[Published here on December 15, 2019]
Baghdad (AFP) – At 16, Maram is as old as the political system she and fellow Iraqi youth are railing against. But the spunky teen has her own way of protesting: inking tattoos.
protests
Iraqi families fear worst after protesters abducted | AFP
[Published here December 11, 2019]
Baghdad (AFP) – “Last seen: Friday, 9:18pm.” About an hour after gunmen began attacking a protest encampment in Iraq’s capital at the weekend, Mustafa — who had slept there for weeks — went offline.
In the days since, the 20-year-old demonstrator has not reappeared on messaging application WhatsApp, or in real life.
As Iraqis protest against state, tribes make a comeback | AFP
[Published here with my colleague Sarah Benhaida December 10, 2019]
Iraqi protesters have clashed with police and torched government offices, a premier has resigned and precious blood spilt. As modern institutions collapse, an old force is making a comeback: its tribes.
Iraq protests shake up government, but not oil that funds it | AFP
[Published here on December 2, 2019]
Baghdad (AFP) – Iraq has been rocked by two months of anti-government protests that brought down premier Adel Abdel Mahdi on Sunday, but its lucrative oil industry has been curiously insulated from the turmoil.
Iraqis shatter taboos in rage at Iran, but bloodshed may follow | AFP
[Published here November 29, 2019]
Baghdad (AFP) – By torching Tehran’s consulates and slapping their muddy shoes against photographs of top Iranian officials, Iraqi protesters have shattered a taboo on public criticism of their influential eastern neighbour.
Washington silent as US-crafted regime under fire in Iraq | AFP
[Published here November 18, 2019]
Baghdad (AFP) – It posted tens of thousands of troops in Iraq, huddled with its leaders and helped craft its laws — but with the country swamped by deadly protests, Washington is staying out of the fray.
In Iraq protests, counting the dead is a dangerous job | AFP
[Published here on October 31, 2019]
Baghdad (AFP) – One protester killed. Then five. Suddenly, more than 40. As Iraq’s anti-government demonstrations turned bloody, a network of rights defenders and medics began documenting deaths to fill a gag order on casualty numbers.
Iraq PM’s fate on the line as toll from protests rises | AFP
[Published here on October 30, 2019]
Baghdad (AFP) – Iraq’s leaders were in tense talks on Wednesday over the ouster of the country’s embattled premier, as a rights commission said the latest week of anti-government demonstrations has left 100 dead.
Innovative Iraqis dodge net blackout to illuminate protest violence | AFP
[Published here on October 5, 2019]
Baghdad (AFP) – With secret satellites, pricey messages abroad and clandestine file transfers, young Iraqis are circumventing an internet blackout aimed at stifling several days of bloody protests in the capital and beyond.
UN says ‘this must stop’ after Iraqi protest violence kills nearly 100 | AFP
[Published here on October 5, 2019]
Baghdad (AFP) – The United Nations urged Saturday an end to violence in Iraq, after five days of anti-government rallies marred by the killing of nearly 100 people, mainly protesters.
MAYA GEBEILY 