Haider al-Mirijan said life-altering injuries sustained during reformist protests in October 2019 were wasted as the parties he was rallying under the new government consolidated. I say sacrifice.
Like other protesters, Al-Mirijan said he was disappointed and frustrated with the composition of the new government, which took office on October 22.
“The day this government was approved by parliament was a gloomy and miserable day for all of us,” Al-Mirijan said. The National He lives in Germany as a political refugee.
“We feel that all our efforts and sacrifices have been lost. After all the martyrs and the blood shed, we have nothing.”
Protesters had hope after Iraq held early national elections last October under new election laws.
However, the powerful anti-Iranian Shia cleric Moqtada al-Sadr emerged as the clear winner, frustrated with efforts to form a government after attempting to sideline the Iran-backed party, and subsequently After withdrawing from politics, his rivals were able to form the next administration.
After a year of political strife, the legislative body confirmed a new government headed by Prime Minister Mohammed Shea al-Sudani, who was nominated by a coordinating framework composed of influential Shia militias and political parties close to Iran.
After all the martyrs and the blood shed we have nothing
Haider al-Mirjana, protester
smoke grenade
Al-Mirijan, 25, had a normal life before the October protests that erupted in major cities in central and southern Iraq. He was a taxi driver and played the tambourine in a band.
Youth-led protests demanded more jobs, better services, an end to widespread corruption, an overhaul of the political system and an end to Iranian influence in Iraq.
“I had a relatively good life, but I joined the protests so that we could all live in dignity and have a homeland where all our rights would be protected,” he said. Told.
However, near the end of October, he was hit in the face by a smoke grenade fired by security forces. Officers opened fire on the crowd using artillery, live ammunition and large military smoke grenades, injuring tens of thousands.
“At first, I didn’t know what had happened to me. I just fell to the ground and suddenly my whole body was numb and I couldn’t move,” he said.
“I could hear my friends calling ‘Hider, hider, hider,’ but I couldn’t move or get up,” he said. “At that point smoke started coming out of my mouth, ears and eyes.”
The grenade destroyed his upper and lower jaw and all his teeth. It also affects the facial nerve, known as the 7th cranial nerve, which carries nerve fibers that control facial movements and expressions.
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Six days later, he awoke from a coma in a hospital in Baghdad.
After receiving funding from volunteers, he traveled to India for treatment. Five months later he returned to Iraq to continue his protests.
But after receiving threats from Shia militias, he fled the country last October, joining thousands of migrants who illegally crossed the border into European countries before reaching Germany. Two months later, his family sold their house and left for Turkey.
Germany granted him political asylum, and he is currently in Berlin waiting to undergo plastic surgery, heal scars and repair damage.
protest revival
According to Al Mirjan, efforts are being made to quickly revive the protests against the Al Sudani regime.
“This government will be rejected because it is dependent on Iran and will not serve the country and the people,” he said.
“The protests have leaders and they don’t go out with flowers and flags like they used to. If they face us with weapons, this time we will face them with weapons,” he said. Told.
Leaderless, youth-led protests have been met with a tough crackdown from security forces and Iran-backed militias.
About 600 protesters and members of the security forces were killed in the riots and tens of thousands were injured.
Dozens of activists reported threats, and there were numerous kidnappings and assassinations.
Activists accused Iran-backed militias of being behind the assassination, but the government and militias blamed “third parties” but did not identify them.
In early 2020, protests ended due to crackdowns and the coronavirus pandemic. The protests forced the government of Prime Minister Adel Abdul Mahdi to resign, inviting Mustafa al-Kadhimi to deal with the anger and organize elections.
Since then, sporadic small gatherings have been held in the state, mainly in the southern city of Nasiriyah. Many activists use social media to distribute their messages and hold discussions.
Protesters said one of his first acts, appointed by his predecessor after October 2021, as a sign that Al Sudani was not concerned with their concerns, It was to dismiss several officials in his office and other senior government positions.
At Tuesday’s first post-cabinet press conference, he referred to the former government’s provisional status.
“According to the Supreme Court, the Caretaker Government has no rights. [to make such senior appointments],” He said.
He did not identify the officials who were dismissed, but among them was Chief of Intelligence Reid Johi, who served as the office manager of Mr. Al-Kadhimi.
Before that, he laid off several employees in the media office. According to politicians, new officials linked to political parties within the coordination framework are expected to replace political parties, as are senior posts such as deputy ministers and general directors.
He also appeared to have withdrawn from plans to hold snap elections “within a year”, noting that parliament would have to get involved in such a move. must disband, he said.
“Iraq is back to what it was before Tishreen,” wrote political writer Moussa Jawad on Twitter, meaning October in Arabic.
“From darkness to darkness,” Jawad said.
Updated: Nov 02, 2022 at 2:27 PM
