Clashes erupted at protests in southern Iraq over the arrest of activists, as hundreds of demonstrators gathered in Nasiriyah demanding the release of those detained during previous demonstrations. This led to confrontations between the protesters and security forces in the city, located in the Dhi Qar province, a known hotspot of anti-government dissent.
The protests come as a continuation of the widespread anti-government demonstrations that began in Iraq five years ago, calling for political reforms. Demonstrators on Friday specifically called for the release of activists who had been involved in protests since October 2019, labelling the legal actions against them as retaliatory. Additionally, they demanded the resignation of the local police chief, with the rally drawing support from some Iraqi legislators sympathetic to the protest movement.
Security forces attempted to disperse the protesters by using smoke bombs and blocked access to Al-Haboubi Square with barbed wire. Reports indicated that during the clashes, 11 security personnel and nine protesters sustained injuries. The Dhi Qar police announced that 21 of their members were injured, without specifying the number of injured protesters.
Following the events, a provincial council member, Ahmed Al-Khafaji, disclosed that emergency measures were taken by the council, including ceasing raids on activists’ residences, allowing them to resolve legal matters locally, and prohibiting the use of live ammunition against demonstrators. These decisions were made in response to the recent unrest in Nasiriyah.
The protests in Iraq from October to December 2019 marked a significant period of civil unrest, leading to the ousting of the government and the implementation of a new electoral law by parliament. The demonstrations were met with a violent crackdown by Iraqi security forces, resulting in numerous casualties, injuries, and arrests.
As tensions continue to simmer in Iraq, the clashes in Nasiriyah highlight the ongoing struggle between authorities and citizens demanding political change and justice for activists detained during previous protests.