Changing the name of a street in Baghdad to Abu Mahdi Al-Muhandis Street, the deputy head of the Iraqi Popular Mobilization Forces, who was assassinated in early 2020 with the commander of the Iranian Quds Force, Qassem Soleimani, in an American raid near Baghdad Airport, without obtaining the government's approval, sparked widespread controversy in the Iraqi street, while official authorities did not comment on Event yet.
Iraqis circulated on social media pictures showing banners placed on both sides of Baghdad International Airport Street confirming the change of his name, in conjunction with the first anniversary of the assassination of the engineer and Soleimani in the same street near the external fence of Baghdad Airport.
To Baghdad International Airport ...
Martyr Commander Abu Mahdi Al-Muhandis Street
... pic.twitter.com/6pp7eN4AA2
- Almosawi Ahmed Al Thani (@Almuhandis_Son) December 30, 2020
Iraqis have varied reactions on social media platforms regarding changing the street name.
Blogger Ali Adel wrote, "I don’t know if it is an official change from the government or from the factions."
Placing signs on the Baghdad airport road indicating the name (Abu Mahdi Al-Muhandis Street) instead of Airport Street ... I don’t know if it is an official change by the government or by the militias!
pic.twitter.com/5uXBapiDrA
- 𝑨𝒍𝒊 𝑨𝒅𝒊𝒍 (@ aliadil80) December 30, 2020
"Without the government's approval, Hashd supporters change the name of the Baghdad Airport Street, and the wali of Bayh was supplied with me, but he just thinks about it," said Hassan Al-Fatlawi, defiant.
Changing the name of Baghdad Airport Street to "Martyr Abu Mahdi Al-Muhandis Street"
They attacked the largest mustache in the government and parties, and those greenhouses and Sarabet October
And without government approval ... Hashd supporters change the name of Baghdad Airport Street
Wali Bay was provided with me, but he thinks just thinking that will be evoked by the days of martyrdom and sovereignty
- Hassan Al-Fatlawi (@ hassannatk94) December 30, 2020
The Popular Mobilization Forces and its supporters are preparing to gather in the same street, on the eve of the anniversary of the assassination of Muhandis and Soleimani on January 3, in an attempt to escalate against the American presence in Iraq.
The same day was also set as the date for mass demonstrations in Tahrir Square (central Baghdad).
♦ ️ # Statement # Media Directorate in the Authority # Popular Mobilization Forces announces the launch of the activities of the special days of martyrdom and sovereignty on the occasion of the first anniversary of the martyrdom of the leaders of victory
🔺 #Complete statement ⬇️ pic.twitter.com/BIJeRkrz7T
- Media Directorate - Popular Mobilization Authority (@teamsmediawar) December 29, 2020
This comes in conjunction with the escalation of tension between the Iraqi Prime Minister Mustafa Al-Kazemi and some of the crowd factions loyal to Iran, since last week's attack on the vicinity of the US embassy in Iraq.