Tired from corrupt politicians and a bad livelihood as well as Iran’s guided militias and their terror operations, Iraqi people took to the streets again. On the first anniversary of the October 2019 protests, Iraqi demonstrators heat up the protests called the “October Revolution.” Various cities are witnessing anti-establishment rallies demanding an account of the corrupt and murderers of the demonstrators.
In the cities of Kut, Hilla, and Nasiriyah, slogans were chanted calling for the trial of those who killed more than 600 people. The scene in the southern city of Basra was more violent. The skirmish between the two sides lasted for several hours.
Following the security forces’ attacks against protesters and burning their tents in various Iraqi cities, youths returned to al-Tahrir Square in Baghdad, chanting slogans against Tehran and its militias.
They reaffirmed their determination to fan the flames of the uprising. Demonstrations by Iraqi youth resumed in addition to al-Tahrir Square and other cities in the south and center of the country, including Basra, Nasiriyah, Amara, Kut, Najaf, Karbala, Muthanna, Diwaniyah, and Hilla, and continued with slogans against Iranian-affiliated parties and militias.
The Escalation of Developments in Iraq to the Detriment of Iran’s Government
The demonstrations in Nasiriyah were more powerful than ever. Most of the clashes and fighting were in Basra. Security forces cordoned off the protest square in Basra and police forces blocked the way of the protesters. But the youth continued their demonstrations until late at night.
According to social media reports, about 50 demonstrators were arrested in Basra. It is said that police forces used live ammunition to disperse rallies, leaving several wounded among demonstrators.
In Basra, clashes between youths and government forces and Iran’s controlled militias continued into the night. Iraqi protesters in Nasiriyah, Najaf, Wasit, and Muthanna condemned the crackdown on demonstrators in Basra and al-Tahrir Square and warned of the consequences of continuing attacks on protesting squares.
“We will not retreat, and we will not move from our places, until our legitimate demands are met, and we will not give in to any attempt to break up the sit-in by force,” protesters chanted. “Attacking the demonstrators and the protest squares makes us just more determined.”
Assassination of a Sheikh in Al-Amara and a Christian Lawyer by Iran’s Militias
In Al-Amara, militants assassinated Sheikh Abdul Nasser al-Tarfi, a supporter of the protesting people. Previously, in a clip al-Tarfi was posted on social media, sending a message against Qassem Soleimani, Iran’s eliminated Revolutionary Guards (IRGC) Quds Force commander. Iran’s militias also stormed the office of a Christian lawyer and assassinated him. He was injured.
“The evil Iranian regime must be told that it has no place in Iraq. The next step is to end the corrupt system and form an interim independent national government,” protesters posted on their Facebook page.
The Assassination of Two Iraqi Activists by Iran-Backed Terror Squads
Al-Tahrir Square in Baghdad witnessed demonstrations demanding their fulfillment of three main demands: the prosecution of the perpetrators of the protesters’ assassination, the transformation of the Iraqi government into a presidential system, and the dissolution of Parliament.
At 7 pm on November 3, security forces called on the demonstrators to disperse as the demonstration permit expired. Security forces also made the upcoming demonstrations in al-Tahrir Square conditional on obtaining permission from the Interior Ministry.
