BAGHDAD, IRAQ
Demonstrations which began in the Iraqi capital of Baghdad on October 1 continue into their second month, largely in the cities of Basra, Najaf, Karbala, Zikkar, Mussena, Missan, Nasiriye, Divaniye.
The protests, demanding the change of the political system and the corrupt ruling class, forced Iraqi Prime Minister Adil Abdulmehdi to announce his “resignation” on Friday. Simultaneously, the Shiite religious leader Ayatollah Ali Sistani had asked parliament to withdraw its support from the government.
On Saturday night, Abdulmehdi submitted his petition to the president of parliament. The Parliament is expected to meet on Sunday to discuss the resignation.
Still, the resignation was deemed insufficient by the protest movements. The demonstrations continued on Friday, Saturday night and Sunday morning. On Saturday, protests in Baghdad and the southern cities of Basra, Najaf, Zikkar, Karbala, Nasiriyah and Divaniye intensified. The activists demand the change and trial of all political rulers.
During the day of the demonstrations in Najaf, 25 people were wounded when security forces opened fire. In the holy city of Najaf, the demonstrators set fire to the entrance door of the tomb of Shia Imitation Authority Mohammed Bakir al-Hakim. Najaf police officials asked for military reinforcement from Baghdad. The Security Directorate also called on the protesters to gather at the “Es-Sadreyn Square, not at the Sevretu’l Isrin Square where the tomb is located, and promised to the demonstrators that the shooters will pay.
In the city of Nazareth, where protests have been taking place since October 1, the people have taken to the streets again. Hundreds of demonstrators gathered in the central square of the city of Nasiriye, the central city of Zikar province, and closed the traffic by burning tires on three main bridges in the city.
With the Sinek, Ahrar and Republic points the Intisar, Hadarat and Zeytun bridges occupied by the protesters in Baghdad are still closed to traffic. It is stated that the roads leading to oil plants and companies were opened.
Only Thursday and Friday, at least 67 people were killed in the city of Nasseriya, the home town of Prime Minister Adil Abdulmehdi. At least 3 activists were killed and 58 injured in Baghdad on Saturday. Since October 1, more than 400 people have been killed and more than 16,000 injured.
According to the news shared by Iraq’s official news agency, INA, the Supreme Judicial Council will ask the relatives of the killed and wounded demonstrators who have been shot by security forces to testify. “Those who attack peaceful protesters will be sentenced to the most severe penalties under the law,” the Council said in a statement.
