Tensions Escalate between Protesters, Security Forces

Although Abadi and Hadi al-Amiri, a leader in the Popular Mobilization Units and the head of the Badr Organization, have called for postponing the demonstrations, the committee organizing the protests remained determined to continue the movement.

Abadi and Amiri are opposed to demonstrations because Iraqi forces are currently engaged in a fierce battle with the Islamic State (IS) in Fallujah, 62 kilometers (38 miles) from Baghdad. They argue that demonstrations will drain security forces who have to protect the protesters and fight IS at the same time. However, the demonstrations’ coordination committee considered in its statement June 6 that postponement is “an unacceptable evasion of responsibility.”

In an interview with Al-Monitor, a member of the security committee at the Baghdad Provincial Council, Saad al-Muttalibi, said, “Demonstrators have clearly started rioting. Violent discourse is growing among the protesters.”

He added, “By monitoring the protesters’ social media posts and press statements, one can easily discern violence or the decision to resort to it.”

But cleric Iyad al-Kaabi, a Sadrist student at the Shiite seminary of Najaf and one of the Islamic leaders of the demonstrations, told Al-Monitor, “Protesters are armed with flowers, peaceful expressions [on their faces] and Iraqi flags.” However, he added, “These demonstrations might turn into a general revolution if the government continues to ignore the people’s demands.”