Iraq: on Tahrir Square, a divided dispute

Smoke rises from burning tents during the Iraqi security forces raid on Tahrir Square during the ongoing anti-government protests in Baghdad, Iraq, January 25, 2020. REUTERS / Thaier al-Sudani

Text by: RFI Follow

In Iraq, the dispute is now divided into two distinct groups. On the one hand, the Sadrists, the supporters of Moqtada al-Sadr, on the other the anti-power demonstrators. After withdrawing from the dispute, the Sadrists finally took to the streets on the day of the appointment of the new Prime Minister. The demonstrators accuse them of wanting to accept this new head of state in the ranks of the protest. Even if it means threatening or attacking them.

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From our correspondent in Baghdad, Lucile Wassermann

In Tahrir Square in Baghdad, dozens of Iraqis are now wearing blue caps. The distinctive sign of the members of the sadist militia Saraya al-Salam. A few days ago, these men dislodged the protesters from the huge building near Tahrir Square, one of the symbols of protest.

Abu Ahmed, in his forties, was one of them. Installed on one of the edges of the building, it explains the reasons for this operation. “ This place was occupied by infiltrators, saboteurs, who encourage the people to commit violence. This is why the path of revolution has been diverted. "

But for the anti-power protesters, these sadrists mainly stormed this building to make the new Prime Minister accept and intimidate the demonstrators. Few of them dare to denounce their presence today, for fear of reprisals. Ghassan Saber invites us into his tent at Tahrir Square, out of sight, and he tells us. “ They use their power, their weapons, their sticks, their knives. All those who speak out against Moqtada al-Sadr or against the Sadrists, they will strike them . "

Attacks that even pushed some of his friends to leave the dispute. " They are planning to leave Iraq, " he explains. Because they are afraid of Sadr and his men. Several of them fear today a final assault by the Sadrists, to quell the movement.

► Read also: Iraq: security forces shoot demonstrators with pellet guns

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