Activist arrests spark protests in Nasiriyah as demonstrators clash with police

DHI QAR – Clashes erupted in Nasiriyah on Saturday after the arrest of several activists, including Karar Al-Azirjawi, a prominent figure from the 2019 Tishreen protests. Demonstrators, outraged by the detentions, flooded Haboubi Square, demanding the release of the activists and accusing local authorities of launching politically motivated raids.

The protests escalated by evening as demonstrators blocked roads and burned tires. Protest leaders issued a stark warning to Baghdad, threatening further unrest if their demands were not met. The arrests were reportedly ordered by Major General Najah Yasser, the newly appointed provincial police chief. Among those detained were well-known activists Nawar Jiyad and Ali Khudair.

In a video statement, a protest representative condemned the police actions, saying, “Nasiriyah is stable, despite what some media portray. We were shocked by the actions of the new police chief. These young people protested for basic services like electricity and land, not unrest. If you want to maintain stability, repression and false charges won’t help.”

Dhi Qar police command defended the arrests, stating they were based on judicial warrants linked to older cases. “There is no targeting of individuals or groups,” read the police statement, which emphasized that all operations were conducted legally to maintain public order. The statement urged residents to cooperate with security forces to ensure stability in the region.

The response to the crackdown grew more intense after reports of live ammunition being used to control the crowd. Ahmed Al-Rumaidh, head of Dhi Qar’s Security Committee, confirmed that an investigation was underway to hold officers accountable. “The use of live rounds is unacceptable, and those responsible are in custody pending legal proceedings,” Al-Rumaidh said during an interview with Nasiriyah Television.

Al-Rumaidh stressed that while the security forces are essential for maintaining order, they must act within the law, vowing that any misconduct would not be tolerated.

The Tishreen protests, which began in October 2019, were a series of mass demonstrations across Iraq, with citizens, especially young Iraqis, calling for government reforms, improved public services, and an end to corruption.

The protests, marked by widespread discontent with Iraq’s political system, were met with a violent crackdown by security forces, resulting in hundreds of deaths.