Iraq protests: Baghdad roads blocked by thousands of activists as pressure grows on government

Barbed wire and burning tyres deployed as protesters continue to come out in force in capital

Iraqi protesters blocked roads in Baghdad on Sunday to raise pressure on the government to resign after more than a week of renewed mass demonstrations.

Protesters blocked one road with burning tyres and barbed wire, and held up a banner reading “Roads closed by order of the people.”

They appeared to be borrowing a tactic from Lebanon, where similar anti-government demonstrations have been underway since 17 October, and where protesters have repeatedly blocked major roads.

Tens of thousands of protesters have gathered in Baghdad’s central Tahrir Square and across southern Iraq in recent days, calling for the overhaul of the political system established after the 2003 US-led invasion.

Protesters have also taken over a large tower in the square that was abandoned after it was damaged in the war.

Thousands of students have skipped classes to take part in the protests, blaming the political elite for widespread corruption, high unemployment and poor public services.

Security forces have fired tear gas, rubber bullets and live ammunition at the protesters, killing more than 250 in two waves of demonstrations since early October.

Since the protests restarted on 25 October after a brief hiatus, there have been near-continuous clashes on two bridges leading to the heavily-fortified Green Zone, the headquarters of the government and home to several foreign embassies.

The Iraqi High Commission for Human Rights said Siba al-Mahdawi, an activist and physician who has taken part in the protests, was abducted on Saturday night by an unknown group.

The semi-official body called on the government and the security forces to reveal her whereabouts. Ms Al-Mahdawi was one of several doctors who have volunteered to provide medical aid to the protesters.

Prime minister Adel Abdul-Mahdi met with top security officials late on Saturday, stressing the need to preserve peace, security and the safety of the protesters.

Last week, president Barham Salih said Mr Abdul-Mahdi is willing to resign once political leaders agree on a replacement.

He also called for a new election law and said he would approve early elections once it is enacted, but that process could take weeks or even months.

The protests have only grown since his announcement.

On Sunday, a 24-year-old veterinary student attended the demonstrations in Baghdad carrying a cat, with a sign around its neck reading “I am coming to demand my rights.”

The student, who did not give her name for fear of repercussions, joked she was willing to treat the country’s politicians for free.

Iraq is governed by a sectarian political system that distributes power and high offices among the Shia majority, Sunnis and Kurds.

It holds regular elections, but they are dominated by sectarian religious parties, many of which have close ties to Iran.

The political parties bicker over ministries and then hand out jobs to their supporters, contributing to a bloated public sector that is unable to provide reliable public services.

More than 15 years after the US-led invasion that overthrew Saddam Hussein, Baghdad and other cities still see frequent power cuts, the tap water is undrinkable and public infrastructure is crumbling.

Few Iraqis have seen any benefit from the country’s oil wealth, despite it being an OPEC member with the fourth largest proven reserves in the world.

Associated Press