Iraq in Motion: Protest Waves and Power Tensions

1.Executive Summary

During February 2026, Iraq and the Kurdistan Region witnessed a diverse wave of protests and public mobilizations driven by political, economic, and regional developments.

In the Kurdistan Region, large solidarity marches were organized in support of the Kurds in Northeast Syria (Rojava), culminating on February 1 under the banner of the “International Day of Support for Rojava.” The movement extended beyond street demonstrations and evolved into structured humanitarian initiatives, including fundraising campaigns and the dispatch of food and medical aid convoys from Sulaymaniyah to Qamishli.

On February 8, thousands of merchants and shopkeepers in Baghdad and several provinces protested a government decision to increase customs duties and impose additional fines on imported goods. The demonstrations were accompanied by widespread market closures, particularly sensitive due to the approaching month of Ramadan. Protesters demanded the cancellation or amendment of the decision, a reduction of customs duties to previous levels (5%), and faster customs clearance procedures.

On February 26, a public gathering in Basra supported Iraq’s recent deposit of its maritime boundary coordinates with the United Nations, affirming national sovereignty over Khor Abdullah. On February 28, protests erupted in Baghdad condemning U.S.–Israeli airstrikes on Iran. Demonstrations near the Green Zone reflected public concern over regional escalation, while Iraqi authorities temporarily closed airspace as a precautionary security measure.

Overall, the protest landscape in February reflects a convergence of regional solidarity, economic grievances, maritime sovereignty concerns, and reactions to escalating regional conflict.

Demonstrations in Sulaymaniyah in support of the Kurds in Syria.

During  February 2026, the Kurdistan Region of Iraq witnessed a wave of solidarity movements in support of the Kurds in northeastern Syria (Rojava). These movements were not limited to street demonstrations but quickly turned into a community mobilization campaign that included marches, fundraising, and aid convoys.

Throughout February 2026, the Kurdistan Region experienced organised solidarity movements supporting the Kurds in Northeast Syria. On February 1, mass marches were held in several cities, including Sulaymaniyah, under the title “International Day of Support for Rojava.” Participants emphasised Kurdish unity and rejected ongoing attacks in northeastern Syria. The demonstrations were peaceful and symbolic in character. Shortly thereafter, solidarity expanded into structured humanitarian action. Local media reported the arrival of organised aid convoys in Qamishli, including trucks carrying food, medicine, and essential goods for women and children. These convoys were prepared in Sulaymaniyah and represented a coordinated civil society response.

The movement thus developed along two parallel tracks:

• Public solidarity demonstrations.
• Organised humanitarian support initiatives.

Demonstrations by businessmen and the closure of shops due to the rise in customs duties

On February 8, 2026, large-scale protests were organized by merchants and shop owners in Baghdad and other provinces in response to increased customs duties and financial penalties on imported goods.

Demonstrators gathered near the Iraqi Customs Authority building on Al-Nidal Street in Baghdad, carrying Iraqi flags and demanding:

• Cancellation or amendment of the customs decision.
• Reduction of duties to no more than 5%.
• Resolution of container accumulation in ports and acceleration of clearance procedures.

Markets in several areas were closed as a form of economic protest. Organizers stated that the policy would significantly increase consumer prices, particularly critical ahead of Ramadan.

Security forces maintained a visible presence, and the demonstrations remained controlled without major reported violence.

Basra and demonstrations to resolve the map dispute over Khor Abdullah

On Thursday evening, February 26, 2026, Corniche Street in central Basra witnessed a public gathering in front of the Kuwaiti Consulate. Dozens of citizens assembled, raising slogans affirming Iraq’s sovereignty over Khor Abdullah and emphasising that the maritime corridor constitutes an inalienable national right.

The gathering followed Iraq’s recent deposit of maritime boundary coordinates with the United Nations in January and February 2026. These submissions included coordinates for straight baselines, territorial sea limits, the contiguous zone, the exclusive economic zone, and the continental shelf, in accordance with the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (1982) and the World Geodetic System (WGS-84).

Participants emphasised that the deposit formalised Iraq’s maritime rights and strengthened its legal standing. The demonstration was peaceful and symbolic in nature. Protesters stressed that they did not oppose diplomatic engagement but insisted that any settlement must align with international law and safeguard Iraq’s sovereign interests. Gathering in Basra represented a domestic expression of support for the government’s legal actions and underscored the strategic and economic significance of Khor Abdullah for southern Iraq.

The messages conveyed by the demonstrators in Basra also included:

• Rejecting any external pressure or attempts to reopen the border issue in a way that restricts national sovereignty.
• Emphasizing the importance of Al Khor as an economic and strategic outlet for Iraq, especially with future projects to develop maritime ports and expand trade.
• Calling on the government to be prudent and not to back down from the legal steps it has taken within the framework of the United Nations.

Demonstration in Iraq against US-Israeli attacks against Iran

On February 28, 2026, protests erupted in Baghdad following U.S.–Israeli airstrikes targeting sites inside Iran. The strikes marked a significant escalation in regional tensions and prompted widespread political and public reactions across the region.

Hundreds of demonstrators gathered near the Green Zone in Baghdad, carrying banners condemning the attacks and describing them as unlawful aggression. Some protesters attempted to approach restricted areas, leading Iraqi security forces to intervene and prevent entry into the fortified zone. Minor friction was reported, though no serious injuries were confirmed within Iraq. The Iraqi government publicly condemned the strikes and warned against drawing Iraq into the expanding regional conflict. As a precautionary measure, Iraqi authorities temporarily closed the national airspace in response to heightened regional instability.

The protests reflected public anxiety over the potential spillover of regional conflict into Iraqi territory and reinforced broader calls for diplomatic de-escalation.

2. Key Events and Locations

3.Notable Incidents

Several developments during February stand out due to their political, economic, or security significance:

• The coordinated closure of markets in Baghdad and other provinces demonstrated an organized economic response rather than spontaneous unrest.
• The transformation of solidarity demonstrations in the Kurdistan Region into structured humanitarian convoys reflected sustained civic mobilization beyond symbolic protest.
• The attempt by demonstrators to approach the Green Zone on February 28 highlighted the sensitivity of diplomatic and high-security areas during periods of regional escalation.
• Iraq’s formal deposit of maritime coordinates with the United Nations intensified both domestic mobilization and regional diplomatic reactions, elevating the Khor Abdullah issue beyond a local dispute.

4. Impact and Implications

Political Implications

The protests illustrate the interconnected nature of domestic politics and regional geopolitics. Public mobilization in response to foreign military actions and maritime sovereignty issues underscores the influence of external developments on internal stability.

Economic Implications

The demonstrations by merchants reveal the sensitivity of the Iraqi market to fiscal and customs policies. Market closures prior to Ramadan indicate the potential for economic measures to trigger rapid social and commercial reactions.

Security Implications

Protests near high-security zones and the temporary closure of airspace demonstrate the government’s precautionary approach amid regional escalation. The events highlight the risk of spillover effects from regional conflicts.

Social Implications

The sustained solidarity with Rojava and organized humanitarian mobilization reflect strong cross-border social networks and the capacity of civil society actors to rapidly organize around regional causes.

Kurdistan Organization for Human Right Watch

www.KOHRW.org

Email: Reports@kohrw.org