Baghdad joins southern anti-government protests

Rudaw

11:33 pm


Maliki blames ‘incompetent’ people for weakening Iraqi state 

"In order to realize the hopes and legitimate aspirations of people and achieve desired change, we have to work on diagnosing the causes of failure and corruption in state institutions,” Iraqi Vice President Nouri al-Maliki tweeted on Friday evening. 

Prior to assuming vice presidency role, Maliki led the government for eight years, serving as prime minister from 2006 to 2014.

"The main reasons for the weakness of the state and its institutions are allowing incompetent personalities to occupy important executive positions,” he tweeted. 

He called on Iraq’s youth to present “legitimate demands,” but warned against being “exploited politically by some domestic and foreign parties."

 

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8:09 pm


Video: Protesters in Baghdad's Tahrir Square flee tear gas and water cannons

 

 

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7:55 pm


One person ‘shot dead’ in Diwaniya

One protester has been killed in al-Diwaniya, al-Qadisiyah province, AFP reported. 

“A civilian around 20 years old was shot dead,” a medical source told AFP. 

Protesters had gathered outside the headquarters of an armed group in the city. 

At least eight other deaths have been reported in over a week and a half of protests. 

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7:46 pm


Police use water cannons, tear gas on protesters

Security forces are using water cannons and tear gas to break up the protests in Baghdad’s Tahrir Square. 

 

A number of people have had problems breathing.

 

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6:10 pm


Baghdad protesters denounce ‘thieves’ in government

Protesters in Baghdad’s Tahrir Square have denounced the “thieves” ruling the country. 

"We demand our rights from these thieves. We do not have health or education. What is left? We have ignorance and illiteracy. We want a hunger revolution with the help of the youth. We want to get rid of them,” a woman protester told Rudaw.

Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi has formed a crisis cell to respond to the protesters’ demands, but his efforts have not quelled the peoples’ rage. 

The protesters say they are fed up with all the political parties.

“We ask for freedom of the Iraqi nation from the political parties. Religious clerics can run the Iraqi government. Abadi has broken the heart of the people. The protesters ask for their rights,” said one.

“Our government works for Iran. Everything came from Iran, even food. We don't support [Muqtada al] Sadr. We are here for our rights,” said another.

Demonstrations are also taking place in Najaf, Dhi Qar, and Basra where protesters have gathered in front of the provincial council building. 

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3:43 pm

Baghdad to join southern anti-government protests

Protest organizers told Rudaw they are demanding better public services and changes to the outgoing government.

"Our demands are people’s demands,” one protester told Rudaw. “We want drastic solutions. We want to change the government. It has been 15 years, and there is no employment, no services."

Iraq’s demonstrations were sparked in the southern city of Basra two weeks ago and they have since spread across the country including the capital Baghdad.

Many demand water and electricity supplies as well as employment opportunities.

"I have three children,” one protester lamented. “My rent is 400,000 [IQD]. There are no jobs. Three fourths of the Iraqi people are unemployed. They have imported the Bengali, the Syrian, working. What is my crime? Am I to steal, to kill? We are out demanding our rights. Enough! We are tired."

Security forces have clashed with protesters and there are reports of arrests, torture and death of civilians.

"We hope they [security forces] will help the oppressed people,” a protester said. “This people aren’t aliens. They are from this country. Aren't all soldiers our brothers?"

An elderly man complained that the government is crackdown too harshly on the people demanding their rights.

"The worst government currently is this government, which rules with an iron fist. But maybe it is an aluminum fist, not iron. There are only promises. We have lived through tragedies with this government, and the upcoming one is worse. It is a government of gangs," he said.

A member of the Shiite Hashd al-Shaabi said that he joined the protests to ask for his monthly salary back.

"I have been injured three times,” he said. “It has been 7 months since they cut my salary. Is this how they reward those who defend the country?"

Baghdad itself has so far escaped the recent protests except for today and last week’s gathering of solidarity at Tahrir Square.

A massive protest is also planned for Sunday in Muthana province. 

"Today, Friday, there won't be protests in Muthana province as preparations are being made for a massive protest to be held on Sunday against the statements of the governor, who doesn't support the legitimate demands of the protestors," Salih Issawi, the head of Muthana's Bar Association, told Rudaw.   

Issawi said they have been protesting peacefully for more than a year, but local officials haven't responded to their demands. As a result, the protests are growing. 

"The people don't trust the government anymore as it committed fraud in the elections, banned food ration forms, and responded to protesters with guns," he said.

Muthana's governor, Falih al-Ziyadi, said protests have caused 50 billion dinars ($42 million) worth of damage.

Qais al-Khazali, leader of the Asaib Ahl al-Haq militias tweeted on Friday that people’s patience was running out.

"When the sons of our people went out to protests they are sending the message that they are about to reach an impasse and that they can't remain silent anymore,” he wrote. “For 15 years up to now of oil resources in Iraq none has reached the sons of our people."

Powerful cleric Muqtada al-Sadr has for his part called on all parties to halt talks on forming a new government until people’s demands have been met.