World news – Tensions in Nasiriyah ease as the Pope leaves for Iraq

The Iraqi Nasiriyah has recently been the scene of violent protests, but with the Prime Minister’s efforts to calm it down, the city has calmed down.

March 4, 2021

The southern Iraqi city of Nasiriyah – recently the site of major anti-government protests – has largely escaped the attention of the international media, but that is about to change. Pope Francis’ visit later this week to the place revered as the birthplace of Abraham, outside the city limits on the site of the ancient city of Ur, should attract worldwide attention.

Last week, protests hit Nasiriyah again with tragic consequences, when five protesters were killed and dozen injured. Demonstrations against poor public services and corruption have temporarily rocked the city since October 2019.

On February 26, Kadhimi appointed General Abdul Ghani al-Asadi, who is the head of the national security agency, as acting governor. A native of Nasiriyah, Asadi is an influential figure in the tribal community and the province in general.

Asadi was instructed to listen to public demands to ease tension between the security forces and protesters and to find a permanent solution for the provincial administration. He heads a committee of inquiry formed by the Prime Minister to investigate the recent excesses of the security forces. Similar previous committees in Basra and Baghdad have arrested security forces targeting demonstrators. Last month the government arrested four militants who were involved in the kidnapping and killing of protesters.

According to a source speaking to Al-Monitor on condition of anonymity, Asadi was ordered to « initiate a transition process to a permanent government structure agreed with protesters and local leaders ».

In a statement, Kadhimi reiterated his earlier instructions to the security forces not to use live ammunition under any circumstances.

« The current government has implemented several training programs for security forces to improve their ability to peacefully deal with protests, » a senior official told Al-Monitor.

On February 27, protesters in Nasiriyah announced a list of demands for the new incumbent governor, including exposing the party that ordered security forces to shoot protesters, dismissing the police chief and investigating the former Governor. They gave Asadi three days to comply with their demands and stopped protests until after the Pope’s visit to the city.

With the three days ending tonight, there is no sign of another escalation brewing in the province. Instead, the province appears to be busy preparing for the Pope’s visit, which is a historic event for Iraq, particularly Nasiriyah.

Nasiriyah is more than a biblically significant place. The city plays an important role in Iraq’s modern history. During the Ottoman period it was an important traffic junction along the Euphrates. Many of the Iraqi artists, intellectuals and politicians are from Nasiriyah. It has a rich political history: the Communist Party of Iraq was founded in the city; It is the birthplace of Iraqi Ba’ath party founder Fuad al-Rikabi, and many of the early party leaders came from the city, and it is there that the Islamic Da’wa Party was founded.

When Baghdad’s Tishreen protest movement began in October 2019, it quickly spread to Nasiriyah and some of the most violent clashes between protesters and security forces occurred there. Nasiriyah’s politics are linked to Baghdad’s politics, and what is happening in Nasiriyah is having an impact on Baghdad and across the country.

Kadhimi was in severe political crisis and economic hardship in May 2020 and after the resignation of his predecessor Adel Abdul Mahdi appointed Prime Minister following the brutal repression of the protests in 2019 by elements of the security forces. Kadhimi was able to enter into dialogue with the demonstrators, which led to the end of the protests in many cities, including Baghdad. Kadhimi’s approach was confirmed when the widespread demonstrations in October 2020 marking the one year anniversary of the Tishreen Revolution were largely peaceful, with demonstrators and security forces showing remarkable reluctance.

Now, in Nasiriyah, Kadhimi faces a serious challenge. On the eve of the first visit by the leader of the world’s Catholic Christians to Iraq, tensions in the city increased significantly.

Public services like electricity and clean water are limited at best in Nasiriyah – as is the case in much of Iraq . The entire nation is now suffering from an unemployment crisis. At least 500,000 young people enter the labor market each year, almost all of whom have little chance of finding employment. In this situation, Iraqi youth have little hope for the future.

Tough militia groups who want to disrupt the Pope’s visit are also still agitated, and although the security forces are under strict instructions to avoid the use of deadly force , some extremist groups seem to see violence embarrassing the government while the world’s eyes are on Iraq.

The Kadhimi government has worked quickly to calm the situation. Baghdad has allocated around US $ 100 million to improve public services and tackle unemployment in the city and across the province.

Kadhimi and Asadi have started a consultation process with local civil society groups to address the situation calm down and choose a new governor who will enjoy widespread acceptance in the community.

While the government’s first steps have shown some positive results, the Pope’s visit could be an initial test of how long the calm in this crucial province.

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