2021 Baghdad clashes
| 2021 Baghdad clashes | |||
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| Part of the 2019–2021 Iraqi protests | |||
 Green Zone, Baghdad | |||
| Date | 5 November 2021 | ||
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The 2021 Baghdad clashes were a civil conflict following the 2021 Iraqi election between Iraqi protesters and security forces. The clashes left more than 125 injured and 2 dead. The protestors were supporters of Iran-backed militias and political parties.[1]
Background
The violence was fueled by the results of the 2021 Iraqi election which took place in October. Iraqis who were supporters of the Iran-backed PMF and Fatah Alliance called the results “a fraud”, as most Iran-backed parties, including Fatah Alliance, lost many seats.[2]
Clashes
It was the first major clash between in Iraq since the election. Protesters threw stones and tried storming into the Green Zone, an area in Baghdad which holds all government buildings and embassies. Protesters threw projectiles and blocked all access to the Green Zone, until police pushed them out. Police fired at the protesters and also used tear gas. Security forces were accused of burning tents set up by protesters.[3]
Aftermath
The clashes left 125 people injured and two people dead. 21 protesters were injured by smoke inhalation, and nine police officers were hurt from getting stones thrown at them.[4] Prime Minister Mustafa Al-Kadhimi ordered a full investigation into the events, while President Barham Salih called for restraint. Nouri Al-Maliki, former Prime Minister of Iraq, said on Twitter that “protesters were ‘claiming their legitimate rights’, but should not have fueled the violence and should’ve avoided provoking security forces in the first place”. Qais al-Khazali, leader of the Iran-backed Asaib Ahl al-Haq, condemned the violence and urged justice for the wounded demonstrators. In Khazali’s own words, “Whoever they were, they must be held accountable”, referring to the security forces.[5]
Two days later on the 7 November, an assassination attempt was made on Prime Minister Mustafa Al-Kadhimi via a drone strike. The PM survived the attack unharmed but resulted in six of his bodyguards being injured. The security forces reportedly opened fire on demonstrators, leading to at least one death. It is rumored that the assassination attempt was connected to these protests.[6][7]
See also
- 2012–2013 Iraqi protests
- 2015–2018 Iraqi protests
- 2019–2021 Iraqi protests
- Politics of Iraq
- Attack on the Al-Habboubi Square (2020)
- 2021 Erbil rocket attacks
- 2020 Kurdish protests in Sulaymaniyah Governorate
References
- ^ "Iraq ministry: Scores injured in rally over election results". WTOP News. 5 November 2021.
- ^ "Backers of Iran-linked militias try to storm Baghdad's Green Zone after election losses". Washington Post. ISSN 0190-8286. Retrieved 6 November 2021.
- ^ "2 protesters rejecting Iraqi election results killed in clash in central Baghdad". www.news.cn.
- ^ "Baghdad clashes hurt 30 as Iran-aligned parties dispute Iraq vote". The Jerusalem Post | JPost.com.
- ^ "More than 100 injured as police clash with pro-Iran groups in Baghdad". The National.
- ^ https://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-59195399
- ^ Davison, John; Rasheed, Ahmed (7 November 2021). "Iraqi PM safe after drone attack on residence, military says". Reuters. Reuters. Retrieved 7 November 2021.