Economic conditions and events in Palestine continue to inflame the Iraqi street

• Demonstration in the capital, Baghdad October 25, 2023

During the demonstration, the participants displayed banners condemning the conflict in Palestine and expressing their solidarity with the Palestinian cause. Furthermore, they held banners denouncing the rampant corruption in Iraq and the dire economic conditions prevailing in the country. One demonstrator articulated that their participation served dual purposes: the first being a show of support for a people enduring challenges akin to those faced by Iraqis, and the second aimed at compelling the government to take decisive actions against corruption and the illicit outflow of foreign currency, factors directly impacting the economic well-being of the Iraqi population.

From a governmental perspective, no official statement was issued in response to the demonstrators' demands. In terms of security, the presence of security forces was noted in the vicinity, yet they refrained from intervening in the demonstration. Their role was limited to organizing the event, ensuring the safety of the demonstrators, and preventing any signs of violence from emerging. On the media front, multiple media channels provided coverage of the event, along with extensive social media participation.

• Sulaymaniyah Governorate demonstration October 22, 2023

During the demonstration, the protesters called upon the regional government to take swift and substantial measures to ensure the timely provision of financial benefits to citizens. They also urged the authorities to prioritize the transition of contract teachers to permanent staff positions, addressing a critical concern in the education sector.

The issue of unpaid financial dues has emerged as a primary source of contention between the regional government and the central government in Baghdad. In September, the regional government reached an agreement with the Iraqi federal government concerning the salaries of employees in the Kurdistan region. This agreement stipulated that Baghdad would disburse three payments, each totaling 700 billion dinars (equivalent to approximately 530 million dollars) to the Kurdistan region, commencing in September. While this offer seemed to hold the promise of resolving salary-related issues for regional employees, its implementation encountered numerous obstacles and challenges that directly affected the region's citizens.

From a governmental standpoint, the regional government has expressed its solidarity with the citizens' demands. This is because the responsibility for disbursing financial benefits now rests with the federal government, following the agreement reached between the regional and federal authorities. Masrour Barzani, the Prime Minister of the Kurdistan Regional Government, has consistently emphasized the urgency of the federal government honoring its commitment to provide financial benefits to the region.

In terms of security, the presence of security forces was noted, and they refrained from intervening in the demonstration. Their primary role was to maintain a peaceful environment and prevent any acts of violence during the event.

Regarding media coverage, multiple media channels were present to report on the demonstration, and social media platforms, including Facebook, played a significant role in disseminating information about the event.

Reasons for the Demonstration and Demands of the Demonstrators

Upon reviewing the recent demonstration that unfolded in the capital, Baghdad, it becomes evident that the primary motivations for its initiation were as follows:

• Condemnation of Israeli attacks on the Gaza Strip
• Combatting corruption within Iraq
• Halting the illegal smuggling of hard currency, specifically the US dollar, out of Iraq
• Enhancing the quality of life for the Iraqi population
• Ensuring the timely disbursement of financial entitlements to regional employees
• The appointment of lecturers to permanent positions

Observations on the Handling of Demonstrations by Security Agencies

Based on the findings of our monitoring team, it is noteworthy that the security forces responded proactively to the demonstrations in Iraq. Notably, there were no significant security breaches or violations observed during these protests