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Iraqi TV Station Suspended for Protest Coverage


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Wednesday، 29 January 2020 02:18 AM

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Iraqi TV Station Suspended for Protest Coverage

 

Iraqi authorities have ordered a one-month suspension for al-Dijla TV station for covering the anti-government protests in the past few months, media and police sources were cited as saying.

Al-Dijlah has at least 80 employees working at the Baghdad bureau and 50 others at the station's headquarters located in Amman.

"Interior ministry forces fully shut down Al-Dijla's office in Baghdad last night and respectfully asked the staff to leave," a source from the broadcaster told AFP.

Meanwhile, an official from the ministry of interior confirmed the report that the security forces had stormed the office in the neighborhood of Jadiriyah, east of Baghdad, on Monday.

One of the employees spoke on condition of anonymity to AFP and pointed out that the authorities in Jordan had ordered to halt the operations in the station's main office.
"The Iraqi government requested from Jordan that it halts the station's broadcasting for a month based on an Iraqi complaint," he said.

https://www.thebaghdadpost.com/en/Story/45772/Iraqi-TV-Station-Suspended-for-Protest-Coverage

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Nassiriya demonstrators respond to “government inaction” with cleaning campaigns for streets and intersections
 
 
 

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On Wednesday, the city of Nassiriya witnessed a relative calm, as protests continued to fester.

Today (29 January 2020), our correspondent reported that demonstrators cooperated with the municipality of Nasiriyah, and carried out a clean-up campaign for the intersection of the lobby, which witnessed mass protests during the past few days.

Our correspondent added that the victory bridge in the city of Nasiriyah is still cut off in front of the wheels by the demonstrators, except for humanitarian cases.

LINK

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2 hours ago, umbertino said:

History: The Day I Realized I Would Never Find Weapons of Mass Destruction in Iraq

 

By J.D. Maddox

  • Jan. 29, 2020, 5:00 a.m. ET
  •  

 

J.D. Maddox in Baghdad in 2003.

J.D. Maddox in Baghdad in 2003.Credit...via J.D. Maddox

 

 

 

https://www.nytimes.com/2020/01/29/magazine/iraq-weapons-mass-destruction.html

 

 

We found remnants of WMD such as chemical shells and some troops were exposed to agents when handling them. The NYT published an excellent article on it several years ago.

Maybe it will help if people actually know what a WMD is.

A weapon of mass destruction (WMD) is a nuclear, radiological, chemical, biological, or any other weapon that can kill and bring significant harm to numerous humans or cause great damage to human-made structures (e.g., buildings), natural structures (e.g., mountains), or the biosphere.

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5308.jpg?width=750&&height=375&watermark=2

 
01/30 2020 13:54
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  • Section: Iraq
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UNAMI's report on the situation in Iraq: the continuing loss of young lives is intolerable

Baghdad / Obelisk: The United Nations Mission, "UNAMI", urged, on Thursday, to break the political stalemate in Iraq, stressing that the continued loss of lives of bloodshed youths "is unbearable", calling on the Iraqi authorities to protect the rights of peaceful demonstrators and bring the perpetrators of the killings and unlawful attacks to justice .

"As violence continues and casualties are increased in protests, the Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Iraq, Janine Hennes-Blashart, urges increased efforts to achieve more to break the political deadlock and press ahead with major reforms," UNAMI said, in a statement issued from Baghdad to the obelisk. She warned, "The use of force costs a precious life and the crisis will not end.

The statement stressed that the continued loss of young lives and the daily bloodshed is intolerable, expressing regret "for the killing of at least 467 demonstrators and more than 9,000 wounded since October 1.

He added that the increased use of live ammunition by the security forces recently And the shooting by unknown gunmen of the demonstrators and the continuing killing of demonstrators and human rights defenders is a matter of concern, stressing the need for the Iraqi authorities to protect the rights of peaceful protesters and to ensure that all use of force is in compliance with international standards.

She added that it is equally important to fully bring to justice perpetrators of murder and unlawful attacks, noting that the climate of fear and mistrust will bring nothing but more harm.

She stressed that "political action and progress in the search for solutions must replace hesitation to deliver many promises and intentions, noting that building resilience at the state and community level is the only way to move forward to extract people from despair and renew hope.

She made clear that many sacrificed everything in order to hear their voices And solutions are urgently required, making clear that Iraq cannot endure continued violent oppression and political and economic paralysis.

She noted that "the Human Rights Office of the United Nations Assistance Mission in Iraq monitored the human rights situation in the context of the demonstrations," adding that "since the beginning of the protests in October, I issued three reports documenting human rights violations from 1 October Until 9 December with recommendations to the authorities. "

She added that since January 17, the United Nations Assistance Mission in Iraq has recorded at least 19 protesters killed, as well as more than 400 wounded by security forces in Baghdad, Basra, Dhi Qar, Diyala and Diwaniya, Karbala.

She showed that the preliminary information attributed most of the deaths and injuries to the use of live ammunition and the impact of tear gas canisters, while additional injuries occurred as a result of the security forces hitting the demonstrators with sticks, "explaining that" most of the violence that the security forces use occurs in the context of attempts to liquidate roadblocks or disperse the demonstrators.

 Obelisk 

http://almasalah.com/ar/news/187027/تقرير-اليونامي-بشأن-أوضاع-العراق-استمرار-خسارة-أرواح-الشباب-أمر-لا-يحتمل

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The United Nations: The continuing loss of young lives in Iraq is intolerable

The United Nations: The continuing loss of young lives in Iraq is intolerable

 

Policy

2020-01-30 | 07:22

2,197 views

The United Nations mission, "UNAMI", today, Thursday, urged to break the political deadlock in Iraq, stressing that the continued loss of young lives and bloodshed is "unbearable", calling on the Iraqi authorities to protect the rights of peaceful demonstrators and to bring the perpetrators of the killings and unlawful attacks to justice.

In a statement issued today, from UNAMI Baghdad, and Alsumaria News received a copy of it, UNAMI said that "with the continuation of violence and the increase in casualties in the protests, the Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Iraq, Janine Henness-Blashart, urges increased efforts to achieve more to break Political stalemate and pressure forge ahead with major reforms, "warning that" the use of force costs a valuable life and the crisis will not end. "

The statement stressed, "The continued loss of young lives and the daily bloodshed is unbearable, expressing its regret" in the killing of at least 467 demonstrators and more than 9,000 wounded since October 1, "

adding that" the increased use of live ammunition by The security forces recently, shooting by unknown gunmen at the demonstrators and the continuing killing of protesters and human rights defenders is a matter of concern, "stressing that" the Iraqi authorities must protect the rights of peaceful protesters and ensure that all use of force is in compliance with international standards. "

She added, "It is equally important for the perpetrators to be fully accountable, to bring the perpetrators of the killings and unlawful attacks to justice," noting that "the climate of fear and mistrust will bring nothing but more harm."

She stressed that "political action and progress in the search for solutions must replace hesitation to deliver the many promises and intentions," noting that "building flexibility at the state and community levels is the only way to move forward to extract people from despair and renew hope."

She explained that "many have sacrificed everything in order to hear their voices, and solutions are urgently required," explaining that "Iraq cannot tolerate the ongoing violent oppression or political and economic paralysis."

She noted that "the Human Rights Office of the United Nations Assistance Mission in Iraq monitored the human rights situation in the context of the demonstrations," adding that "since the beginning of the protests in October, I issued three reports documenting human rights violations from 1 October Until 9 December with recommendations to the authorities. "

"Since January 17, the United Nations Assistance Mission in Iraq has recorded at least 19 protesters killed, as well as more than 400 wounded by security forces in Baghdad, Basra, Dhi Qar, Diyala and Diwaniya, Karbala," she added.

She showed that "the preliminary information is attributable to most deaths and injuries due to the use of live ammunition and the impact of tear gas canisters, while additional injuries occurred as a result of the security forces hitting the demonstrators with sticks," explaining that "most of the violence that the security forces use occurs in the context of attempts to liquidate roadblocks or disperse protesters." ".

In Baghdad, efforts by the security forces to liquidate the Muhammad Qasim highway and areas near Tahrir Square using live ammunition and tear gas resulted in 11 deaths and injuries, according to a UNAMI statement.

In Nasiriyah, on January 25 and 26, security forces fired live ammunition and tear gas, causing at least one death and wounding more than 100 protesters. Likewise, in Basra, in the early morning of January 25, security forces demolished more than 20 tents set up by protesters As part of sitting, the protesters were forced out of the area.

In Karbala, the statement says that the security forces also used violence against the demonstrators, which resulted in the deaths of at least 4 people and injured more than 150 others, and in Diyala, according to the statement, the use of live ammunition by the security forces resulted in one death and four injuries At least others.

The statement also says, there were instances of unidentified armed men shooting at the demonstrators .. This happened on four consecutive nights in Basra from January 21 to January 25, killing two protesters and wounding nine others.

In Nasiriyah, according to UNAMI, on the night of January 26 to 27, a group of armed men of an unclear affiliation fired at live ammunition at protesters in Habboubi Square, killing demonstrators and wounding four others, as well as shooting several Protesters' tents.

According to UNAMI, targeted killings against demonstrators and activists continue ... Since October 1, there have been at least 28 incidents in which people linked to the demonstrations have been targeted, while participants as journalists covering protests or prominent activists have been targeted by armed men or equipment. An improvised explosive device, which resulted in 18 deaths and at least 13 injuries.

UNAMI confirmed that the United Nations Mission continues to provide assistance and reports related to physical attacks on demonstrators, including stabbings, missing demonstrators and activists, threats of intimidation and intimidation.

All efforts should focus instead on how to fully implement the reforms and initiate a constructive dialogue to tackle the country's problems in a spirit of unity, said Special Representative Hennes-Blackshart.

She continued, it is time to restore confidence by setting the party aside and working for the benefit of the country and its people, stressing that hard work and goodwill movements will resonate with the people, they will be met in kind, and the country's steadfastness will be strengthened while it seeks to emerge stronger than this crisis.

https://www.alsumaria.tv/news/سياسة/333086/الامم-المتحدة-استمرار-خسارة-أرواح-الشباب-في-العراق

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30-01-2020 11:09 AM

Iyad Allawi is mediating to conduct meetings between demonstrators and international organizations to end violence against them

image.php?token=5ba0faee737547362eb1420323251689&c=3445348&size=
 


 

Baghdad / news

The head of the National Coalition, Iyad Allawi, confirmed that he will mediate meetings between demonstrators and international organizations to end violence against them.

Allawi said in a tweet on "Twitter", "The meetings that the demonstrators and civil activists had with the League of Arab States to transfer their injustice and the repression they were subjected to were very fruitful."

"I will continue my effort to facilitate similar meetings with international and human rights organizations until the violence against them stops and their just demands are met," he added.

 

http://www.ikhnews.com/index.php?page=article&id=208140

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30-01-2020 11:40 PM

The United Nations: the death toll is unbearable

image.php?token=0e37f9e51666e848e992859501f6525b&c=7496897&size=
 


 

Baghdad / news

The Special Representative of the Secretary-General of the United Nations in Iraq, Jenin Henness Blackshart, today, Thursday, commented on the UNAMI death toll from the protests in Iraq, indicating that it is "unbearable".

Blackshart urged in a statement, "to increase efforts to break the political deadlock, amid continued protests and violence," saying that "the continued loss of young lives in Iraq is intolerable," warning that "the use of force costs a precious life, and will not end the crisis," , "The continuing loss of young lives and the daily bloodshed is unbearable."

"I am sorry for the killing of at least 467 demonstrators and the wounding of more than 9,000 others since the beginning of October," Blaskhardt said.

Today, the United Nations Mission in Iraq announced the death toll from the ongoing demonstrations in the country since last October.

In a statement, UNAMI said that at least 467 people were killed and more than 9,000 injured in the popular demonstrations. As she pointed out, the recent increase in the use of live ammunition by the security forces, shooting by unidentified gunmen against the demonstrators and the continued deliberate killing of protesters and human rights defenders is cause for concern.

She stressed that the Iraqi authorities must protect the rights of peaceful protesters and ensure that every use of force is in line with international standards, and that perpetrators of unlawful killings and attacks are brought to justice

http://www.ikhnews.com/index.php?page=article&id=208183

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Iraq Needs an "Independent Gov." to Address People's Needs: US Embassy

 
 BasNews   01/02/2020 - 23:58  Published in Iraq
Iraq Needs an "Independent Gov." to Address People's Needs: US Embassy
 

ERBIL - The US embassy in Baghdad has argued that the current conditions in Iraq require an "independent and honest" government to meet the protesters’ demands, also commenting on the country's newly appointed premier.

"Current conditions in Iraq and the region require an independent and honest government committed to addressing the needs of the Iraqi people," reads a statement by the embassy.

Iraqi President Barham Salih earlier the day named Mohammed Allawi, who previously served as the Minister of Communications, as the new prime minister of the country, allowing him to form a new cabinet in a month.

"The nomination of Muhammad Tawfiq Allawi as a new Prime Minister must be followed up with efforts to accomplish that objective," the statement added.

However, the embassy reaffirmed its support for the future Iraqi government in hopes of fostering "conditions for Iraq’s stability, prosperity, and sovereignty."

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UN Envoy Welcomes Designation of New Iraqi PM

 
 BasNews   02/02/2020 - 00:14  Published in Iraq
UN Envoy Welcomes Designation of New Iraqi PM
 

ERBIL - The Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Iraq, Jeanine Hennis-Plasschaert, has welcomed the designation of the new Iraqi premier, Mohammed Allawi, calling for reforms to meet the people's demands.

"Iraq urgently needs to move forward. The prime minister-designate faces a monumental task: rapid Cabinet formation and parliamentary confirmation to press ahead with meaningful reforms addressing popular demands, delivering justice and accountability," she said in a statement.

"The road ahead remains fraught with difficulties. Progress will require that all actors support the work of the prime minister-designate in the service of the people of Iraq."

The UN envoy also noted that the commitments expressed by Allawi, in his televised message to the demonstrators on Saturday evening, would address a range of demands of the "peaceful protesters".

However, she reminded: "While this is surely a welcome and encouraging sign, the Iraqi people will ultimately judge their leadership on results and accomplishments."

The United Nations additionally repeated its call on all sides to "raise above partisanship" and place the national interest first, arguing that the time has come to start acting.

"Ms. Hennis-Plasschaert urges to spare no effort in drawing Iraq out of its crisis. The United Nations will continue to support the Iraqi people and their government to build a more peaceful, just and prosperous Iraq."

Iraqi President Barham Salih earlier the day announced that he had appointed Mohammed Allawi as the new premier for Iraq, weeks after Adil Abdul Mahdi resigned from the country's premiership in efforts to address the demonstrators' demands.

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Iraqi Protesters Reject New PM-Designate

 
 Basnews English 02/02/2020 - 14:26 Published in Iraq
Iraqi Protesters Reject New PM-Designate
 

ERBIL — Iraqi protesters across the southern provinces on Sunday took back to the streets and rejected the president’s nomination of Mohammad Allawi as the next prime minister of Iraq.

Allawi, Iraq’s former communication minister, announced his own nomination on Saturday, promising a “technocrat” cabinet that will work to meet the demands of the protesters.

"Mohammad Allawi is rejected, by the order of the people,” reads a placard erected by protesters in Najaf on Sunday.

AFP said angry protesters set fire to tires overnight and blocked main roads in Najaf soon after the announcement, making it clear that the nomination of Allawi is not accepted.

The cities of Kut, Diwaniyah, and Hillah saw similar protest actions, with rallies held and tires burnt to send an anti-Allawi message.

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PROTESTS CONTINUE IN SOUTHERN PROVINCES FOLLOWING ANNOUNCEMENT OF ALLAWI AS PM-DESIGNATE

Blocking roads in Nasiriyah, Najaf
Demonstrators in Nasiriyah February 2, 2020 (NRT Digital Media)

2 Hours ago 

http://www.nrttv.com/En/News.aspx?id=19414&MapID=2

 

SULAIMANI — Protests continued in Iraq’s southern provinces on Sunday (February 2), a day after Mohamed Tawfiq Allawi was appointed as prime minister-designate, with demonstrators cutting roads in Dhi Qar and Najaf.

In al-Haboubi Square and several other strategic locations in Nasiriyah, protesters reiterated their rejection of Allawi, saying that he did not meet the qualifications that they had laid out for a replacement to Adil Abdul Mahdi. Protesters have objected to the fact that Allawi has previously served as communications minister, arguing that this makes him a part of the establishment that they hope to sweep away.

In Najaf, protesters also blocked a number of roads and bridges across the city, waving Iraqi flags and chanting slogans against Allawi’s appointment.

Continued protests were also reported in Basra, Karbala, Diwaniyah, and Babil.

Protests also continued in Baghdad, but the dynamic had shifted somewhat.

On Saturday evening, Sadrist militiamen pushed the unaligned anti-government protesters out of the Turkish Restaurant building overlooking Tahrir Square that they had occupied since mid-October.

The building been at the epicenter of the ongoing demonstrations and was often used as a platform for the protesters to make announcements, either by broadcasting messages over a loudspeaker or by hanging banners from the building.

The followers of Shia cleric and political leader Moqtada al-Sadr wrested control of the symbolic site just before Allawi was announced as prime minister-designate. The unaligned protesters in the square said that any announcements from the Turkish Restaurant no longer represented them, potentially shifting the center of gravity of the protests into the southern provinces.

 

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Sunday، 02 February 2020 01:31 PM

Iraqi Blocs Select New PM-Designate, Protesters Reject Him

https://www.thebaghdadpost.com/en/Story/45851/Iraqi-Blocs-Select-New-PM-Designate-Protesters-Reject-Him

image.png.f0d90ef689b5bc2f96884ce72ab2a43d.png

 

Former communications minister Mohammed Allawi was named prime minister-designate by rival Iraqi factions Saturday after weeks of political deadlock, three officials said.

The choice comes as the country weathers troubled times including ongoing anti-government protests and the constant threat of being ensnared by festering US-Iran tensions.

The selection of Allawi, 66, to replace outgoing Prime Minister Adel Abdul Mahdi was the product of many back-room talks over months between rival parties, Asharq Al-Awsat reported.

On Wednesday, President Barham Salih gave parliamentary blocs until Feb. 1 to select a premier candidate, or said he would exercise his constitutional powers and choose one himself.

In a pre-recorded statement posted online, Allawi called on protesters to continue with their uprising against corruption and said he would quit if the blocs insist on imposing names of ministers.

"If it wasn’t for your sacrifices and courage there wouldn’t have been any change in the country," he said addressing anti-government protesters. "I have faith in you and ask you to continue with the protests."

Allawi was quoted by state TV as saying he would resign if political blocs sought to impose candidates for different ministries.

‘Rejected’

Soon after the president’s announcement, protesters gathered in Baghdad and southern cities expressed opposition to Allawi’s appointment in videos posted on social media.

“Allawi is rejected,” they chanted in one video that was filmed at Baghdad’s Tahrir Square, the center of the uprising in the Iraqi capital.

For the demonstrators, Allawi, the former minister under ex-premier Nouri al-Maliki — who presided over the fall of multiple Iraqi cities to ISIS in 2014 and is accused of pro-Shiite sectarian policies — is part of the ruling elite and therefore unacceptable.

Hours before Allawi’s appointment, supporters of populist cleric Moqtada al-Sadr attacked protesters in Tahrir square.

Sadr called on Friday for a mass protest in Baghdad and for sit-ins near the fortified Green Zone to protest the delayed formation of a government, without specifying when the gatherings should take place.

Sadr later supported Allawi’s appointment, saying he had been “chosen by the people” and that this was a “good step” for Iraq. The Dawa party, meanwhile, rejected Allawi’s premiership, saying in a statement that any candidate being decided at this stage was unlikely to have unanimous support.

Uphill struggle

With a rejection from at least one party and by protesters, Allawi faces an uphill struggle in forming a fully independent cabinet.

The two most powerful blocs in parliament, led by Sadr and a group of Iran-backed and paramilitary-linked parties, respectively, will insist on securing key ministerial posts for their own candidates, likely causing many more months of political deadlock.

Allawi was born in Baghdad and served as communications minister first in 2006 and again between 2010-2012. He resigned from his post after a dispute with Maliki.

Parliament is expected to put his candidacy to a vote in the next session, after which point he has 30 days to formulate a government program and select a cabinet of ministers.

According to the constitution, a replacement for Abdul Mahdi should have been identified 15 days after his resignation in early December. Instead, it has taken rival blocs nearly two months of jockeying to select Allawi as their consensus candidate.

Abdul Mahdi´s rise to power was the product of a provisional alliance between parliament´s two main blocs - Sairoon, led by Sadr, and Fatah, which includes leaders associated with the Popular Mobilization Forces headed by Hadi al-Ameri.

In the May 2018 election, neither coalition won a commanding plurality, which would have enabled it to name the premier, as stipulated by the Iraqi constitution. To avoid political crisis, Sairoon and Fatah forged a precarious union with Abdul Mahdi as their prime minister.

Until Allawi's selection, Sadr had rejected the candidates put forward largely by Fatah, officials and analysts said. Sairoon appears to have agreed to his candidacy following tumultuous two weeks after the cleric held an anti-US rally attended by tens of thousands and withdrew support for Iraq's mass anti-government protest movement, only to reverse the decision later.

"Sairoon has approved and Fatah has approved," a senior Iraqi official said.

If elected by parliament, Allawi will have to contend with navigating Iraq through brewing regional tensions between Tehran and Washington. Tensions skyrocketed after a US drone strike near Baghdad's airport killed top Iranian general Qassem Soleimani and deputy PMF chief Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis. The tumultuous event brought Iraq close to the brink of war and officials scrambling to contain the fallout.

The presence of US troops on Iraqi soil has become the focus of Iraqi politics in the wake of the strike. Parliament passed a non-binding resolution for their ouster and Abdul-Mahdi had openly supported withdrawal.

Abdul Mahdi's resignation was precipitated by ongoing mass protests in Baghdad and southern Iraq. Protesters are calling for new executive leadership, snap elections and electoral reforms. They have said they would not accept a candidate chosen by the political establishment.

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141906.jpg?width=750&&height=375

 
02/20/2020 10:36
  • Views 54
  • Section: Iraq
  •  

The death toll from the demonstrations since its inception: 536 martyrs and 23 thousand wound

Baghdad / Obelisk: The Commission for Human Rights revealed, on Monday 3 February 2020, new figures about the number of victims of protests in the country, noting that the figures issued by it about the number of victims in the ranks of the demonstrators are correct and not astronomical.

A member of the commission, Ali Al-Bayati, said in a statement received by Al-Masalla that the commission's numbers were correct and not astronomical, as they were accused by some.

Al-Bayati said that what was published yesterday was a comment by us on what was published on the Iraqi News Agency website, where I published statistics on the number of victims of the demonstrations and on official sources.

He added that the UNHCR figures from October 1, 2019 to January 30, 2020 amounted to:

The number of martyrs: 536, "including 17 security affiliates."

Number of injured: 23545 "3519 security associates".

Number of detainees: 2713 “only 328 are in detention”.

Number of kidnapped: 72 "22 were released."

Number of assassinations: 49 "22 deaths, 13 injuries and 14 failed."

Total damage: 418 public and private.

Obelisk 

http://almasalah.com/ar/news/187254/حصيلة-ضحايا-التظاهرات-منذ-انطلاقتها-536-شهيدا-و23-ألف-جريح

 
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Iraqi demonstrators lift up a man who was killed during anti-government protests in Baghdad, Iraq, January 21, 2020 (photo credit: REUTERS/KHALID AL-MOUSILY/FILE PHOTO)

 

Iranian-backed militias may have killed 500 protesters in Iraq

As many as 550 protesters have been killed in Iraq since protesters began in October.

By SETH J. FRANTZMAN   

FEBRUARY 3, 2020 13:39

   

Iraqi demonstrators lift up a man who was killed during anti-government protests in Baghdad, Iraq, January 21, 2020

 

 As many as 550 protesters have been killed in Iraq since protests began in October, the Iraqi Commission for Human Rights revealed on Monday. Overall figures are likely higher, because the data only begins on October 30 and many protesters were killed in October. The report reveals that 22 people have been murdered in assassinations. Many of these killings were carried out by Iranian-backed militias, operating with impunity against the protesters.Since October Iraq has tried to blame a “third party” for killing protesters. But many protesters have clashed with elements of the Popular Mobilization Units (PMU) which are a group of mostly Shi’ite militias, many linked to Iran and the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps. The US has accused Qais Khazali of Asaib Ahl Al-Haq of being one of those behind suppressing protests. Other groups within the PMU such as Kataib Hezbollah, Saraya al-Khorasani and Hadi al-Amiri’s Badr have also been involved. Protesters have targeted the offices of these militias.The militias gained strength after 2014 when many young men joined to fight ISIS. But after the war on ISIS largely ended in 2017, the PMU used its forces to punish the Kurdistan region for an independence referendum, taking over Kirkuk. They also took over rural areas around Sunni cities, setting up checkpoints. They have been accused of numerous abuses, as well as operating secret prisons and trafficking weapons to Syria and Hezbollah in Lebanon via their own storehouses.Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis, then the leader of Kataib Hezbollah, established offices in Syria and bases, and Qais Khazali went to Lebanon to threaten Israel in 2017. The US killed Muhandis on January 3 alongside IRGC commander Qasem Soleimani.The PMU have played a key role suppressing protesters, often using snipers and plain-clothed men with guns. Protesters have shown videos of these attacks. In recent weeks, Iraqi political leader Muqtada al-Sadr has begun working with the PMU and Badr to arrange anti-US protests. None of the protesters linked to Sadr or Badr were killed on December 31 or January 23 in mass rallies, showing that it is only the other protesters, many of them critical of Iran, who are targeted. This means that Iranian-backed militias are likely behind hundreds of deaths in Iraq. Sadr has now called for an end to the protests, which could lead to a new crackdown.

https://www.jpost.com/Middle-East/Iranian-backed-militias-may-have-killed-500-protesters-in-Iraq-616327

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Allawi discusses with Blackshart the implementation of the demands of the demonstrators and the formation of the prospective government

17:54 - 02/03/2020

https://www.almaalomah.com/2020/02/03/453727/

 

  image.png.4b7f7d4b42db04d1f3e5c753abe2cbeb.png

The information / Baghdad ..

Prime Minister-designate Muhammad Tawfiq Allawi discussed, on Monday, with the representative of the United Nations Secretary-General in Iraq , Jenin Blaskhart, the implementation of the demands of the demonstrators and the efforts to form the new government

The Prime Minister’s Office said, in a statement, which received (information / copies) of it, that “The Prime Minister-designate Muhammad Tawfiq Allawi received the representative of the Secretary-General of the United Nations in Iraq, Jenin Blaskhart.”

Blackshart, according to the statement, offered congratulations to Allawi on his assignment to the task of forming the new cabinet, and pledged to provide the UN mission with full support for the prospective government, to serve the future of Iraq and the aspirations of all its citizens.

For his part, Allawi stressed his "keenness to implement the demands of the demonstrators and the formation of a government of competencies capable of managing the country in this sensitive circumstance and preparing for fair elections that meet the aspirations of all Iraqis."

And last Saturday, Muhammad Tawfiq Allawi, the former communications minister, announced his nomination as head of the new government, hours before the deadline.

Allawi pledged to form a government of technocratic ministers independent of parties, to protect protests, and to make reforms, including fighting corruption, leading to early parliamentary elections. 25 h has ended

Edited by 6ly410
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