Your bullets don’t scare us, Iraqis tell Abdul Mahdi

It’s about corruption, protest leader says in Arab News interview

TURMOIL IN IRAQ

Angry Iraqis defied a roundthe-clock curfew in Baghdad and deadly fire from security forces on Thursday as the death toll from three days of protests rose to 28, with more than 1,000 injured.

“The bullets do not scare us. They do not scare Iraqis. This will all come down on their heads,” one protester in the capital said.

The demonstrations began on Tuesday in protest at corruption, unemployment and failed public services. “I’ve got nothing but 250 lira (less than 1 Saudi riyal) in my pocket while government officials have millions,” said one protester, Ali, 22, an unemployed university graduate. Protesters directed their anger at corrupt politicians they say are doing nothing to improve their lives. “The people are being robbed, they’re begging on the street. There is no work, you come to protest, they fire at you,” said one man, covering his face in a scarf.

Authorities in Baghdad tried to thwart a third day of protests with the curfew and an almost complete block on internet access and messaging apps. Troops patrolled main roads and public spaces, but by morning sporadic demonstrations had begun, and troops opened fire with live ammunition. At least 4,000 protesters gathered in Tayaran Square and tried to march on to Tahrir Square, but were repelled by live fire and tear gas. Police also used live ammunition in the Zaafaraniya district of Baghdad, where a protester was shot dead, and there were protests in the northwestern Shula district.

The demonstrations began in Baghdad and spread across the mainly Shiite south, including the provinces of Dhi Qar, Missan, Najaf, Basra, Wasit and Babylon. They appeared initially to have no obvious organizers, and took authorities by surprise.

One of the protest leaders told Arab News on Thursday that they were trying to alert the international community to what was happening, and to root out corrupt officials and politicians.

“We do not target the political process,” said Mustafa Hameed, who used a different name to protect his identity. “We are not targeting the Mahdi government exclusively. We want to bring the corrupt to court … at least the corrupt from during the Maliki government.

“If Abdul Mahdi could make this decision and provide the necessary guarantees for its implementation, we would withdraw from the streets within 24 hours.”