Violent protests against the government in Iraq have lead to curfew in Baghdad
An indefinite curfew has been imposed in Baghdad, the capital city of Republic of Iraq today, i.e., Thursday, October 3, 2019, after anti-Government protests turned violent.
The protests which started from Tahrir Square in Baghdad on Tuesday, i.e., October 1, 2019 have now spread across the country. Till now, more than 13 people have died and more than 400 injured in the protests across the country.
The protests are an outcome of increasing unemployment, Government corruption and lack of basic services in the country. The people have come to the streets to express their anger against the Prime Minister of Iraq – Adil Abdul-Mahdi.
An overnight explosion has also hit the Green Zone in Baghdad, where some Ministries and Embassies are located. The Green Zone has been recently opened in June 2019 after it was closed in 2003 owing to U.S. invasion.
In the light of the increasing civic unrest, the Prime Minister has issued a statement banning the movements across Baghdad starting 5:00 a.m. local time today. However, travellers to and from Baghdad Airport, ambulances, government employees in hospitals, electricity and water departments and religious pilgrims have been exempted from the curfew. Besides, the internet services have also been blocked for security reasons.
The statement read, “All vehicles and individuals are totally forbidden to move in Baghdad as of 5am today, Thursday, and until further notice.” The PM has also directed the Provincial Governors to decide whether to declare curfews in their provinces in Iraq on a case-to-case basis.
On Wednesday, October 2, 2019, 6 people and 1 policeman were killed and 78 wounded during the protest in the Southern city of Nasiriya in Iraq. The police had to use tear gas and fire live rounds to control the situation. Curfew has also been imposed in the towns of Amara and Hilla.
The Ministry of Defence has put the armed forces on high alert to protect government buildings, including embassies and diplomatic missions. It has also placed extra security troops to Baghdad International Airport.
Separately, the protesters also tried to break into the Municipality building in the Eastern city of Kut. The streets of al-Shaab in North Baghdad and Zafaraniya in the South also witnessed demonstrations from the angry citizens of Iraq. Protests were also seen in Northern cities of Kirkuk and Tikrit, as well as in the Eastern Province of Diyala.
The Prime Minister Abdul Mahdi, on Wednesday, had chaired an emergency meeting and had issued a statement which read, “The council affirms the right to protest, freedom of expression, and the protesters’ legitimate demands, but at the same time condemns the acts of vandalism that accompanied the protests.”
At that time, the Government promised to provide jobs for unemployed graduates and asked the Oil Ministry and other Government bodies to start including a 50% quota for local workers in subsequent contracts with foreign companies.
Asking people to restrain from getting into violence, the President of Republic of Iraq – Barham Salih tweeted, “Peaceful protest is a constitutional right guaranteed to citizens. Our children in the security forces are charged with protecting the rights of citizens and maintaining public security. I emphasize restraint and respect for the law. Our young Iraqi children are looking for reform and jobs, and our duty is to meet these legitimate entitlements. Mercy for the martyrs and healing for the wounded.”
Besides, the Parliament has also ordered a probe on the violence as its Human Rights Committee criticised the security forces for suppressing the demonstrators. The United Nations (U.N.) has also expressed concerns over the matter and has urged the Government and civilians to ensure peace in the region.
