By Zahra Ali

The political crisis into which US-Iran tensions have plunged Iraq is delaying the changes that the protesters have been fighting – and dying – for

In the tents of Baghdad’s Tahrir Square, young protesters are eager to talk about their experiences with the revolutionary uprising that started in October. 

But recent developments, including US air strikes, the US embassy attack, the assassinations of Iranian military leader Qassem Soleimani and Popular Mobilisation Forces (PMF) commander Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis, and the Iranian attack on two US military bases in Iraq, have put protesters in a difficult spot.

Powerful militia leaders are believed to be responsible for the bloody repression of Iraq’s peaceful uprising, with hundreds killed, thousands wounded, and many others detained or missing. Yet, the Iraqi political elite has accused the US of driving the massive popular uprising. 

Unity and sovereignty

The uprising calls for Iraq’s unity and sovereignty, refusing Iranian and US influence. Under the slogan “We want a homeland”, protesters are demanding a functioning state with equal services and rights for all citizens. They are denouncing the Iraqi political elite’s corruption, sectarianism and nepotism, along with militia attacks on journalists, civil society and women activists. 

Protesters are demanding a new government, new electoral laws, a new constitution and the prosecution of political leaders accused of corruption and the killing of peaceful protesters. As this political elite is tied to Iran, slogans against Iranian influence have been prominent. 

The October uprising is revolutionary; it is an unprecedented, inclusive movement for a common struggle

The protesters in Tahrir Square are politically mature and cautious of any form of instrumentalisation. While there were some scattered, spontaneous expressions of joy over the news of the assassinations of Soleimani and Muhandis, most protesters remained cautious. 

Read more from the source: Middle East Eye