Al-Nidaa residents take to streets, demanding services and good governance

NAJAF — Residents of the Al-Nidaa neighborhood in northern Al-Najaf have taken to the streets for the sixth consecutive night of protest, demanding improved public services. Demonstrators cite decades of neglect, pointing to chronic issues with sewage systems, electricity supply, drinking water, street lighting, school buildings, and stray dogs.

In a statement issued last night, protesters accused authorities of failing to address their needs and warned that conditions in their area had become unbearable. “We, the residents of Al-Nidaa in Al-Najaf Al-Ashraf, are addressing you at a critical time as we continue our protests for the sixth consecutive day, calling for immediate and urgent intervention to fix the situation in our area, which has suffered from governmental neglect and failure for years,” the statement read.

The demonstrators are demanding prompt action on long-delayed sewage and rainwater drainage projects, as well as the swift implementation of electricity initiatives, including previously approved substations. They also called for improved street lighting—especially on Al-Kafeel University Street and the main road leading to residential complexes—citing frequent accidents due to poor visibility.

Additional demands include addressing the growing threat posed by stray dogs and completing stalled school projects that leave children without a secure educational environment. Protesters further called for the closure of the Eighth Municipal Department, which they claim has consistently failed to provide adequate services. They urged officials to either replace it with a private company or equip it with the necessary machinery to meet the neighborhood’s needs, and to take action to protect green spaces from illegal exploitation while holding those responsible accountable.

“We demand that our basic needs, which directly impact our daily lives, be given the highest priority. Corruption and procrastination should no longer dominate these projects, which already have allocated budgets. We are tired of false promises and call on officials to take full responsibility for what is happening in Al-Nidaa,” the statement continued.

The protesters warned that if their demands are ignored, they will escalate their demonstrations into an open sit-in, which could include roadblocks and larger protests throughout the neighborhood. “We are confident that you understand the importance of these issues and look forward to swift action to rectify the situation in our area,” the statement concluded.

The current protests follow similar unrest in Al-Mishkhab, where residents staged four days of demonstrations starting on January 25, 2025, to demand basic services. In response, Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani’s adviser, Ihsan al-Shibli, visited Al-Mishkhab to hold discussions with local officials and representatives of the protesters.