35 Iraqi protesters shot dead in 24 hours

THOUSANDS DEFY CURFEW TO BURY DEAD IN NASIRIYAH

Iraqi security forces shot dead at least 35 protesters in a span of 24 hours after demonstrators stormed and torched an Iranian consulate overnight, in what could mark a turning point in the uprising against the Tehran-backed authorities.

At least 29 people died in the southern city of Nasiriyah when troops opened fire on demonstrators who blocked a bridge before dawn yesterday and later gathered outside a police station. Dozens were wounded.

Four others were killed in Baghdad, where security forces opened fire with live ammunition and rubber bullets against protesters near a bridge over the Tigris river, and two died in clashes in Najaf.

In Nasiriyah, thousands of mourners took to the streets, defying a curfew to bury their dead after the mass shooting.

In Baghdad, protesters attempted to cross the Ahrar Bridge leading to the Green Zone, the seat of Iraq’s government. Protesters are occupying parts of three bridges — Jumhuriya, Sinak and Ahrar — all leading to the fortified area.

Protesters had set fire to the Iranian consulate in Najaf late on Wednesday, in one of the worst attacks targeting Iranian interests in Iraq since the antigovernment protests erupted two months ago. The Iranian staff managed to escape.

The attack “sends a clear message that a segment of the Iraqi society rejects Iranian political presence in the country and holds it accountable for bringing this government,” said Shaikh Fadhil Al Budayri, a senior cleric in Najaf.

Influential cleric Moqtada Al Sadr issued a fresh call for the government to resign.

Anti-government protests have gripped Iraq since October 1. About 400 people have been killed by security forces, which routinely used live ammunition and tear gas, sometimes shooting protesters directly with gas canisters. The demonstrations started as a demand for jobs but have broadened into a call for a change in government, which demonstrators see as corrupt and beholden to Iran.

‘ Out, out, Iran!” This was what Iraqis were heard shouting as they burnt down the Iranian consulate in Najaf on Wednesday night. Antigovernment protesters who have been on the streets since early October have overwhelmingly rejected Iran’s political presence in the country.

The “corrupt” government they are protesting against is intrinsically linked and backed by Iran. The arson attack struck a symbolic blow against Iran, which attaches great importance to its outposts in the Shiite heartland of southern Iraq. It sends the message to Tehran that the Iraqi people are putting their country’s interests first, before that of Iran’s, despite the links between the two countries.

Demonstrators in Najaf are almost all Shiites, and Shiite religious authorities there have encouraged the protests, although they have insisted that they remain peaceful. The attack on the consulate comes amid widespread antigovernment protests that began nearly two months ago in Baghdad.

The demonstrations started as a demand for jobs and better government services but have broadened into a call for a change in government, which demonstrators see as corrupt and beholden to Iran.

Many of the political parties who dominate the Iraq’s Parliament have ties to Iran. In addition to having allies in Iraq’s government, Iran has ties to several militias, known as popular mobilisation forces. These militias have recently been incorporated into Iraq’s security forces, but there are fears that Iran might exert pressure on them to act in its interests.

This behaviour is not taking place in Iraq alone. Throughout the region Iran has backed proxy militias with the intent of carrying out policies which aid Iran’s agenda. For far too long, Tehran’s meddling has gone unpunished, but it is time that it is held accountable for its destructive behaviour. Recently Saudi King Salman spoke out about Iran’s aggressive policies, not only in Iraq, but in Lebanon, Syria, and Yemen.

Iran has also been behind attacks on commercial vessels in the Gulf as well as Saudi Aramco’s oil facilities.

Now more than ever, Iran needs to re-evaluate its destructive behaviour at a time when its economy is in disarray due to international sanctions and now faces an open revolt by its own people.