Thousands of Iraqis defy puppet regime, occupation

Defying threats from the puppet government and several party militias, thousands of Iraqis from Basra in the south to Suleimaniya in the Kurdish north took to the streets Feb. 25 in a “Great Day of Anger” inspired by the uprisings across the Arab world.

The specific demands of the protesters were for electricity and against poverty and corruption. The continued occupation of Iraq by 50,000 U.S. troops and tens of thousands of mercenaries known as “contractors,” however, gives any Iraqi protest a sharply political content. A chronicle of the day’s actions by Iraqi human rights activist Asma al-Haidari offers the following characterization of the protest:

“The Iraqi People are demonstrating against corruption, absolute and abysmal poverty, unemployment, total lack of services, and occupation, and very importantly corruption, administrative and fiscal corruption. They are also demonstrating demanding freedom and human dignity and the immediate expulsion of the occupation. They are demonstrating for Iraq and have come together as Iraqis.” (www.iraqsolidaridad.org, Feb. 25)

Government forces attacked protesters in Fallujah, Hawija, Baghdad, Mosul and other cities, with the media reporting that at least 10 people were killed. In some towns, in response to the regime’s attacks, demonstrators tried to storm government buildings, according to Reuters reports on Feb. 25 and 26.

In the days before the demonstrations, the government continually warned people not to take part in the actions, making a barely veiled threat of massacres. Military vehicles and security forces lined the streets around Liberation Square in Baghdad, and a curfew was in effect. Not only Premier Nuri al-Maliki but significant representatives of the Shiite community, like Moktada al-Sadr and Grand Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani, spoke out against participation in the protests.

Still, thousands gathered in the square. One person had a sign that read, “Where’s my share of the oil profits?”

It is significant that on the day following the demonstrations, Al-Sistani called on Iraq’s government and parliament to take serious steps to improve electricity services, provide jobs and fight corruption, a strong sign that the demonstrations frightened those in power.

Failure of the occupation

It was nearly eight years ago that the U.S., with British support, carried out a “shock and awe” attack on Iraq. The Pentagon’s forces managed to quickly defeat the Iraqi army, and George W. Bush even declared “mission accomplished” six weeks after the invasion began. According to U.S. promises, there would soon be a vibrant, stable, economically sound Iraqi democracy.

Instead, eight years of U.S. occupation have brought up to 1 million deaths and as many injuries to Iraqis, have displaced 4 million people inside and outside the country, and have divided a formerly united Iraq into Kurds in the north versus Arabs in the south, Sunni Muslims versus Shiite Muslims.

The occupation and its puppets have not even managed to turn reliable electricity back on in one of the most energy-rich countries in the world.

These days when mass popular revolutions have made the world aware of the brutality of Arab rulers, almost all backed by the U.S., it is wise to remember that an imperialist occupation is the worst scenario for the people.