The Common Ills: Protests and violence continue as Nouri grows ever more unpopular

Friday, August 16, 2013

Protests and violence continue as Nouri grows ever more unpopular

Since December 21st, protests have been taking place in Iraq. Today was no different. Iraqi Spring MC notes protests in Falluja, in Mosul, in Jalawla, in Dhi Qar, and Mahmudiyah. National Iraqi News Agency notes, "Tightened security procedures taken around the sit-in squares of Anbar province, before holding the unified prayers at noon today."

Lara Jakes (AP) reports on Iraq and how it is being shoved aside in the news cycle by other events.
The security situation in Iraq is deteriorating rapidly and is of significant concern," She quotes Senator Bob Corker stating, "The security situation in Iraq is deteriorating rapidly and is of significant concern. A United States foreign policy that does not recognize this will be very problematic."

There is no security in Iraq. This is made especially clear by an incident today. NINA reports that Lt Col Wissam Korgi al-Dulaimi's home was invaded today. The man holds the title of Director of the Division to Combat Terrorism. Yet his Falluja home was invaded by a man wearing an explosive belt. The suicide bomber detonated his bomb and took his own life while taking the lives of 2 bodyguards and the Lt Col's brother and also injuring two people. Also today, a police officer was shot dead outside his home near Mosul and his brother was left injured in this shooting.

Alsumaria adds that a Ramadi suicide bombing claimed 1 life and left two police officers injured, a Samarra bombing left six members of the police injured, and a Mahmudiyah bombing claimed the 2 lives (military officer and a soldier) and left seven soldiers injured.

Nouri al-Maliki is a failure. In his second term as prime minister, he has turned out to be even worse than his first term. He can't lead, he can't protect. He can, and does, blame mythical foreigners for the violence in Iraq. Mohammad Akef Jamal (Gulf News) observes:

The Iraqi government, however, has failed in doing its political duty. Political failure means failure at all levels, including security. But Al Maliki does not want to look at failure from this perspective although many of his allies in the National Alliance disagree with him. He tries to justify his policies through blame and threats.

In a meeting with political and economic experts, Al Maliki hurled accusations at allies in different political blocs, such as the Al Muwatin Bloc headed by Ammar Al Hakim and the Sadrist movement headed by Muqtada Al Sadr. He also accused some of his ministers of being responsible for the deteriorating security situation. He forgot that as the prime minister, he shoulders the most responsibility.

Additionally, when Al Maliki accuses neighbouring countries of sponsoring terrorism in Iraq, he is only embarrassing himself. He ends up in a very awkward position because he becomes obliged to reveal the names of these countries — and bolster his accusations with proof. He also needs to tell his people how his government is dealing with these countries.

Iraqis have a right to know their real enemies and the government has no business hiding the truth.

If what Al Maliki is saying is true and he has evidence against countries sponsoring terrorism in Iraq, then he has a national and moral obligation to challenge these countries in an international court of law and the UN Security Council.

But the truth lies elsewhere. If we were to accuse those who destroyed Iraq, encouraged corruption, sectarianism, forgery, armed militias, and the killing of highly-qualified Iraqis, we will not find any group more liable than the Green Zone group, along with its establishments and institutions.

Kitabat notes Nouri is refusing to own up to his security failures and is again blaming the unnamed foreigners. As the fingers point more and more to Nouri and he grows ever less popular. Iraq Times notes a new poll finds 83% of Iraqis consider Nouri a failure as a prime minister. Alsumaria notes Ahmed Chalabi has posted to his Facebook page that he has not asked Nouri to step down. And knowing how Chalabi plays, this is most likely his part in reviving the calls for Nouri to step down. Sami Moubayed (Gulf News) offers:

Al Maliki’s second bid is to extend his own term by an additional eight months. The official pretext is that there was a delay in forming his cabinet after the election. Al Maliki contends that his cabinet has not completed its legal mandate. Earlier this year, MPs tried to pass legislation limiting a premier’s tenure to two terms. It was squarely defeated by Al Maliki’s Iran-backed State of Law Coalition. Al Maliki has already been in power for eight years, the longest-serving prime minister in Iraqi history. It seems that he wants to be around for a while.

And he also wants a third term. All Iraq News reports State of Law MP Mufeed al-Baldawi insists that they will address this in parliament's next term (State of Law is Nouri's political coaltion).

The following community sites -- plus Tavis Smiley, Antiwar.com, Susan's On the Edge, Pacifica Evening News, KPFK, the Guardian and Ms. magazine's blog -- updated this morning and last night: