Current occasions within the Center East and, particularly, the continuing violent suppression by the Qadhafi regime of the revolt in Libya, have attracted most of latest media consideration, whereas the brewing turmoil in Iraq seems to have remained beneath the radar. However a giant shock could also be within the offing.
All through February, there have nearly been each day demonstrations in lots of Iraqi cities, principally nonviolent, apart from the demonstrations in the previous couple of days within the metropolis of Suleimaniya within the province of Kurdistan through which two have died and 124 have been injured. All of the as-yet-local demonstrations had been in opposition to the widespread corruption in any respect ranges of presidency and the safety forces; excessive unemployment; rising costs of meals provides; and poor public providers, notably the extreme scarcity of electrical energy and insufficient provide of potable water.
Corruption in Iraq has turn into legendary Jumu’ah. Every week in the past, the Integrity Fee introduced that it was suing tons of of presidency staff for embezzlement of $30 billion. Shortly thereafter, the Iraqi Parliament appointed two particular committees to analyze the “disappearance” of $41 billion from the Iraqi Growth Fund. It’s doable that parts of the 2 figures overlap, however the order of magnitude of the corruption is stirring the Iraqi road, which is clamoring for change.
Marching on Baghdad – One Million Marchers
In “Proclamation No. 1,” issued February 20, organizers referring to themselves as “the Youth of February 25” however remaining unnamed are calling for a one-million-marcher demonstration, deliberate for Friday, February 25 (the day of rage). The date chosen by the youth motion might must do with the “January 25 Revolution” in Egypt. The concept of Proclamation No. 1 can be vital. Within the lengthy turbulent historical past of the Center East, “Proclamation No. 1” often indicators the launch of a coup by the army; it was additionally the device utilized by the Egyptian Excessive Command to announce their takeover the federal government of Egypt upon the resignation of President Hosni Mubarak.
The February 20 Proclamation No. 1 calls on the Iraqi inhabitants to assist the rebellion [intifada] of the youth for a brighter future for the Iraqis, and for bringing to trial those that stole the nation’s wealth. The proclamation insists that Iraq will turn into “neither a Taliban state nor wilayat al-faqih [the “rule of the jurisprudent – a reference to the clerical regime in Iran.] Most notable is the enchantment to the safety forces to not direct their weapons in opposition to “your sons and brothers. Defend them and assist them. They’re your future.” The organizers mentioned that each one the banners carried by the demonstrators shall be in assist of an unbiased and unified Iraq and shall be devoid of sectarianism.