The protests in Iraq, while obviously inspired by those in other Arab countries, have a different focus. The latter have been primarily about politics. In Iraq the protestors’ demands center on economic problems. They want more jobs and electricity and less corruption. Due to its natural resource endowment, Iraq is an example of what political […]
Hundreds of Iraqis protested against the government on Monday in a “Day of Regret” on the anniversary of the election that resulted in a second term for Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki. And in a move that has drawn criticism from many quarters, the security forces have shut down the offices of two small parties that […]
Thousands protested throughout Iraq on Friday in anti-government demonstrations, despite security checkpoints and a vehicle ban in at least ten cities. Baghdad: About 2,000 people demonstrated in and around Liberation Square [Tahrir Square], surrounded by hundreds of security force personnel. Mayor Saber al-Issawi has resigned. Basra: About 1,000 people gathered at the Basra provincial council […]
Overview Conditions continue to worsen in Iraq, with civil unrest gripping cities from Arbil in the north to Basrah in the south over the past week. As well as demonstrations in Kurdistan there has also been a lesser reported rise in ethnic tensions around the city of Kirkuk. The past week has also seen a […]
Iraq has seen its share of demonstrations over the past week, with number of fatalities reaching into double figures, public offices being burned, and the governors of Basra and Babil being forced to resign; the governor of Ninewa, a brother of the parliamentary Speaker, has rejected calls from Nouri al-Maliki and others to follow suit. […]
A representative of the protesters in Sulaimaniya said the anti-government campaigners have given the Kurdistan Regional Government 48 hours to respond officially to their demands or they will stage a general strike in Sulaimaniya city. The parliament sent a 12-member delegation to hear the demands of the marchers on Monday, almost 12 days after the […]
The following article was published on Friday by Reidar Visser, an historian of Iraq educated at the University of Oxford and currently based at the Norwegian Institute of International Affairs. It is reproduced here with the author’s permission. The opinions expressed are those of the author, and do not necessarily reflect the views of Iraq […]
Al Jazeera reports that at least 12 protesters were shot dead by security forces during Friday's 'day of rage', during which at least 17 demonstrations were held throughout Iraq. Iraqi security forces detained hundreds of people, including prominent journalists, artists and intellectuals, according to a report from the Washington Post. Four journalists described being rounded […]
The demonstrations seen throughout Iraq over the past two weeks have so far had no discernable effect on the ISX. As of February 24, the RSISX index had risen 19% year-to-date to a new high for the year. Iraq is now the region’s top performer. This strong performance is not hard to understand. In contrast […]
Friday, billed as a 'day of rage' in Iraq, saw protests throughout the country despite Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki urging people to not participate in the protests for security reasons. Baghdad: The center of the city was 'virtually locked down' on Friday. Demonstrators trying to get across a bridge going from the square to the […]
With popular uprisings sweeping across the Middle East in recent weeks, Iraq too has seen its share of protests, but the focus here is different. Rather than trying to bring down the (elected) government, the people are expressing their anger at problems such as unemployment, sub-standard public services, scarcity of food, and the corruption and […]
Hundreds of protesters inspired by unrest around the Arab world took to the streets of the northern Iraqi city of Sulaimaniya on Sunday and at least 48 people were injured, according to Reuters. Associated Press reports at least one person killed overnight. A source told Iraq Business News that a massive demonstration is planned for […]
