Iraq: Teachers’ union plans protest in Baghdad November 27 /update 68

Event

A teachers' union has called for a protest in Baghdad on Wednesday, November 27. Participants plan to gather at 15:00 (local time). Organizers did not immediately announce a meeting location, however, local sources anticipate that protesters will gather at Tahrir Square.

Protests are ongoing in Basra province as of 09:00 on Wednesday, affecting Shaibah, Zubayr, Umm Qasr, and nearby oilfields and ports. Demonstrators have erected road blocks leading to Basra city. Unidentified individuals used a low-yield IED to target a police captain in Basra city on Wednesday morning, although the blast did not result in any casualties according to local sources.

Security forces killed one protester and wounded a further 43 during protests in Baghdad's Rusafa district on Tuesday, November 26. In Karbala, riot police also injured 45 demonstrators in Al-Tarbiyah Square on Tuesday. Demonstrators set fire to the upper floor of the Islamic Bank of Elaf and used burning tires to block the main roads in the Ramadan and Al-Jaber areas of Karbala.

Heightened security measures and disruptions to transportation and businesses are to be expected in Baghdad, Basra province, and other major urban centers over the coming days as protests continue. Disruptions to internet and telecommunications services are also expected to continue amid the unrest. Clashes between protesters and security forces are likely near all protest sites.

Context

Demonstrations broke out in Iraq on October 1 to protest perceived government corruption, inadequate provision of public services, and a lack of job opportunities. Following weeks of relative calm, demonstrations violently resumed on October 24-25, coinciding with the deadline issued by Grand Ayatollah Sistani to the government to produce a report on who in the Iraqi Security Forces (ISF) was responsible for firing at civilians during previous demonstrations. An estimated 340 people have been killed and 15,000 wounded since protests began.

Advice

Individuals in Iraq are advised to closely monitor the situation, avoid all protests and large public gatherings due to potential violence, prepare for disruptions to transportation and business in areas affected by anti-government demonstrations, and adhere to all instructions issued by the local authorities and their home governments.

The security environment in Iraq remains complex. Although travel is possible in some areas with proper security protocols in place, other areas should be considered strictly off-limits. Professional security advice and support should be sought prior to all travel.