On November 3, Iraqi protesters once again resumed their protests, returning to the streets despite the security forces’ attacks. In recent weeks, the Iraqi government dispatched its forces to quell demonstrators, particularly in Baghdad’s al-Tahrir square, by collecting and torching protesters’ tents.
However, demonstrators came back to the streets in nine southern and central provinces, demanding the expulsion of Iran-back parties and militias. “Rein your dogs… Our people do not scare you… This is a revolution against the Iranian regime and oppressive parties,” chanted protesters, addressing Tehran in al-Tahrir square. “We would never be exhausted even if [our families] take us in the coffin,” and “Respond to them with a loud voice: we would never be exhausted!”
Iran-backed militias also raided protesters in Basra, southern Iraq. However, the people’s resistance contributed to a conflict that lasted until midnight. “We are free people and would not become [Iran’s] tail and mercenary,” and “This is a revolution against the Iranian regime and oppressive parties,” protesters chanted.
In solidarity with Basra, other provinces’ people flooded onto the streets. In Dhi Qar, Nasiriyah, Najaf, Wasit, al-Muthanna provinces, citizens condemned the government’s crackdown on Basra’s protesters. “Those who say the revolution has died, they live in delusion,” “In Baghdad and Basra, there are heroes who are used to bullets,” “Basra, resist! Dhi Qar stands with you,” and “Protesters intend to resume the October revolution from al-Tahrir square, Baghdad” they chanted.
In Amarah, southeastern Iraq, Tehran-backed militias assassinated Abdul-Nasser al-Tarfi, Sheikh of the al-Tarf tribe, due to his support for the protesters. In a video circulated on social media, the late Sheikh is shown speaking against the former commander of Iran’s Revolutionary Guards (IRGC) Quds Force Qassem Soleimani.
In its statement, the Organizing Committee of Iraq’s October Revolution condemned the assassination of Sheikh al-Tarfi. “Militias target protesters and civil activists, who seek the Iraqi people’s rights and the end of rationing sectarian regime, with illegal weapons,” the statement reads.
Since October 2019, many people flooded the streets, demanding a cutoff of Tehran’s meddling in Iraqi affairs. Despite the harsh suppression commanded by Qassem Soleimani, protesters did not succumb and pushed Iran-backed Prime Minister Adil Abdul-Mahdi to resign. However, the sectarian regime did not dissolve.
“In tandem with the first anniversary of Iraq’s October Revolution, the Iraqi people resumed demonstrations in different cities across Iraq, calling for discovering the protesters’ murderers and accounting them,” Sky News reported on November 2.
Activists say the security forces, plainclothes agents, and Quds Force snipers killed at least 600 protesters. However, no one has stood before trial so far. In contrast, the government still silences any cry violently.
