Anti-government protests have persisted since the 2003 U.S. led invasion, but have grown to a significant amount since October 2019.
It all started on October 1st when people took to the streets of Baghdad to protest the high unemployment rates, widespread corruption, dire basic living standards, and foreign interference.
In response to these protests, Prime Minister Adil Abd Al-Mahdi resigned from office on November 29th.
The protesters called for the end of the political system which has existed since the U.S.-led invasion ousted Saddam Hussein, and failed to protect and represent the rights and needs of the Iraqi people. The protests are the largest incident of civil unrest since the fall of Saddam Hussein.
Even after the resignation of the Prime Minister, the protesters, who want a complete revamp of the political system, have continued their efforts.
What triggered the protests?
The demotion of the celebrated general, Lt. Gen. Abdul-Wahab al-Saadi, who is credited by many for fighting terrorism and defeating the ISIS, coupled with high levels of corruption and unemployment and the inability of the government to provide a basic standard of living, was met with unrest and calls for protests.
The protests have shaken the country out of two years of relative calm following the defeat of the ISIS insurgents. The infighting between political parties clinging to power has fueled the crisis and threatens to kindle more unrest.
The Iraqi security forces recently reopened a bridge in Baghdad and cleared out tents from a sit-in in the capital’s Tahrir Square near the Green zone, the epicentre of the protest movement that erupted a year ago to demand basic services, employment opportunities, and an end to corruption. It all started when people tried to cross a bridge to reach the Green Zone - the location of the main government offices - and security forces opened fire. The harsh response fuelled popular anger, leading to the protests to spread over the country.
Foreign interference and the US embassy
After the U.S. occupation, oligarchs and warlords were perceived to have taken control over Iraq. While the country produces more oil than the United Arab Emirates, the oil revenues were seen by protesters as failing to be spent on infrastructure, creating jobs and the general welfare of the people.
The protesters have accused Iran of interference in state affairs. Iran has had a growing influence within Iraq since the fall of Saddam Hussain. After Iran helped Iraq fight ISIS, there has been a growing influence and popularity of the Paramilitary Popular Mobilisation Forces which are dominated by Shia militias. Iran has close links to Shia politicians who are part of the ruling elite, and has backed the PMS.
The U.S. Embassy in Baghdad was attacked on December 31, 2019. The attack was organized and directed by Iran's proxy leaders, Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis, Qays al-Khazali, Hadi al Amari, and Faleh al-Fayyad. They are seen in the pictures taken on the scene.
The then U.S. President Donald Trump accused Iran for the attack on the embassy and in retaliation, the commander of Iran's Quds Force, Major General Qasem Soleimani, and Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis were assassinated in a U.S. drone strike while traveling in a convoy near Baghdad International Airport. On January 5, in reaction to these airstrikes, the Iraqi Parliament called for the expulsion of U.S. troops from the country, further escalating the tensions.[1]
What do the protesters want?
The young protesters represent a cross-section of society, and feel that they do not have leaders to present their demands.
The protesters' demands are very simple. They called for the government to create more jobs and opportunities, especially for the poorer sector of the society. Protesters blame the government for youth unemployment which stands at 25%, corruption, with Iraq ranked 12th most corrupt in the world, and religious favoritism.
A narrow elite within the Iraqi government have been able to keep a firm grip on power because of a quota system that allocates positions to political parties based on sectarian and ethnic identity, encouraging patronage and corruption.
It's clear now that the protesters want an overhaul of the post-2003 political system which has failed to protect living standards despite Iraq's enormous oil resources.
Casualties and human rights violations
Security forces met protests in Baghdad and cities in southern Iraq in October and November with excessive force, killing hundreds. According to a report by the Human Rights Watch, clashes with security forces left a minimum of 350 protesters dead in protests in Baghdad and Iraq’s southern cities from early October to December.[2]
In addition to live ammunition, security forces in Baghdad fired teargas cartridges, in some cases directly at protesters. Many security forces also lost their lives as violent protesters used rocks and Molotov cocktails.
Human rights activists say they have documented unlawful use of lethal force to disperse protesters, including with military-grade tear-gas grenades, live ammunition and sniper attacks.
London-based Amnesty International called on the Iraqi government to try to do more to deliver justice to the hundreds killed in the course of exercising their right to peaceful assembly.[3]
The Road Ahead
After the protests led to the resignation of Prime Minister Adil Abdul Mahdi, Mustafa al-Kadhimi replaced him in May. He pledged to investigate the deaths and incarceration of the protesters.
Kadhimi in July called for an early general election on June 6, 2021, roughly a year ahead of when it would normally be held, a central demand of the protesters. But Iraq’s Parliament must still ratify the election date and amend the election law.
The UN has made a series of recommendations, including investigations into killings of protesters, declarations of assets by politicians, corruption trials, electoral reform and constitutional changes.
Article by-
Aryan,
PES MUN Society
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