Image Retrieved from: https://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-50181212
Stephanie Haider, Class of 2020
Iraqi Protests: Long Term Accumulation of Suffering Fosters Fervent Action
April 9, 2003--On this day, the monstrous dictator Saddam Hussein’s tyranny ended when U.S. troops captured Iraq’s capital, Baghdad. Citizens flooded the streets of Baghdad, clapping and cheering alongside U.S. marines ready to take down their dictator’s iron statue located in Firdos Square. Iraqis breathe a sigh of relief, thinking they will no longer live in fear and that a righteous, stable government will be set in place by the United States with the help of other countries. Fast forward to Iraq today, people are now flooding the streets not with pride, but years of accumulated anger from government injustice.
Fall of Saddam Hussein's Statue
Here are some key questions regarding the protests, answered.
When and what ignited the protests to begin?
The protests began on October 1, 2019 in Baghdad’s Tahrir Square. According to Jen Kirby of Vox, two events could have ignited the protests. In September, PhD and master students were peacefully protesting for weeks about lack of job opportunities and high unemployment rates. In late September, the government responded by using water cannons to stop the protests. This brought attention to the government’s unethical response, and their lack of help to bring about change. During this time, a popular military leader, Staff Lieutenant General Abdulwahab al-Saadi, was demoted without any justification. He was considered a hero among the Iraqis because he was a key leader in helping retake Mosul from ISIS. Many Iraqis think he was demoted to appease Iran, since he was closely involved with the U.S. and Saudi Arabia while trying to bring down ISIS.
Footage of water cannons being used against protesters
What are protesters demanding from the government?
The early protests in October began with demands for more jobs, access to basic resources like electricity and water, along with better public services such as healthcare, and better infrastructure (Kirby). Then, protesters started to demand for all government officials to resign, and to create a corrupt-free government. They want new electoral laws, and elections to take place. Protesters want these new elections to be a place where their vote matters, and there is no Irani influence on the outcomes of the elections. Two key components contribute to the long history of corruption in Iraq: Iraqi officials stealing money from the government, and Iran’s dominant influence on all aspects of government.
The new government everybody looked up to in 2003 gathered government officials that put their self-interest before the people, stealing millions of dollars. In 2011 the Special Inspector for Iraq Reconstruction, Stuart W. Bowen Jr., was tracking the $2.8 billion fund sent by U.S. to help with Iraq’s reconstruction activity. Bowen provided three examples of mishandling of money, one of which $1.6 billion out of $2.4 billion was transferred to a central bank in Kurdistan, and only $766.4 million was placed in the Baghdad account. Bowen believes it was not a good idea for the U.S. to send millions of dollars to Iraq. After being asked how much money was stolen in Iraq by reporter Eamon Javers, he states, “...What I’ve learned is that hundreds of millions if not billions of dollars of development fund for Iraq money was stolen by senior Iraqi officials for their own personal gain.” This investigation was conducted 8 years ago, and the corruption has only increased by government officials since that time. Imran Khan of Aljazeera reported in May 2018, “The parliamentary transparency commission in Iraq says $320 billion has gone missing in the past 15 years, because of government corruption.” According to a business owner interviewed by Khan, a simple example of corruption is the contracts Iraq makes with multiple Arab countries for imported goods and groceries. The government does not support national products or farmers, so it can make money from those contracts. Corruption has been rooted in the government since 2003, and Iraqis are tired of being robbed of opportunity, and a better quality of life.
Another component to corruption is Iran’s dominant influence on all components of government: military, politics, economy, and culture. Tim Arango of the New York Times explains the many different ways Iran has entrenched itself in its neighbor Iraq. Iran exports many of its products to Iraq, ranging from food to illicit drugs, which gives them a steady flow of income. The Irani government also sends Shiite militias to gain allies in Iraq’s parliament and promote the message that since United States failed to do its job, they are the only reliable ally for Iraq. A critical point of Iran’s direct involvement came when Iraq was fighting ISIS. Their military leaders were able to support Iraq by sending military weapons and supplies, along with Shiite militias to assist in the fight. Iran even created a political party, the Badr Organization, in Iraq during the Iran-Iraq war to fight against Saddam Hussein--an Iraqi militia loyal to Iran. Due to the abrupt absence of U.S. troops in Iraq in 2011, this is when Iran took advantage and made Iraq a source of steady profit and expand its political power. That’s why protesters are starting to resist Irani influence by boycotting their products, setting fires to Irani buildings such as the consulate in Najaf, and striking images of Iran’s leader Ayatollah Ali Khameni (Ibrahim).
What is the response from the Iraqi Government?
In the beginning, the government enforced a curfew and cut off the Internet to prevent protesters from communicating with each other. They also ordered security forces to resist and contain protests with brutal tactics, this includes using water cannons, live ammunition, rubber bullets and tear gas (Aljazeera). About 400 people have been killed since the beginning of the protests (BBC News). The Iraqi government determined in October that excessive force was used by security forces, and prime minister Abdul Mahdi said those officers ordering unethical acts would be held accountable for their actions (Aljazeera). It is not clear whether they have effectively limited excessive force. For example, engineering graduate and activist Safaa al Saray was killed by getting shot in the head with a tear gas canister. BBC further explains, “The canister entered the protestor’s skull above the eye and lodged his brain.” It is not clear who is behind these type of killings, but protestors claim the tear gas canisters are of military grade. There have also been a few kidnappings and threats made to many to stop engaging in protests by security forces (Magid). Magid provides the case of an attempted kidnapping of a doctor by a group of masked men, but he managed to escape. The increasing fears of threats and kidnapping are causing paranoia among protesters. It is clear that the protesters have suffered from excessive physical and psychological violence.
There have also been promises made by some government officials. Since last month, Iraq’s president, Barham Salih, has listened to protester’s demands and ordered parliament to draft a new election law. Salih says early elections would take place once enacted (Krauss et al.). After bloodiest day of protests occurred yesterday, the prime minister, Adel Abdul Mahi, says he will submit his resignation--one of the primary demands of the protesters (BBC News). This will allow a new government to be chosen. There are some major steps taken forward, but it is at the cost of increasingly violent protests.
What is the response from the international community?
The response has been slow. The United States supported the United Nations’ plea to the Iraqi government to stop the violent protests. The UN Assistance Mission for Iraq also created a series of measures for Iraqi government officials to follow to end the violent protests,which can be found here. Vice president Pence also called the Iraqi prime minister a few days before his resignation while visiting the Iraqi Kurdistan President, Nechirvan Barzani. According to Zeke Miller of TIME, “U.S. Ambassador to Iraq Matthew Tueller said Pence expressed support for a free, sovereign and independent Iraq — a subtle warning against Iranian influence in the country, which has weakened cooperation between the U.S. and Iraq.” These protests are a critical time for all three countries: the stance of U.S.- Iraq relations, Iran may be losing a large source of its profit and power, and Iraq may finally end the decades of corruption with new government officials.
Is it time for the Iraqi government to obey the demands of its people?
Yes. Iraqis have lived in constant warfare for decades. Under Saddam Hussein’s rule, Iraq was in three large wars with devastating losses: Iran-Iraq War, Persian Gulf War, and U.S.-Iraq War. After the U.S. officially declared war with Iraq over in 2011, ISIS began its invasion in Mosul three years later, and are still trying to prevent their expansion today. Their daily lives throughout war have consisted of fear, paranoia, prolonged violence, watching loved ones die, and living in poor conditions. Electricity outage occurs multiple times a day, which is especially difficult during the summers, and clean water is hard to find. Many young graduates cannot get a job in the fields they studies, unless they know someone that can get them a jobs: bias and discrimination run rampant. Kidnappings and threats can be done by multiple parties. Bomb explosions can also occur anywhere: bombs can be placed under your car, or attached to devout Muslims ready to commit suicide. Death seems inevitable, in addition to the poor living conditions and limited resources available. It is time for the Iraq government to address these issues that Iraqis have tolerated for so long. The protesters’ message is clear: they will not rest until their demands are rightfully heard.
Works Cited
Abdul-Zahra, Qassim, and Joseph Krauss. “Iraq President Bows to Protesters and Calls for New Voting Law.” PBS. Public Broadcasting Service, October 31, 2019. https://www.pbs.org/newshour/world/iraq-president-bows-to-protesters-and-calls-for-new-voting-law.
Al Jazeera. “Excessive Force to Blame for Iraq Protest Toll: Gov't Report.” Iraq News | Al Jazeera. Al Jazeera, October 22, 2019. https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2019/10/excessive-force-blame-iraq-protest-toll-gov-report-191022110140083.html.
Arango, Tim. “Iran Dominates in Iraq After U.S. 'Handed the Country Over'.” The New York Times. The New York Times, July 15, 2017. https://www.nytimes.com/2017/07/15/world/middleeast/iran-iraq-iranian-power.html.
“Facebook.” Facebook Watch, n.d. https://www.facebook.com/Saybndia/videos/2130134187288509/.
Ibrahim, Arwa. “Why Are Iraqi Protesters Targeting Iranian Buildings?” News | Al Jazeera. Al Jazeera, November 29, 2019. https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2019/11/iraqi-protesters-targeting-iranian-buildings-191128173736467.html.
“Iraq Protests: 40 Dead as Mass Unrest Descends into Violence.” BBC News. BBC, October 25, 2019. https://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-50181212.
“Iraq Protests: Tear Gas Canisters 'Aimed at Protesters'.” BBC News. BBC, November 25, 2019. https://www.bbc.com/news/av/world-middle-east-50522724/iraq-protests-tear-gas-canisters-aimed-at-protesters.
“Iraq Protests: UN and US Call for Reforms to Help End Unrest.” BBC News. BBC, November 11, 2019. https://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-50374393.
“Iraq Unrest: PM Abdul Mahdi to Resign after Bloodiest Day in Protests.” BBC News. BBC, November 29, 2019. https://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-50600495.
Javers, Eamon. “US Tracks 'Millions' of Dollars Stolen by Iraqi Officials.” CNBC. CNBC, October 26, 2011. https://www.cnbc.com/id/45050759.
Khan, Imran. “Iraq Corruption Watchdog: $320bn Stolen over 15 Years.” Iraq News | Al Jazeera. Al Jazeera, May 8, 2018. https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2018/05/iraq-corruption-watchdog-320bn-stolen-15-years-180508164137560.html.
Kirby, Jen. “Iraq's Protests, Explained.” Vox. Vox, November 5, 2019. https://www.vox.com/2019/11/5/20947668/iraqs-protests-baghdad-mahdi-tehran-explained.
Magid, Pesha. “Iraq: Threats, Violence and Kidnap Taking a Psychological Toll on Protesters.” The National. The National, November 19, 2019. https://www.thenational.ae/world/mena/iraq-threats-violence-and-kidnap-taking-a-psychological-toll-on-protesters-1.939583.
Miller, Zeke. “Pence Visits Iraq Unannounced Amid Anti-Corruption Protests.” Time. Time, November 24, 2019. https://time.com/5737911/mike-pence-iraq-visit/.
April 9, 2003--On this day, the monstrous dictator Saddam Hussein’s tyranny ended when U.S. troops captured Iraq’s capital, Baghdad. Citizens flooded the streets of Baghdad, clapping and cheering alongside U.S. marines ready to take down their dictator’s iron statue located in Firdos Square. Iraqis breathe a sigh of relief, thinking they will no longer live in fear and that a righteous, stable government will be set in place by the United States with the help of other countries. Fast forward to Iraq today, people are now flooding the streets not with pride, but years of accumulated anger from government injustice.
Fall of Saddam Hussein's Statue
Here are some key questions regarding the protests, answered.
When and what ignited the protests to begin?
The protests began on October 1, 2019 in Baghdad’s Tahrir Square. According to Jen Kirby of Vox, two events could have ignited the protests. In September, PhD and master students were peacefully protesting for weeks about lack of job opportunities and high unemployment rates. In late September, the government responded by using water cannons to stop the protests. This brought attention to the government’s unethical response, and their lack of help to bring about change. During this time, a popular military leader, Staff Lieutenant General Abdulwahab al-Saadi, was demoted without any justification. He was considered a hero among the Iraqis because he was a key leader in helping retake Mosul from ISIS. Many Iraqis think he was demoted to appease Iran, since he was closely involved with the U.S. and Saudi Arabia while trying to bring down ISIS.
Footage of water cannons being used against protesters
What are protesters demanding from the government?
The early protests in October began with demands for more jobs, access to basic resources like electricity and water, along with better public services such as healthcare, and better infrastructure (Kirby). Then, protesters started to demand for all government officials to resign, and to create a corrupt-free government. They want new electoral laws, and elections to take place. Protesters want these new elections to be a place where their vote matters, and there is no Irani influence on the outcomes of the elections. Two key components contribute to the long history of corruption in Iraq: Iraqi officials stealing money from the government, and Iran’s dominant influence on all aspects of government.
The new government everybody looked up to in 2003 gathered government officials that put their self-interest before the people, stealing millions of dollars. In 2011 the Special Inspector for Iraq Reconstruction, Stuart W. Bowen Jr., was tracking the $2.8 billion fund sent by U.S. to help with Iraq’s reconstruction activity. Bowen provided three examples of mishandling of money, one of which $1.6 billion out of $2.4 billion was transferred to a central bank in Kurdistan, and only $766.4 million was placed in the Baghdad account. Bowen believes it was not a good idea for the U.S. to send millions of dollars to Iraq. After being asked how much money was stolen in Iraq by reporter Eamon Javers, he states, “...What I’ve learned is that hundreds of millions if not billions of dollars of development fund for Iraq money was stolen by senior Iraqi officials for their own personal gain.” This investigation was conducted 8 years ago, and the corruption has only increased by government officials since that time. Imran Khan of Aljazeera reported in May 2018, “The parliamentary transparency commission in Iraq says $320 billion has gone missing in the past 15 years, because of government corruption.” According to a business owner interviewed by Khan, a simple example of corruption is the contracts Iraq makes with multiple Arab countries for imported goods and groceries. The government does not support national products or farmers, so it can make money from those contracts. Corruption has been rooted in the government since 2003, and Iraqis are tired of being robbed of opportunity, and a better quality of life.
Another component to corruption is Iran’s dominant influence on all components of government: military, politics, economy, and culture. Tim Arango of the New York Times explains the many different ways Iran has entrenched itself in its neighbor Iraq. Iran exports many of its products to Iraq, ranging from food to illicit drugs, which gives them a steady flow of income. The Irani government also sends Shiite militias to gain allies in Iraq’s parliament and promote the message that since United States failed to do its job, they are the only reliable ally for Iraq. A critical point of Iran’s direct involvement came when Iraq was fighting ISIS. Their military leaders were able to support Iraq by sending military weapons and supplies, along with Shiite militias to assist in the fight. Iran even created a political party, the Badr Organization, in Iraq during the Iran-Iraq war to fight against Saddam Hussein--an Iraqi militia loyal to Iran. Due to the abrupt absence of U.S. troops in Iraq in 2011, this is when Iran took advantage and made Iraq a source of steady profit and expand its political power. That’s why protesters are starting to resist Irani influence by boycotting their products, setting fires to Irani buildings such as the consulate in Najaf, and striking images of Iran’s leader Ayatollah Ali Khameni (Ibrahim).
What is the response from the Iraqi Government?
In the beginning, the government enforced a curfew and cut off the Internet to prevent protesters from communicating with each other. They also ordered security forces to resist and contain protests with brutal tactics, this includes using water cannons, live ammunition, rubber bullets and tear gas (Aljazeera). About 400 people have been killed since the beginning of the protests (BBC News). The Iraqi government determined in October that excessive force was used by security forces, and prime minister Abdul Mahdi said those officers ordering unethical acts would be held accountable for their actions (Aljazeera). It is not clear whether they have effectively limited excessive force. For example, engineering graduate and activist Safaa al Saray was killed by getting shot in the head with a tear gas canister. BBC further explains, “The canister entered the protestor’s skull above the eye and lodged his brain.” It is not clear who is behind these type of killings, but protestors claim the tear gas canisters are of military grade. There have also been a few kidnappings and threats made to many to stop engaging in protests by security forces (Magid). Magid provides the case of an attempted kidnapping of a doctor by a group of masked men, but he managed to escape. The increasing fears of threats and kidnapping are causing paranoia among protesters. It is clear that the protesters have suffered from excessive physical and psychological violence.
There have also been promises made by some government officials. Since last month, Iraq’s president, Barham Salih, has listened to protester’s demands and ordered parliament to draft a new election law. Salih says early elections would take place once enacted (Krauss et al.). After bloodiest day of protests occurred yesterday, the prime minister, Adel Abdul Mahi, says he will submit his resignation--one of the primary demands of the protesters (BBC News). This will allow a new government to be chosen. There are some major steps taken forward, but it is at the cost of increasingly violent protests.
What is the response from the international community?
The response has been slow. The United States supported the United Nations’ plea to the Iraqi government to stop the violent protests. The UN Assistance Mission for Iraq also created a series of measures for Iraqi government officials to follow to end the violent protests,which can be found here. Vice president Pence also called the Iraqi prime minister a few days before his resignation while visiting the Iraqi Kurdistan President, Nechirvan Barzani. According to Zeke Miller of TIME, “U.S. Ambassador to Iraq Matthew Tueller said Pence expressed support for a free, sovereign and independent Iraq — a subtle warning against Iranian influence in the country, which has weakened cooperation between the U.S. and Iraq.” These protests are a critical time for all three countries: the stance of U.S.- Iraq relations, Iran may be losing a large source of its profit and power, and Iraq may finally end the decades of corruption with new government officials.
Is it time for the Iraqi government to obey the demands of its people?
Yes. Iraqis have lived in constant warfare for decades. Under Saddam Hussein’s rule, Iraq was in three large wars with devastating losses: Iran-Iraq War, Persian Gulf War, and U.S.-Iraq War. After the U.S. officially declared war with Iraq over in 2011, ISIS began its invasion in Mosul three years later, and are still trying to prevent their expansion today. Their daily lives throughout war have consisted of fear, paranoia, prolonged violence, watching loved ones die, and living in poor conditions. Electricity outage occurs multiple times a day, which is especially difficult during the summers, and clean water is hard to find. Many young graduates cannot get a job in the fields they studies, unless they know someone that can get them a jobs: bias and discrimination run rampant. Kidnappings and threats can be done by multiple parties. Bomb explosions can also occur anywhere: bombs can be placed under your car, or attached to devout Muslims ready to commit suicide. Death seems inevitable, in addition to the poor living conditions and limited resources available. It is time for the Iraq government to address these issues that Iraqis have tolerated for so long. The protesters’ message is clear: they will not rest until their demands are rightfully heard.
Works Cited
Abdul-Zahra, Qassim, and Joseph Krauss. “Iraq President Bows to Protesters and Calls for New Voting Law.” PBS. Public Broadcasting Service, October 31, 2019. https://www.pbs.org/newshour/world/iraq-president-bows-to-protesters-and-calls-for-new-voting-law.
Al Jazeera. “Excessive Force to Blame for Iraq Protest Toll: Gov't Report.” Iraq News | Al Jazeera. Al Jazeera, October 22, 2019. https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2019/10/excessive-force-blame-iraq-protest-toll-gov-report-191022110140083.html.
Arango, Tim. “Iran Dominates in Iraq After U.S. 'Handed the Country Over'.” The New York Times. The New York Times, July 15, 2017. https://www.nytimes.com/2017/07/15/world/middleeast/iran-iraq-iranian-power.html.
“Facebook.” Facebook Watch, n.d. https://www.facebook.com/Saybndia/videos/2130134187288509/.
Ibrahim, Arwa. “Why Are Iraqi Protesters Targeting Iranian Buildings?” News | Al Jazeera. Al Jazeera, November 29, 2019. https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2019/11/iraqi-protesters-targeting-iranian-buildings-191128173736467.html.
“Iraq Protests: 40 Dead as Mass Unrest Descends into Violence.” BBC News. BBC, October 25, 2019. https://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-50181212.
“Iraq Protests: Tear Gas Canisters 'Aimed at Protesters'.” BBC News. BBC, November 25, 2019. https://www.bbc.com/news/av/world-middle-east-50522724/iraq-protests-tear-gas-canisters-aimed-at-protesters.
“Iraq Protests: UN and US Call for Reforms to Help End Unrest.” BBC News. BBC, November 11, 2019. https://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-50374393.
“Iraq Unrest: PM Abdul Mahdi to Resign after Bloodiest Day in Protests.” BBC News. BBC, November 29, 2019. https://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-50600495.
Javers, Eamon. “US Tracks 'Millions' of Dollars Stolen by Iraqi Officials.” CNBC. CNBC, October 26, 2011. https://www.cnbc.com/id/45050759.
Khan, Imran. “Iraq Corruption Watchdog: $320bn Stolen over 15 Years.” Iraq News | Al Jazeera. Al Jazeera, May 8, 2018. https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2018/05/iraq-corruption-watchdog-320bn-stolen-15-years-180508164137560.html.
Kirby, Jen. “Iraq's Protests, Explained.” Vox. Vox, November 5, 2019. https://www.vox.com/2019/11/5/20947668/iraqs-protests-baghdad-mahdi-tehran-explained.
Magid, Pesha. “Iraq: Threats, Violence and Kidnap Taking a Psychological Toll on Protesters.” The National. The National, November 19, 2019. https://www.thenational.ae/world/mena/iraq-threats-violence-and-kidnap-taking-a-psychological-toll-on-protesters-1.939583.
Miller, Zeke. “Pence Visits Iraq Unannounced Amid Anti-Corruption Protests.” Time. Time, November 24, 2019. https://time.com/5737911/mike-pence-iraq-visit/.
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