Economic conditions and events in Palestine continue to inflame the Iraqi street
The ongoing economic challenges and events in Palestine have continued to be the catalyst for street protests in Iraq. The tragic civilian casualties and distressing occurrences in Palestine have left a profound impact on the overall psyche of Iraqi citizens. As a consequence of the hardships faced by the nation, the ongoing conflict in Palestine has incited the anger of Iraqis, leading to demonstrations in support of the Palestinian people and the assertion of their rights simultaneously.
These protests had two key dimensions. One was marked by solidarity with a people enduring the hardships of war with an uncertain future, while the other highlighted the struggles of Iraqi citizens facing recurrent crises. The purpose of this report is to examine the events of the demonstrations, which were monitored by our team, in two Iraqi governorates during the second part of October 2023.
Demonstration in the capital, Baghdad October 25, 2023
On Wednesday, October 25, 2023, the capital, Baghdad, witnessed a demonstration of supporters of the October Protest, today, Wednesday, denouncing the ongoing war in the Gaza Strip in Palestine. The monitoring team indicated that dozens demonstrated, this evening, in Al-Firdaws Square, in central Baghdad, on the fourth
anniversary of the October demonstrations and to commemorate the 25th of the month in which anti-corruption protests were renewed in 2019. The monitoring team also added that the demonstrators raised banners supporting the Palestinian cause against the bombing. The banners carried by the demonstrators primarily emphasized local concerns, including the cessation of dollar smuggling, poverty alleviation, and the eradication of widespread corruption within the state.
People of all segments and cultures can take a hit from acts of violence in any part of the world because wars and the violence resulting from them are far from human principles and are a source of human misery on earth.
Photo (1)
A demonstration in the center of the capital, Baghdad, in solidarity with the Palestinian people
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
On Saturday, October 22, 2023, a significant number of employees in Sulaymaniyah Governorate participated in a large-scale demonstration, urging the regional government to expedite the disbursement of their overdue financial entitlements. This ongoing salary crisis has become a major point of contention between Baghdad and Erbil, with the latter being held responsible for a series of strikes, notably the persistent teachers' strikes that continue to disrupt daily life. These strikes have had a direct and adverse impact on the living and administrative conditions within the governorate, leading to the closure of numerous schools and adversely affecting the entire educational system.
The continuing political crisis between the region and Baghdad has negative repercussions on the lives of citizens in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq. Which may have a negative impact on all of Iraq, both honest and political. Therefore, it is necessary to resolve these differences to ensure the stability of the country.
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 a recent statement released by the regional government, a strong emphasis was placed on the importance of safeguarding the constitutional rights and financial entitlements of the Kurdistan Region. This urgency arose, particularly following the provision of necessary clarifications, substantiated by accurate data and information, to the Finance Committee within the House of Representatives and relevant federal authorities. It is imperative that these federal bodies promptly disburse the financial entitlements to the region. The ongoing neglect of the rights of salary recipients in the region is unsustainable and must be addressed without further delay.
Photo (2)
Demonstrators from teachers and employees of Sulaymaniyah Governorate to demand their salaries
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:
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