Iraq: "The demonstrations are distinguished by their spontaneity"

Iraq is burning. Forty people have died in the country since October 1, beginning of the protests against the government of Adel Abdel-Mahdi named a year ago. Protests across several major cities, including the capital Baghdad, have been dispersed by security forces using live ammunition, tear gas and water cannons. There are also more than 600 wounded, according to the authorities cited by Reuters.

While demonstrations of this magnitude are not uncommon in Iraq - a major mobilization took place in the city of Basra in 2018 - this movement remains so far unpublished in the country, because of its spontaneous nature. No party or political or religious leader has declared himself at his origin. But what are the reasons for anger that seems to be taking root day by day? Decryption with Karim Pakzad, researcher at the Institute of International and Strategic Relations (Iris), specialist in the region, interviewed by France 24.

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France 24 : Why the protesters go down on the street since Tuesday ?

Iraq has been ravaged by three plagues since the US invasion of the country in 2003. There is an explosion of unemployment. One in four young people is now unemployed. They are the ones who make up the majority of the protesters today. Another observation, successive wars that have crossed the country have destroyed the streets, transport, power generation and water treatment centers. The entire public service is failing. As a reminder, since 2003, Iraq is not able to produce and supply electricity for the whole country. He buys part of his electricity consumption in Iran. Finally, the protesters call for an end to the corruption of the elites.

How does this corruption translate ?

It is endemic to the country. It should be known that the war against the Islamic State group until 2017 was not only led by the Iraqi army, it was supported by various Shiite militias. These militias now need funding. This whole war structure has dominated Iraq for years and is generating corruption.

The first step taken by the Americans upon their arrival on the territory was to dissolve the Iraqi army. Then, when oil revenues began to return, the government invested the majority of this money in the reformation of the army, not in the reconstruction of cities and public services for the population.

The country has always been marked by waves of more or less serious violence against power. How is this event different from others ?

Some events have indeed marked the country, as in the summer of 2018. These mobilizations were more important in terms of numbers, but less violent. Because there was a coalition of political parties and civil society organizations behind these processions.

Today, there is no party behind. The demonstrations stand out for their spontaneous nature. They can therefore potentially be more dangerous. One could draw a parallel with France: in Paris, large demonstrations led by trade unions or associations take place in peace. While on the other hand, we have seen significant overflows during rallies organized from social networks by yellow vests. In Iraq, individuals have even entered the Green Zone [the enclave of the highest Iraqi institutions in Baghdad, Ed]. One way to prevent these mobilizations from growing is then to cut the Internet, which is happening today on 75% of the territory.

Does this anger worry the power ?

The government seems to take this challenge seriously. Prime Minister Adel Abdel-Mahdi tried to extinguish the fire by promising to respond to the protesters' social demands, even though he admitted he had no "magic solution" to the demands of the movement.

Finally, the anger of the street enjoys significant support: that of the highest Shiite dignitary in the country, the great Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani, for whom the government has not responded to the legitimate demands of the people.

Can we see the beginning of an "Iraqi spring" ?

We can not speak of an "Iraqi spring" because the challenge does not target the government. There is no political claim. Remember in 2011 in Tunisia, the slogan addressed to Ben Ali in the processions was "Dégage!". Tunisians wanted to overthrow the regime. There is no question of that today in Iraq. In addition, most protesters are from the Shia community, as is the government. It is a grassroots movement led by a youth deeply concerned for its future.