which were part of the Iraqi insurgency against the American occupation, unifying their powers and taking control over Al Anbar Governorate, the government launched the 2013 Anbar campaign.[17] By July 2014, these factions which merged with ISIL had occupied most of Al-Anbar, Ninawa, Salah ad-Din, Kirkuk and Diyala which started the Iraqi Civil War. Consequently, the legitimacy of the protests was destroyed after they were viewed as extreme terrorists.[18][19]

Fueled by the lack of progress of Haider al-Abadi's government and state corruption, leader of the Sadrist Movement, Muqtada al-Sadr, called for a sit-in within the Green Zone in Baghdad to force the government to find serious solutions for corruption.[20] On 30 April 2016, thousands of Al-Sadr's followers breached the barricades of the Green Zone and stormed into governmental buildings, including the Iraqi parliament,[21] chasing representatives out of the Green Zone before retreating the day after by the call of Al-Sadr.[22] Another demonstration broke out in Basra and nearby cities in July 2018 due to deteriorating public utilities, water contamination and lack of electricity and continued for a few months.[23][24] Protestors burned down a number of government buildings and parties' headquarters, blocked numerous main streets, tore and burned pictures of Khomeini and Khamenei and even occupied the Al-Najaf and Basra International Airport.[25][26] They were faced with suppression from security forces and Popular Mobilization Forces, including Kata'ib Hezbollah, Badr Organization and Asa'ib Ahl al-Haq, causing the death of at least 16 protestors.[27][28][26]

Prelude

While the start date of the October 2019 protests was set months before their start, the following events took place only days before the protests and are considered the events that triggered the people's rage, having a major impact on the protestors' demands and methods. They specifically demanded more merits recognition instead of current focus on ethnic and religious quotas of government appointments.[7]Remembering the rise of ISIS during the protests in 2012[29] these ones avoided sectarian rhetoric.[30] Although a recent poll showed only 6% more Iraqis viewed United States favorably than Iran, Americans did not seem to be the focus of the anger.[29]

Holders of higher degrees demonstrations

On 25 September 2019, a group of holders of higher degrees organized a protest in front of the Prime Minister's office in Baghdad, demanding their employment.[31] The protest was faced with major suppression from security forces as armoured vehicles separated the demonstrators using hot water and police forces conducted random arrests among them which led to cases of fainting and injuries among the demonstrators.[32] This incident was faced with country-wide anger because of the forceful methods that were used by the government towards intellectual demonstrators, along with the violence that was used against female protestors.[32][33] Reactions included the Ministry of Interior forming a committee to investigate the incident and demonstrators organizing solidarity protests in many provinces to condemn these methods.[32][34] The holders of higher degrees resumed their protests for three days after the incident, spreading over many southern provinces.[35][36]

Dismissal of Abdel-Wahab Al-Saedi

On 27 September 2019, Adil Abdul-Mahdi issued a decision to transfer the commander of the Iraqi Counter-Terrorism Force, Lieutenant General Abdel-Wahab Al-Saedi, from the ICTF to the Ministry of Defence, a decision that was viewed by many and by Al-Saedi himself as a demotion and an act of disrespect after being one of the major leaders of the liberation of Mosul from ISIL's occupation.[37] Al-Saedi stated that the decision is an insult to his military rank and that he would rather go to jail than execute this decision.[37][38] This decision caused political figures, including former prime minister Haider Al-Abadi and many representatives, to criticize Abdul-Mahdi and call for him to back down from his decisions.[39][40] After the decision was made, social media was flooded with Al-Saedi's photos and achievements, calling for Abdul-Mahdi to back down from this injustice and accusing Iran of ordering the Iraqi government to replace every "national hero" in the army with Iranian loyalists.[41][42] In response to this backlash, Abdul-Mahdi stated that he stands by his decision and that it's a normal routine decision with no political motivations.[43] Furthermore, after calls for the unveiling of a statue of Al-Saedi in Mosul that was made to immortalize the commander's efforts in the city's liberation, security forces surrounded the statue, prohibiting its unveiling, before it was finally removed by them.[44][45] On 30 September 2019, Al-Saedi announced that he executed Abdul-Mahdi's orders and joined the ministry of defence as "a loyal soldier to serve my country and my beloved people."[46]

Timeline

Baghdad

  • 1-2 October: protests erupted in Baghdad in Liberation Square over high unemployment, poor basic services, and state corruption this protests spread to southern provinces, The authorities had also imposed an internet blackout and shut down 75% of the country's internet access. Many protesters were killed and injured on the first day.[47]
  • 2 October: Protesters began demonstrating against the government and regime, they demanded the resignation of Adil Abdul-Mahdi and prepare for early elections.[48] The protesters also begun demonstrating against Iranian influence, and against leader of Quds Force Qasem Soleimani.[49] Iraqi prime minister declare curfew until further notice.[50]
  • 3 October: According to Amnesty International, 18 civilians and one police officer were killed and hundreds were injured after three days of protesting.[51]
  • 5 October: Unknown forces raid on many TV channels such as Al Arabiya, Dijlah TV, NRT and Al Rasheed TV for airing the protests. The forces destroyed these channels' properties.[52]
  • 7 October: dozens of protesters were killed and hundreds were injured in Sadr City.[53]
  • 24-25 October: Thousands of protesters began to congregate at Liberation Square in Baghdad, protesting against the government and against the Iranian influence. Nearly 50 protesters were killed and injured after attempting to enter the Green Zone.[54]

Dhi Qar

  • 4 October: Many headquarters of political parties were burned down in Nasiriyah.[55]

Maysan

  • 25 October: Protesting in Maysan Governorate began to turn into riots between Peace Companies led by Muqtada al-Sadr on one side and Asa'ib Ahl al-Haq and Badr Organization on another.[56]
  • 25 October: Asa'ib Ahl al-Haq member Wisam Alyawi and his brother, both PMU commanders for the Maysan Governorate, were lynched by angry protesters who dragged them out of an ambulance and beat them to death. Qais Khazali, chief of all Asa'ib Ahl al-Haq, announced that 9 PMU members had been killed in the recent protests, blamed Israel for their deaths, and stated he would take revenge "four times over."[57]

Al-Muthanna

  • 25 October: Iraqi protesters burned down and destroyed many offices of political parties in the city of Samawah.[58]

Najaf

Protesters in Najaf prevented Muqtadar al-Sadr from exiting his vehicle to address a rally.[59]

Karbala

  • 25 October: Protesters in Karbala chanted against Iran, tearing up Ali Khamenei's pictures. They also attacked the Governorate Council building.[60] They also burnt the Iranian consulate.[59]
  • 28 October: 14-30 people were killed in protests. Government officials denied any deaths occurred.[59]
  • 3 November: Protestors stormed the Iranian consulate in Karbala, where they set fires around the building and replaced the Iranian flag with an Iraqi one.[61]

Kut

In Kut, protesters burnt Qasim al-Araiji’s home. Araiji is a prominent ally of Hadi Al-Amiri.[59]

Al-Diwaniyah

  • 25 October: Protesters burned down the Governorate Council building. Administrative authorities declared a curfew in the province.[62]

Wasit

  • 25 October: Protesters attacked many of the political parties' offices and also attacked the house of former Minister of Interior, Qasim al-Araji, in Al Kūt city.[63]

Basra

  • 2 October: Two activists, Hussain Almadani and his wife, Sarah, were killed by unknown forces in their house in Basra.[64]
  • 25 October: The protesting turned into violent riots between protesters and security forces.[65]
  • 2 November: Protesters blocked Iraq's main port Umm Qasr. Oil exports from offshore platforms were not affected, but imports of staple food were. Iraq is heavily dependent on food import.[66]

Babil

Amarah

Amarah’s Asa'ib Ahl al-Haq local commander was lynched by protesters.[59]

See also

References

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  2. ^ Abdul-Ahad, Ghaith (29 October 2019). "Iraq's young protesters count cost of a month of violence". The Guardian.
  3. ^ a b "قنبلة غاز في الرأس.. فيديو صادم خلال قمع مظاهرات العراق". Al-Hurra (in Arabic). 25 October 2019.
  4. ^ Al-Janabi, Abdul-Qadir (20 October 2019). "من هو أبوزينب اللامي.. ولماذا يتهم بتصفية متظاهري العراق؟". Al-Arabiya (in Arabic).
  5. ^ "تظاهرات العراق بلغت 260 قتيلا و12 ألف جريح". Sputnik (in Arabic). 2 November 2019.
  6. ^ "Iraq: HRW denounces lethal force against protesters, urges probe". www.aljazeera.com.
  7. ^ a b "Iraq protests: What's behind the anger? - BBS News". BBC News. 7 October 2019. Retrieved 27 October 2019.
  8. ^ "'They are worse than Saddam': Iraqis take to streets to topple regime". The Guardian. 27 October 2019. Retrieved 28 October 2019.
  9. ^ Sly, Liz (12 February 2011). "Egyptian revolution sparks protest movement in democratic Iraq". The Washington Post.
  10. ^ "Protesters In Iraqi Cities Demand Better Social Services, Corruption Probes". Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty. 12 February 2011. Archived from the original on 22 February 2011.
  11. ^ "Iraqis anger spelled out in street protests". Al-Sumaria. 12 February 2011.
  12. ^ "فرض حظر التجول في كركوك". Al-Jazeera (in Arabic). 1 March 2011.
  13. ^ Rayburn, Joel (1 August 2014). Iraq After America: Strongmen, Sectarians, Resistance. Hoover Institution Press. p. 235. ISBN 978-0-8179-1694-7.
  14. ^ a b "Protests in Iraq continue amid new killings". Al-Jazeera. 22 February 2013.
  15. ^ Griffis, Margaret (23 April 2013). "At least 86 Iraqis Killed in Ongoing Violence Triggered by Protests". Antiwar.com.
  16. ^ "The JRTN Movement and Iraq's Next Insurgency". Combating Terrorism Center at West Point. Archived from the original on 26 August 2011. Retrieved 29 April 2013.
  17. ^ Sowell, Kirk H. (15 January 2014). "Maliki's Anbar Blunder". Foreign Policy. Archived from the original on 5 July 2014.
  18. ^ Spencer, Richard; Malouf, Carol (29 June 2014). "We will stand by Isis until Maliki steps down, says leader of Iraq's biggest tribe". The Telegraph.
  19. ^ Carter, Chelsea J.; Alkhshali, Hamdi; Capelouto, Susanna (23 June 2014). "Kerry assures Iraqis of U.S. support if they unite against militants".
  20. ^ "Iraqi cleric Muqtada al-Sadr calls for Baghdad sit-in". Al-Jazeera. 12 March 2016.
  21. ^ "Thousands of protesters break into Baghdad 'Green Zone'". Samaa. 30 April 2016.
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  24. ^ Mustafa, Mohamed (18 November 2018). "Prominent protest figure in Iraq's Basra assassinated". Iraqi News.
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  27. ^ Turak, Natasha (19 July 2018). "More turmoil in Iraq as deadly protests ravage oil-rich south". CNBC.
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  29. ^ a b "Iraq protests: How should the government and the US respond? - Atlantic Council". Atlantic Council. 3 October 2019. Retrieved 27 October 2019.
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  33. ^ "بعد أزمة حملة الشهادات العليا.. نقابة الأكاديميين تدعو الحكومة العراقية إلى الاستقالة". Rudaw (in Arabic). 26 September 2019.
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  35. ^ "احتجاجات حملة الشهادات العليا تمتد من بغداد إلى البصرة". Rudaw (in Arabic). 27 September 2019.
  36. ^ "حملة الشهادات العليا يتظاهرون اليوم في تحدٍ جديد". Al-Zaman (in Arabic). 28 September 2019.
  37. ^ a b "العراق.. نقل أبرز قادة التحرير من "داعش" من جهاز مكافحة الإرهاب". Russia Today (in Arabic). 27 September 2019.
  38. ^ "الساعدي: السجن أرحم من تنفيذ قرار نقلي الى امرة وزارة الدفاع". Baghdad Post (in Arabic). 27 September 2019.
  39. ^ "عالية نصيف: استغرب من إحالة الساعدي إلى أمرة وزارة الدفاع وإطلاق يد ضباط "فاسدين يتاجرون بالمخدرات"". Baghdad Post (in Arabic). 28 September 2019.
  40. ^ "العبادي ينتقد "إقصاء" الساعدي.. والعبيدي يتوقع "هلاهل داعشية"". Kurdistan 24 (in Arabic). 28 September 2019.
  41. ^ "غضب عارم في العراق بعد عزل قائد عسكري بارز". Al-Jazeera (in Arabic). 29 September 2019.
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  43. ^ "عبدالمهدي مؤكداً تمسكه بقرار إبعاد الساعدي: الضابط يؤمَر وينفِذ ولا يرتاد السفارات". Rudaw (in Arabic). 29 September 2019.
  44. ^ "العراق.. الأمن يمنع تدشين تمثال للساعدي". Al-Arabiya (in Arabic). 30 September 2019.
  45. ^ "صور .. قوة امنية تزيل تمثال عبد الوهاب الساعدي في الموصل". Shafaq News (in Arabic). 30 September 2019.
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  47. ^ "A new wave of Arab protesters say, 'It's the economy, stupid!'". CNN. 4 October 2019.
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  57. ^ IRAQI SHIITE MILITIA LEADER QAIS KHAZALI: ISRAEL AND AMERICA WILL PAY FOR THE KILLING OF PMU MEMBERS BY PROTESTERS. October 27, 2019.
  58. ^ [1]
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  62. ^ "الديوانية تعلن تعطيل الدوام الرسمي ليوم غداً الاحد واستمرار حظر التجوال". قناه السومرية العراقية.
  63. ^ "الان حرق بيت وزير الداخلية السابق قاسم الاعرجي في واسط وبيان بتأجيل الاحتجاجات الى ليلة راس السنة!".
  64. ^ "العراق جريمة بشعة تهز مدينة البصرة العراقية". RT Arabic.
  65. ^ "ناشطون يبثّون فيديو لـ"دهس متظاهرين" في البصرة". قناة الحرة.
  66. ^ "Iraqi protesters and security forces clash, keep Umm Qasr port closed - Reuters". Reuters. 2 November 2019.
  67. ^ "Iraqi PM Sends Counter-Terror Force To Put Down Street Protests". RadioFreeEurope/RadioLiberty.

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