Wikipedia

2011 Iraqi protests

This article is about the 2011 anti-government protests. For the later Sunni led protests, see2012–2013 Iraqi protests.

The2011 Iraqi protestscame in the wake of theTunisian revolutionand2011 Egyptian revolution.They resulted in at least 35 deaths, including at least 29 on 25 February 2011, the "Day of Rage".

2011 Iraqi protests
Part of theArab Springand theprotests against the Iraq War
Date12 February 2011 – 23 December 2011
(10 months, 1 week and 4 days)[1]
Location
Iraq
Caused by
MethodsDemonstrations,riots
Casualties
Death(s)35
Injuriesat least 296

Several protests in March were against theSaudi-ledintervention in Bahrain.[2][3]

Protests also took placeinIraqi Kurdistan,an autonomousKurdishregion in Iraq's north, and lasted for 62 days.

Background

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In an effort to prevent potential unrest,IraqiPrime MinisterNouri al-Malikiannounced that he will not run for a third term in 2014, and called for a constitutional term limit.[4] Nevertheless, hundreds of protesters gathered in several major Iraqi urban areas on 12 February (notably Baghdad and Karbala) demanding a more effective approach to the issue of national security and investigation into federal corruption cases, as well as government action towards making public services fair and accessible. In response, the government of Iraq subsidised electricity costs.

Protests

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Israel'sHaaretzreported that a 31-year-old man inMosuldied after he self-immolated in protest against unemployment.Haaretzalso reported a planned "Revolution of Iraqi Rage" to be held on 25 February near theGreen Zone.[5]

Timeline

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12 February

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Hundreds of protesters gathered in several major Iraqi urban areas, most notably inBaghdadandKarbala,demanding a more effective approach to the issue of national security and an investigation into federal corruption cases, as well as government action towards making public services fair and accessible.[6][7][8]In response, the government of Iraq subsidised electricity costs.[9]

16–18 February

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On 16 February, up to 2,000 protesters took over a provincial council building in the city ofKut.The protesters demanded the provincial governor resign due to a lack of basic services such as electricity and water. Up to three people were reported killed and 30 injured.

On 17 February, two people were killed as protesters threw stones at the headquarters of theKurdistan Democratic Party,headed byMasoud Barzani,president of Iraq's semi-autonomous northern Kurdish region in Sulaimaniya, Iraqi Kurdistan.[10]

On 18 February, around a thousand demonstrators blockaded a bridge in Basra, demanding the resignation of the provincial governor.[11]

23 February

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Lt. Gen.Abdul-Aziz Al-Kubaisi(Arabic:عبد العزيز الكبيسي) resigned from his post as the Director General at the Iraqi Ministry of Defense, gave up his military rank, and removed it from his shoulders on television.[12]Following this step, he was arrested by security forces. Al Kubaisi described the Iraqi government as corrupt and called on all officers to declare their resignation and join the demonstrators, who are planning a demonstration on 25 February.[12]

Three officers, including one colonel, responded to this call and announced their resignations. Uday Zaidi, who has previously organized protests, revealed that these officers have joined the demonstrations. Zaidi toldAl Jazeerathat 37 personnel from the Ministry of Interior have also resigned and joined the crowds of demonstrators.[12]

24 February

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On 24 February,Muntadhar al-Zaidi,an Iraqi journalist famous for the 2008 shoeing incident, was arrested for allegedly taking part in the protests. Al-Zaidi is popular in Iraq for what Iraqis see as his act of defiance.[13]

25 February– "Day of Rage"

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Major protests were held throughout Iraq on 25 February, centering on the nation's high unemployment, corruption, and poor public services.[14]During the protests, crowds stormed provincial buildings, in addition tojailbreakingprisoners and forcing local officials to resign. At least twenty-nine people were killed across the country as a result of protests on this day, though thedeadliest proteststook place inIraqi Kurdistan.[15][16][17]

26 February

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Protests were diminished from the 25 February "Day of Rage," due to the deaths that resulted during it. Hundreds were detained by Iraqi security forces, includingjournalists,artists, andintellectuals.One of the artists that was arrested, Hussam al-Ssair, later stated that "It was like they were dealing with a bunch ofal-Qaedaoperatives, not a group of journalists. "[17]

16 March

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New protests arose at Baghdad and Basra against theSaudi-ledintervention in Bahrain.[2]

17 March

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AtKerbelaabout 3,000 people demonstrated against Saudi Arabia.[18]Nouri al-Maliki criticized the Saudi intervention.[19]

April–May

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Beginning on 9 April 2011, the 8th anniversary of the fall of Saddam Hussein, the protests escalated with thousands protesting in Baghdad'sTahrir Square(Liberation Square) and all over the country.[20][21]The protests extended to anger at theUS occupation,and culminated on 26 May 2011 with a demonstration organized byMuqtada al-Sadr.Reports of participants vary from 100 thousand (Iraq's officialAl Sabaah)[22]to half a million people (Baghdad's independentNew Sabah[ar]).[23](The highest figures are not unlikely, as similar protests by Muqtada al-Sadr have drawn up to a million people, as in 2007[24]and 2012.[25])

10 June

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June 2011 protests inLiberation Square, Baghdad

About 400 protesters converged on Tahrir Square inBaghdadafter Prime MinisterNouri al-Maliki's deadline for reform expired.[26]

12 August

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Dozens protested in Tahrir Square, calling for Oil MinisterKarim Luaibito be fired, a planned port named for ex-President ofEgyptHosni Mubarakto be scrapped, andpolitical prisonersto be released.[27]

2 December

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The2011 Duhuk riotsrefers to riots byMuslimKurdson 2 December 2011 which were instigated byFriday prayers' sermons calling forJihadagainst liquor stores and massage parlours inZakhoin theDohuk Governorate,Iraq.The riots soon developed to looting and burning down ofAssyrianandYazidi-owned properties in other towns in Iraqi Kurdistan over the next couple of days.

Responses

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Domestic

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In response to the initial round of protests, Prime MinisterNouri al-Malikisaid that his ministers who do not improve their ministries face dismissal. An MP also called for provincial elections to be brought forward by two years.

See also

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References

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  1. ^"Iraq: Intensifying Crackdown on Free Speech, Protests".22 January 2012.Archivedfrom the original on 1 September 2022.Retrieved4 December2016.
  2. ^abal-Ansary, Khalid (16 March 2011)."Iraq's Sadr followers march against Bahrain crackdown".Reuters.Baghdad.Archivedfrom the original on 28 January 2020.Retrieved27 January2012.
  3. ^Santana, Rebecca (2 April 2011)."Crackdown in Bahrain Enflames Iraq's Shiites".ABC News.Baghdad. Associated Press.Retrieved27 January2012.
  4. ^Jakes, Lara (5 February 2011)."Eye on unrest, Iraq PM says he won't seek 3rd term".MyWay.Associated Press.Archivedfrom the original on 10 March 2012.Retrieved8 February2011.
  5. ^"Iraq man dies of self-immolation to protest rising unemployment".Haaretz.13 February 2011.Archivedfrom the original on 14 February 2011.Retrieved13 February2011.
  6. ^Sly, Liz (12 February 2011)."Egyptian revolution sparks protest movement in democratic Iraq".The Washington Post.Archivedfrom the original on 3 October 2018.Retrieved12 February2011.
  7. ^"Protesters in Iraqi Cities Demand Better Social Services, Corruption Probes".Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty. 12 February 2011.Archivedfrom the original on 22 February 2011.Retrieved12 February2011.
  8. ^"Iraqis anger spelled out in street protests".Al Sumaria.12 February 2011. Archived fromthe originalon 28 January 2012.Retrieved12 February2011.
  9. ^Rasheed, Ahmed (12 February 2011)."Iraq subsidises power after protests over services".Reuters Africa. Archived fromthe originalon 4 March 2011.Retrieved12 February2011.
  10. ^"Two killed, 47 hurt in Iraq protest violence".Reuters.17 February 2011.Archivedfrom the original on 1 February 2016.Retrieved26 April2011.
  11. ^"Demonstrators block bridge in south Iraqi city".Ynetnews. 18 February 2011.Archivedfrom the original on 28 June 2011.Retrieved20 February2011.
  12. ^abc"لعراق على طريق الثورة.. ضابط كبير ينضم للدعوة لمليونية الجمعة".Shorouk News.Shorouk. 23 February 2011.Archivedfrom the original on 27 February 2011.Retrieved24 February2011.
  13. ^"Iraqi Shoe-Thrower Arrested for Supporting Protests".Voice of America. 24 February 2011.Archivedfrom the original on 27 February 2011.Retrieved25 February2011.
  14. ^"Tensions flare in Iraq rallies".Al Jazeera English.25 February 2011.Archivedfrom the original on 25 February 2011.Retrieved25 February2011.
  15. ^Salaheddin, Sinan (25 February 2011)."11 killed as Iraqis protest in 'Day of Rage'".Yahoo! News. Archived fromthe originalon 27 February 2011.Retrieved25 February2011.
  16. ^"Toll rises as Iraq, Yemen protests rage".ABC News (Australian Broadcasting Corporation). 26 February 2011.Archivedfrom the original on 23 April 2011.Retrieved24 April2011.
  17. ^abMcCrummen, Stephanie (26 February 2011)."Iraq 'Day of Rage' protests followed by detentions, beatings".The Washington Post.Archivedfrom the original on 19 October 2017.Retrieved20 September2017.
  18. ^"Anspannung in Bahrain - USA machen Druck".Archived fromthe originalon 19 July 2011.Retrieved17 March2011.
  19. ^"Festnahmen nach Niederschlagung der Proteste in Bahrain"[Arrests after crackdown on protests in Bahrain] (in German). Manama. Reuters Deutschland. 17 March 2011. Archived fromthe originalon 18 March 2011.Retrieved27 January2012.
  20. ^"Angry crowds in Baghdad, Falluja protest conditions in Iraq".CNN.9 April 2011.Archivedfrom the original on 23 January 2023.Retrieved23 January2023.
  21. ^Cauter, Lieven De (24 April 2011)."From Baghdad's Own Tahrir Square to Mosul: The Friday of the Free".Truthout.Archivedfrom the original on 23 January 2023.Retrieved23 January2023.
  22. ^Sadrist movement protestAl Sabaah(in Arabic),26 May 2011. Retrieved Nov 2012.
  23. ^Sadrist movement protestNew Sabah(in Arabic),26 May 2011. Retrieved Nov 2012.Archived28 December 2012 at theWayback Machine
  24. ^"Moqtada rallies Shia to demand withdrawal of foreign troops".the Guardian.10 April 2007.Archivedfrom the original on 23 January 2023.Retrieved23 January2023.
  25. ^"Iraq's Sadr stages Shi'ite show of force before summit".Reuters.19 March 2012.Archivedfrom the original on 17 May 2021.Retrieved23 January2023.
  26. ^"Hundreds rally after Iraq deadline expires",Hürriyet Daily News.10 June 2011. Retrieved 15 June 2011.Archived17 June 2011 at theWayback Machine
  27. ^"Iraqis protest in Tahrir Square".Alsumaria. 12 August 2011. Archived fromthe originalon 9 September 2011.Retrieved12 August2011.
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