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Massive protests against Iraqi government are expected and the security forces have entered a state of alert especially in Baghdad.
The roads leading to Tahrir Square in Baghdad will be blocked off tomorrow.
Anti-Riot sent water trucks to Tahrir Square and reports that 15 people were arrested at a protest in Basra.
Reports that several protesters were injured after attempting to storm the Green Zone.
NO TRUTH to any reports about protesters dying.

Ministry of Health denies all reports about these cases. There are injuries to both civilians and security forces.
The protest is about jobs in general but also about the decision against LG Al-Saadi.

Multi-faceted like any other protest but while I'm tweeting I'll let the audience know that the IQAF commander and 6 other Officers are apparently up for indictments.
Many are wondering who is behind the protests. Normally it's the Sadrist movement pushing for dissent but this is something that started on a whim via Iraqi social media.

These are youth who are concerned about their futures.
You could say that the demonstration at the statue of LG Al-Saadi in Mosul was the flashpoint for this latest round but the demand for jobs is an ongoing phenomenon.
Latest figures indicate 286 civilians and 30 security forces injured.

Also a contradictory update regarding 3 killed despite the Ministry of Health statement.

Like any other protest if it's true then we'll have names.
Minister of Interior arrived to Tahrir Square just now.
The MOI went to Tahrir Square because the protests did in fact result in one person dying.

MP Redha Al-Haider is calling for a joint committee to be formed in order to investigate what happened at Tahrir Square.
Oh boy...

Roads cut in Basra by protesters and they just stormed the Governorate Building in Karbala.
Iraq Army has intervened to stop Anti-Riot forces from confronting the protesters. Seems to be a general mobilization, no specific location was given.
Anti-Riot forces stood down and fled in the face of the Army.
AFAIK there were protests in Baghdad, Mosul, Basra, and Karbala only.

Nothing going on in Kirkuk or any other major city/town
Lord have mercy, a few minutes ago..

Canal Highway leading to Sadr City has been closed.

Sadr City is rising up now and some people are calling it the "October Revolution"
continued from previous
Iraq Army enters Tahrir Square and kicks out the Anti-Riot Forces in order to protect the protesters.
URGENT: Reports that a missile fell in the area of Jadiriyah within Baghdad
PSA: Al-Kindi and Zayed Hospitals in Baghdad asking for blood donations

"اهالي بغداد مستشفى الكندي ومستشفى زايد ومدينة الطب برمتها تستنجد بكم فهم بحاجة الى متبرعين بالدم اخوان لاتقصرون روحو اتبرعو اخوتكم بحاجتكم "
Sadr City 20 minutes ago
Basra Operations deployed the Army preemptively to get the situation under control and they already cleared some of the roads from burning tires after the protesters were dispersed
As far as what's known there is only one death from today that is confirmed. Another name, Abdul Reza Abbas, isn't completely verified.

Mohamed Habib Saadi, who was killed in Tahrir Square. May God have mercy on his pure soul.
Worth noting in case it is fully confirmed later but there are talks that the Police Chief for Dhi Qar has been removed from his post because of poorly handling the situation in Nasiriyah.

Nasiriyah is another city to add to the list after Baghdad, Mosul, Karbala, and Basra.
Reports that Iraq Army and the Anti-Riot Forces are disputing Bab Khadra in Baghdad

Tomorrow the demonstrations are expected to go to all provinces
Federal Police 3rd Mechanized Division sends APCs to the Green Zone to deter the protesters
URGENT: Reports that civilians from Sadr City are heading to Tahrir Square with weapons because of the death of Mohammed Saadi, who was from Sector 17
Federal Police shifted their attention to protecting protesters and maintaining stability.
Nothing ever came of this, as far as I know. There are 1000s of illegal weapons in Sadr City which includes rockets & mortars but there doesn't seem to be reports of armed clashes last night, just Army arresting Anti-Riot forces who refused to stand down.
Continued from the previous reply. The weapons were exclusive to the funeral in Sadr City. Case closed.
The latest figures indicated that 246 civilians were injured yesterday, not 286.

The other death is confirmed, making it 2 people who died.

29 civilians still remain in the hospitals to be treated for their injuries.
Anbar isn't protesting because they don't want another catastrophic security failure to occur like in 2014.
Security Forces in Diyala cut the roads leading to the provincial building in Baqubah.
Prime Minister started an emergency meeting with the National Security Council about an hour ago.
Now

Protesters gathering at Falahah Square in Baqubah.
Babil and Baqubah added to the list.
Urgent:

Engineering Building in Nasiriyah burned with two security forces killed and more than 50 protesters injured
Continued from previous, photo was taken earlier
The Governorate Building in Maysan was burned and protesters stormed the one in Najaf as well.
Najaf

Dawa and Hikma Party offices burned.
Reports that Baghdad International is under control of protesters to prevent officials from leaving the country.

I doubt it right now due to lack of photos not to mention ISOF would've deployed to take back control like they did in Basra last year.
It's true
Minister of Defense orders all sectors to take the appropriate measures to preserve the sovereignty of the state as well as protect vital government facilities, diplomatic missions, embassies, and to show restraint against protesters
The result was the National Security Council decided to declare a maximum state of alert.
Here we go again 🙄

Reports that the Iranian Embassy in Baghdad has been burned.
Second rocket strike, after the first one yesterday. Near the Green Zone.

Let me guess, they'll magically blame Iran knowing that anti-Iran crowds joined the protests today.

It was probably the Sadrists.
Prime Minister leaves curfews at the discretion of the Governors.
I haven't mentioned the internet blackout because it's hard to gauge the extent of it. Seems a lot of people are active via mobile wifi and VPN though.
Total curfew is in effect in Baghdad starting at 5am local time until further notice.
The situation is calm in Basra but it seems that people have gathered in Tahrir Square at Baghdad.

No updates for the other cities at the moment.
List of demands that is floating around now:

1) dissolve current govt
2) abolish provincial councils & appoint new governors
3) call for urgent elections by a new law and presidential system
4) call for new constitution
5) cancel any title for security forces outside of MOI/MOD
6) protect and activate the judiciary from political roles
7) end the role of clerics and religious authorities
The protesters start a cleaning campaign in Baghdad despite the curfew.
Another explosion from the Green Zone, the reasons aren't known yet
Iran has closed at least 2 border crossings with Iraq due to increase in tensions.

Probably Maysan and Basra because they were flashpoints last year. Diyala is a non-factor.
Interestingly, some MOI circles deny that the Anti-Riot forces belonged to them but rather they were part of a protection force assigned to the Green Zone.
Nothing ever came of this.
A civil activist named Hussein Adil and his wife were assassinated in Basra last night. They played a major role in the 2018 protests.
Reports that the US Embassy ordered non-essential personnel to leave Baghdad and Erbil immediately.
Now

Launch of a massive demonstration at Za'franiyah Institute in Baghdad
clarification on the US Embassy statement can be found in the link below:
No demonstrations are planned tomorrow in Nineveh. It's just rumors being traded on social media.
Now

Demonstrations in front of Diyala provincial building and protesters are entering the 'flight yard'(?) in Baghdad
Public Service Announcement: Diwaniyah Health is asking for blood donations
there have been zero protests in Mosul today.
No damage.
Pretty sure this was a duplicate report from yesterday.
Within the hour

Reports that protesters burned several checkpoints in Al-Amel neighborhood of southwest Baghdad.
Dawa party office was burned in Salhiya.
Prime Minister will appear on television in less than an hour, probably has to do with the Office opening dialogue with protest groups earlier today to discuss demands
Southwest Baghdad, they burned a Humvee
There has not been another rocket attack against the Turkish Embassy, it's just the outlets reporting the incident 24 hours late.
Internet is starting to return to Iraq, service is back online in most parts of Baghdad.
Yes I'm aware of the mystery question in terms of dead and wounded. There is no accurate set of numbers, with media making their own estimations. Without knowing the identities of the dead, it's impossible.

However to say there are possibly hundreds dead is a huge exaggeration.
Some media claim that Ministry of Health quoted 12 dead and over 1400 wounded across several governorates but no such statement exists from the MOH.
Key takeaways from the PM's speech.

Yeah I didn't entertain the idiotic rumors of his incoming resignation because I knew the context beforehand, as mentioned a few replies up. This is based on dialogue that took place earlier in the day.
If Abadi didn't resign over the failure to deal with Basra last year, there was no way AAM was going to resign over these random protests. And yes they're random because they were planned on a whim via FB literally the night before. Hence the 1st tweet.
Protesters attempting to reach Tahrir Square with resistance being met from Anti-Riot forces
Situation in Mosul is calm, no one has gathered for protests because the civil groups have not planned any. Same goes for the other liberated areas.

In Stockholm, protesters are apparently gathering in front of the Embassy.
What happened at Baghdad International two nights ago is that the protesters cut off the road and made it to the terminal entrance. They never went inside, only besieged the site to the point that Halbousi and the others had to fly out by helicopter. Airport is back to normal.
The third civilian death that is confirmed for sure was a child who burned in a car after the vehicle was hit by a stray tear gas round in Zafraniyah. Haven't been able to verify the 2 security forces deaths in Dhi Qar yet.
Now

Roads leading to Tahrir Square, Kilani Square, and Tayarin have been cut off.
Reports that a journalist was killed in Tayaran Square.

Tayaran not Tayarin, correcting the name.
Protesters rescued an ERD Trooper who was assaulted by an angry mob in Baghdad
Urgent:

Sources in Baghdad reporting that a photographer for AFP was killed in the protests
Among the other events today:

-protesters were dispersed in Nasiriyah

-Diwaniyah provincial building was stormed

Reuters is claiming 44 dead but there is still no official word from the Ministry of Health who actually monitors hospital receptions.
Hisham Al-Adhami. He moved to God's Mercy in Tahrir Square. May his soul Rest in Peace.
new in-depth copy of the protester demands. Not clear which activist group put this forward.
New protests expected in Zafraniyah, Shula, Amel, and Sadr City sections of Baghdad.
Curfew in Baghdad expected to expire tomorrow morning.
At least one of the four deaths in Tayaran Square was caused by a protester being hit in the head by a tear gas canister.

Who knows the location of Mansour Melia Hotel? People claiming snipers took up position there.
Speaker of Parliament met this morning with a delegation from the protests at the House of Representatives
2 personal protection officers at the Diwaniyah Provincial Building were arrested after shooting at protesters and will be transferred to a military court.

Yeah these Facilities Protection Service types don't have the kind of professionalism that the Police and Army do.
In fact I'm pretty sure these FPS are why bullets are flying on top of the fact that Joint Operations denied giving orders to use live ammunition. These third party groups were a problem last year at in Basra.
Mohammed Al-Saadi was the brother of a fighter in PMF named Hussein Al-Saadi who was Martyred during the battles in Nineveh. What a messed up situation.
Pretty sure this didn't end well. Halbousi apparently asked them to end the demonstrations and the protest delegation asked him to quit in return
There's even a paper copy of the protester demands now. If anyone wants to quote and translate then I'll add that to the thread because I don't have time right now.
pretty sure it's the same demands I've already posted but these kinds of things are always subject to change.
Protesters gathering at Tahrir Square in Baghdad.

Large group making its way to the Provincial Building in Diwaniyah.
Reports that protesters took over Shula area completely and gave the service providers 3 hours to restore the internet completely or the corporate headquarters will be stormed.
Dawa and Fadhila party headquarters burned in Nasiriyah.
2 recorded deaths in Baghdad today

1) Sufian Amer Shihab Al-Dulaim, from Fallujah

2) Bassam Hariz Abdul Saheb Al-Saadi from Sadr City

one of the protesters killed in Nasiriyah days ago was shot in the throat.
Protesters declare Nasiriyah "party free" after destroying all of the political offices in the city.
NRT stopped broadcasting, Arabiyah and Dijla stations in Baghdad were stormed
FFS, just when I thought it couldn't get worse

Reports that 4000 volunteers between Dhi Qar and Wasit announced the formation of an armed group calling itself the Dignity Shield Brigade in order to deter the sniper attacks targeting both protesters and security forces.
nothing credible about this said in local media til this moment.
Diwaniyah and Najaf curfews lifted.
Sadr City was hit with mortars earlier in the night but it's not known who is responsible. 17/55 seizes mortars regularly during the illegal weapons campaigns.
Internet gradually returning to all provinces now
No arrests in Diyala recently because security forces and protesters reached an understanding to avoid civil disobedience during the demonstrations
Protesters in Rusafa caught an individual carrying a weapon who was inciting violence and destroying public property. He was handed over to the security forces after the clashes.
Euphrates (Furat) Channel headquarters in Baghdad was struck by a rocket a few hours ago which led to the injury of one of their employees.
Baghdad Provincial Council has voted out the Governor.
Clarification: He handed in his resignation and the Council accepted it.
Latest estimates is 104 dead and over 6000 wounded.
Out of the dead, 8 of them are security forces and 1179 of them are among the wounded.
Sadr City and Tahrir Square saw protests today but the former has apparently fallen out of government control. Waiting for updates.
According to Joint Operations

2 checkpoints, 52 military and civilian vehicles, 1 restaurant, 7 caravans, and 51 civil and govt buildings were burned since the start of protests.
the Army was ordered to withdraw from Sadr City and was replaced by Federal Police after some time due to a failure in enforcing the Rules of Engagement. Officers being investigated as a result.
Diwaniyah Council held an emergency session about 1 hour ago to discuss protester demands
Falih Fayyadh denies the presence of Iranian troops inside Iraq, as obvious as that is.

Tomorrow the PM is expected to launch a reform package.
This is the kind of thing I mean. Nothing like a page from a city that's not even in Federal Iraq spreading inflammatory words with information that isn't even proven. Pure instigation and Hadath pages do the same thing.

Not to mention it's only pages from the north saying this.
It's like no one has respect for Iraqis because the legitimate gripes have segwayed into anti-Iran or anti-Gulf arguments everywhere when every bloc in Parliament is guilty one way or another.

And for the record most of the war media folks have declared neutrality.
The Council of Ministers also apparently put together a 17-point reform package today, the info will be copied here when I get back to my computer.
Oh even better, it's all in this thread. Well that saves me the trouble then.
Internet returned to parts of Diyala.
Basra as well, as told to me in the previous reply.
Director of Military Intelligence has been tasked to set up a commission to investigate 2 Officers within the Army who were involved with the use of excessive force in Sadr City yesterday.
New protests starting in Sadr City now.
Now Muqtada is calling on the government to resign
Sadr City tonight:
Claims of 57 dead in Sadr City since the beginning of protests with a list going around that has names obtained from the local hospital.
I have the list, the problem is whether or not these names are truly verified. That's why I'm calling it a claim while trying not to inflame the situation by sharing this info.

In the meantime, the police units in Tarmiyah raised their level of alert.
Internet seems to be working in most of Iraq again, lot of folks who went dark last night are back now. This on and off nonsense needs to stop.
Some photos from the DijlahTV office
The pattern that should be seen with the TV channels is that they are foreign or privately owned.

Hadath - from UAE
Arabiyah - from KSA
DijlahTV- from Jordan
NRT- from Kurdistan Region
Al-Sharqiyah - privately owned by a Mosul guy who goes between Dubai and London
It's clear that the motivation to take these stations down was to stop them from instigating, because that's exactly what Hadath and Arabiyah were done. Can't speak on the rest yet but Sharqiyah isnt so popular either.
Whatever the case, I don't believe this was sanctioned from higher up, but rather a unit that decided to act on its own accord.
And who was doing most of the talking on Facebook? Every area BUT Baghdad and the south. The blackout was the worst thing they could've done because they gave non-factors the ability to twist the facts and worsen the situation. Look here on twitter and see how involved Saudis are
Then you have expats in Europe and US, and neo Baathists on top of that asking for an intervention by US. Meanwhile Iran remains uninvolved outside of press coverage yet scumbags continue to suggest IRGC involvement.
Reports that Parliament voted to freeze the work of District and Provincial Councils.
Parliamentary Committee within House of Representatives is working towards giving Martyr status to people killed in the protests and releasing detainees immediately amid an urgent call for an investigation into the shooting incidents.
Correction on the Martyr status - they voted to approve the compensation within the 2020 budget.
Prime Minister stated that he gave strict orders not to use live ammunition and that all personnel responsible for the shootings will be transferred to the military courts for trial.
The report about 1 police officer being killed and 4 others wounded in Muzaffar Square is true. The square is located in East Baghdad.

Federal Police has the security file for Sadr City, Army handed over all positions when they withdrew.
Reports of new protests in Basra.
Seems that the internet will only be running from 8am to 4pm local time today.
The maximum alert level for the security forces is officially expired after some stability in the situation.
Green Zone and Republic Bridge have been reopened.
Ministry of Communication extended the cut off to 8pm local time.
Mourning period announced for 3 days starting tomorrow.
Legal action is being planned against the Minister of Communications on grounds that he violated Article 40 of the Constitution by enabling the internet to be cut off.
the internet schedule from 8am to 8pm is being described as 'indefinite'.
Bigger protests expected tomorrow in Baghdad.
Clarification: It's from 0700-1700 local on wifi only. No 3G.
Update: Minister of Communication says that they got orders not to cut the internet and return the sites to full service.
Seems that the general consensus about the snipers that targeted both protesters and security forces is that it was a third party.

Qais Khazali went as far as saying it was Blackwater, lol.

Nevermind the countless organized crime gangs in Baghdad.
A decision was made to form a new Army unit called the "Law Enforcement Force".

It's to maintain Law & Order but it honestly sounds like a unit specifically trained to protect the protesters.

Tweet redone due to my bad spelling, lol.
After today's weekly National Security Council meeting, Joint Operations received tasking to form an investigation committee in order to announce the results of the attacks against protesters and security forces. Expect a conclusion in 5 days.
I get that Saraya Khorosani was blamed for the attacks but people based it on their large presence in Baghdad and from accusations in Basra last year. Not one person to date has proven their undeniable involvement in the shootings.
3G starting to return but it's intermittent.
National Security Council gave official orders today for the establishment of a command structure.
Continued from previous

Reports that Major General Abdul Karim Khalaf will assume command of the Law Enforcement Force.
Saraya Khorosani denied the existence of its forces in Baghdad during the protests, claiming that its subordinate units are all currently deployed at the border.

It's true, they have a unit stationed at Akashat and another Garrison at H3 airbase. Interesting nonetheless.
Internet is expected to be cut next week due to the concerns of renewed demonstrations.
Another statement directly by Ali Yasiri who is the commander of Brigade 18.

Basically another emphasis on his forces being deployed at the border and operating in Houran Valley within Anbar while denying their involvement in the protests.
Friday, October 25th.
Reports that 3G services returned to all areas and that subscribers will be compensated for the time lost during the demonstrations due to internet cuts.
Joint Operations just backed up Brigade 18's statement and denied all reports of PMF involvement in the protests.
Continued from previous

Even PMF Security was being blamed for attacking protesters. Not a single shred of evidence was presented against them and any western journalist suggesting this should understand that the PMF-SD /SDPC belongs to the Office of the PM just like ISOF.
The next protests expect direct coverage from several international media outlets to include CNN, BBC, TV5, SWD, DW, and RT.
The final report was submitted to the Council of Ministers.
The Sadrist demonstrations in Karbala today were unprecedented. The agreement was for the protesters to come back out on October 25th but even that was postponed.

As usual, Sadrists follow their own path.
from Anbar Police Command: anyone participating in the October 25th protests will be arrested without exception
Continued from previous

Some folks deny reports about the October 25th protests being delayed until late November and all indications point to next Friday proceeding as planned.
100% confirmed and Muqtada is bringing thousands to the streets.
Preparations for the Law Enforcement Force have been completed, following the latest National Security Council meeting.
Diyala Police Command has not received any requests from protesters to gather for demonstrations on Friday, October 25th.
Reports now that Prime Minister read the results and the decisions are as follows:

-Dismissal of Commanders from Iraq Army 11th Division and the 45th Brigade within parent unit
- Dismissal of Police commanders from Najaf,Babil, Dhi Qar, Muthanna, (cont)
Police Commanders from Baghdad, Qadisiyah, and Maysan also Dismissed.
I don't think it's exactly relevant but Major General Saad Maan was also relieved from his post as MOI Spokesman yesterday. He served in this position since 2012 so it's probably just the end of a term.
Speaking of which: A document said to be from Ministry of Communications was shared on social media claiming that the internet would be cut Friday and Saturday. It's not true, the document is fake.
Tactical Cell was nice enough to provide copies of the Commission Report, it's an Arabic-language document though:

facebook.com/Tactic.cell/po…
Prime Minister to make an appearance on TV tomorrow night in order to address urgent reform actions.

Reports circulating that he already ordered a reduction in the salaries of Ministers and Deputies by as much as 50%
Iraqi Security Forces alert level raised to maximum starting tomorrow.
Lt. Gen. Qais Mohammadawi leaves Middle Euphrates Operations to assume command of Baghdad Operations.

Maj. Gen. Ali Hashim assumes command of Middle Euphrates Operations after serving as Deputy Commander.
Maj. Gen. Jabbar Wali leaves post of Deputy Commander within Baghdad Operations and moved to Defense Affairs

Brig. Gen. Aqeel Kazim leaves post of Deputy Commander for Iraq Army 14th Division and assumes command of Iraq Army 11th Division.
Brig. Gen. Mazen Jawad leaves post of commander of 28th Brigade within Iraq Army 7th Division and assumes command of 45th Brigade within Iraq Army 11th Division.
Now

Minister of Interior arrives to Tahrir Square.
At this point the protesters have already started gathering in Tahrir Square with intention to kick out anyone representing political parties.
translated copy of the PM's speech today can be found in the thread below:
Protesters are already trying to enter the Green Zone.

Meanwhile in Basra, the protesters are starting to gather.
Brigades 313, 314, and 315 (Saraya Salam/ Peace Companies) deployed their forces in Baghdad to protect protesters.
The units are on standby in the other governorates (Muthanna, Maysan, Dhi Qar, and Basra)
Up to 95 people have been injured so far, 60 of them being security forces under Ministry of Interior.
More protesters starting to gather in Basra, photo was taken near the Governorate Building earlier
Republic Bridge in Baghdad is closed now.
Reports that 20 cases of tear gas exposure was recorded in Baghdad hospitals last night.
Even Federal Police were injured by the Tear Gas, wow.
gate to Umm Qasr port was closed by protesters just now.
Saraya Salam fighters deployed to Tahrir Square about 1 hour ago, they showed up in white clothing and with no weapons.
In Basra, the Governor and Police Commander attempted to meet with protesters but their presence was quickly rejected so both withdrew to the Naval Command.
Security Forces arrested a person carrying a weapon shooting at both protesters and ISF on Sadoun Street / Nasr Square in Baghdad.
Al-Sumaria reporter Hisham Wassim was wounded during the protests earlier today.
Photo of Hisham Wassim after he was treated. He was wounded at Tahrir Square.
4 deaths in Maysan, incidents occurred in Nasiriyah.
Protesters in Basra destroyed a police vehicle earlier after it drove through a group of people.
one of the dead, Jalil Hashim, was a soldier in the Army.
Protesters broke into the Wasit Provincial Building.
at least 2 reported deaths in Basra.
another confirmed name is Mustafa Tahir, who was the first casualty.
High Electoral Commission building in Muthanna was burned.
What happened in Basra today is that protesters attempted to storm the Governorate Building and were met with Tear Gas intended to disperse the crowds.
As far as what's currently known, none of the liberated areas intend on protesting. Their response to the October 25th date was essentially that they're not partaking because they've learned their lesson.
Urgent:

Office Manager for Asaib Ahl Al-Haq in Maysan was murdered along with his brother
Protesters attempted to break into Mesopotamia Bank in Kut but were repelled.

Mobile ban in place for Najaf, Muthanna, and Wasit.
Mobile ban in place for Dhi Qar and Basra.
No planned demonstrations in Baquba today, security situation concerning protests is stable in Diyala.
As of right now. 30 dead and over 2200 wounded.

Dead:

Baghdad - 8
Maysan - 9
Dhi Qar - 9
Basra - 3
Muthanna - 1

According to Officer of High Commissioner for Human Rights.
Wounded

Baghdad - 1493
Dhi Qar - 90
Wasit - 10
Muthanna - 151
Basra - 301
Diwaniyah - 112
Maysan - 105
Karbala - 50

Over 50 govt buildings burned.
No masked men have gathered in front of Nasiriyah Prison, just a rumor spread on social media because this site has ISIS prisoners. Prison guards increased security anyways.
Mobile Ban in Karbala now
As I said yesterday. This was Saraya Salam, white shirts, no weapons, and intention to protect protesters in Tahrir Square.

Muqtada isn't the greatest guy but at least his brigades have discipline.




There's actually more detailed info on the police vehicle incident in Basra from earlier today, as mentioned below.
continued from previous, the image is just as important as the text.
Federal Police did honorable work today but the local police need to get their shit together.
The shooter was from Traffic Police, unbelievable.

Seems that from here on out, anyone caught engaging in armed violence will be charged according to Article 4 of the Anti-Terrorism Law.
Mohammed Al-Halbousi, the Speaker of the House, tonight in Eagle Square.
Follow up with regards to the latest Joint Operations statement.
Photo which shows the identification of the Traffic Cop mentioned by Joint Operations earlier today:
Former MOI Qasim Al-Araji's house in Kut was burned and looted, according to the reports from earlier tonight.
To clarify for translation purposes "mobile ban" refers to curfews, not a ban of cellular data / wifi.
more photos with the Speaker of the House in Eagle Square. The biggest comment is how Mohammed Al-Halbousi came without his jacket to talk with the protesters tonight
On the subject of Basra, the Operations Command Lt. Gen. Qassim Al-Maliki stopped the order issued by Governor Eidani to send an intervention force to break up the protests. Lt. Gen. Maliki ordered commanders to only take orders from himself, not the Governor.
On the subject of offices burned in Muthanna:
1) Dawa Party
2) Fadhila Party
3) Bashayir Movement
4) Victory Coalition
5) Asaib Ahl Al Haq HQ
6) Hikma
7) Badr Org HQ
8) Saraya Khorosani HQ
9) Electoral Commission
10) Supreme Council
11) Hezb Battalion
12) MP Ashwaq Karim office
13) Badr Al-Samawah Radio & Television

/
They were named Wissam and Issam Al-Alawi and were killed as the result of an armed attack on their office in Maysan. Seems that they were accused of killing protesters just before so it was a revenge attack.
There's even a video about this ordeal, the two brothers were attempting to leave via ambulance after one them was injured but the mob caught up to them. The video is just before they were pulled out and killed by family members of the people allegedly shot at the office.
I say "allegedly" because I haven't examined the protesters' side of the story yet. As far as what was accused, they claimed Asaib killed 8 people in Maysan after protesters attempted to storm the local office.
Obviously there is some skepticism at play here because in every protest, Maysan is always the first to come out with anti-Iran chants. It's something worth noting.
12 deaths in Diwaniyah, 10 of which are attributed to protesters dying after a Badr headquarters was set on fire.

Brings the total to 42.

The first protester to die today was struck in the head by a tear gas round at the Republic Bridge in Baghdad.
Worth noting in Basra is that someone threw a hand grenade at Federal Police near the Provincial Building, which led to 7 officers being wounded. None of the police there carried their weapons for demonstrations. The 3 deaths are connected to the run-over incident.
Again, as posted earlier in the thread, the run-over incident happened because the police vehicle was struck with stones by some protesters and the driver lost control which led to those 3 deaths.
The ONLY other PMF deployed in Baghdad besides the unarmed Saraya Salam fighters is the local Medical Services Branch who was treating protesters for tear gas exposure.

The other PMUs are NOT involved in Law Enforcement operations and are confined to their sites / pol offices.
The act of them having protection details confined to their political offices is the same last year, which led to clashes with units like Saraya Khorosani, Nujaba, and Saraya Ashura. None of these PMUs were on the streets to begin with.
kinda funny how people are making it seem like Asaib shot unprovoked. The protesters had gunmen among them, how else would the two brothers have been shot dead after being dragged out of the ambulance then?
Curfew still in place for Basra and Iraq Army has mobilized because of the violence yesterday.
From the Asaib funeral this morning which was attended by Qais Khazali.

Wissam Al-Alawi left his job as a Senior Engineer in the Ministry of Oil after answering to the Fatwa issued by Grand Ayatollah Al-Sistani in 2014. He participated in all major battles especially in Nineveh.
protesters in Basra actively attempting to break curfew by gathering at Andulus street in attempts to reach the courthouse. Security Forces responding to disperse them.
Emergency Response Division is sending a force from Baghdad to Basra.
Oh boy, develpmonts are coming quick now.

Baghdad - protesters attempt to cross Republic Bridge

Dhi Qar- 2 killed and 16 injured from light and medium weapons after burning of the Security Committee Chairman's home

Qadisiyah - 19th Commando Division arrives to Diwaniyah
Republic Bridge earlier:
Cleaning campaign in Basra this morning. There's always the group of protesters with their hearts in the right place who DON'T destroy anything but then choose to clean up after the others. God bless them.
In Amara, the office for Brigade 19 (Loyal Supporters of God / Ansar Allah Awfiyah) was burned after a heated gun battle that involved heavy weapons and grenades. Unknown at this moment how many people died.
This was Wissam Al-Alawi during Mosul offensive. Photo was taken when he saved a child during the middle of a firefight.
Protesters raised the Iraqi flag over the Iranian Consulate in Karbala.
Reports that Sairoun has declared itself as an Opposition bloc and is starting the process to remove Prime Minister Adel Abdul-Mahdi from office.
Reports that MP Muzahim Al-Tamimi resigned from Parliament.
As I told someone else, yes Abu Azrael was beaten by an angry mob but he was put in Intensive Care and is stable. He was trying to calm them down before he was attacked.
Al-Arabiyah and Al-Hadath TV channel operations have been frozen.

Figures since Gulf media are nothing but instigators.
NO TRUTH to any report of ICTS being deployed on the streets of Nasiriyah.

The ISOF battalions are tasked with defending critical assets and in the case of Nasiriyah, it's the local prison where the ISIS detainees are held.
people really out in the protests with sling shots and ball bearings.

Seized by Federal Police earlier.
Curfew in Basra will be lifted temporarily from 5am until 2pm local time tomorrow.
Al-Hurra and Radio Sawa offices in Baghdad have been reportedly closed.
Just for the record, the protester attendance today was almost double from yesterday and they're only going to grow. That means security forces used more tear gas whether 40mm CS rounds or the Serbian M99 canisters.
That being said, the majority of clashes in Baghdad was focused on the Republic Bridge, Tahrir Square, and a local Turkish restaurant. Stun grenades are also in play but protesters insist on staying in Tahrir Square to keep pressure on the government.
I spoke too soon on the second part, reports that the PMO activated the ICTS to deploy in Baghdad.
Basra Operations released all protesters previously detained.
At least 2 deaths in Nasiriyah today and 8 in Babil. 2 of the deaths in Babil are security forces.
at least 7 in Basra, 2 of them security forces.
Sairoun MPs staying in the House of Representatives until protester demands are met.
Saraya Salam in Najaf earlier tonight:
ICTS is not facing any protesters, contrary to the reports. They are deployed to protect critical infrastructure and the mission will remain as such.
50 protesters were released with exception of 5 who were proven to have been making incendiary bombs for use during the protests.

Basra Operations does not plan on preventing new demonstrations.
Saraya Salam fighters in Karbala last night

On the subject of PMF, the Medical Services Directorate has 150 ambulances deployed to treat the protesters
Baghdad Operations denies using live ammunition in the past two days and stresses that those shooting were protesters fighting amongst themselves (obvious exception is the Traffic Cop incident)

Should go without saying that the Tear Gas is not party to this statement.
Demonstrators took to the streets in Baqubah and Muqdadiyah for a very brief time and left notes on people's doors to support the protests in Baghdad. The gatherings ended without incident.
One notable violation in Basra last night was the use of live ammunition near Safwan border port. Unclear who in the security forces is responsible.
From Baqubah, the demonstration took place in front of the Governorate Building and lasted for about 30 minutes.
Basra

Demonstrators gathering in Zubair area now.
Again, as stated earlier in the thread. ICTS is deployed to do the same thing they did during previous protests and that's to protect critical infrastructure. It has NOTHING to do with trying to end the demonstrations as some channels reported.
At least 3 other Deputies have resigned since yesterday.
Continued from previous and with clarification

MPs Yousif Kalabi, Taha Al-Dafaei, Raed Fahimi, and Haifa Al-Amin are the deputies who resigned today. That makes it 4 people total, not 3.
The death toll has since gone up to 74 with over 3600 wounded, according to UNHCR.

Majority of deaths occurred during clashes between protesters and protection staff at party headquarters. Over 90 buildings were burned since October 25th.
Urgent

Security Forces on Republic Bridge in Baghdad were targeted with a grenade
Protesters burned the Karbala Governorate Building:
Clarification just now

they burned the gate to the Gov Building but haven't reached it yet.

Local Badr office was burned along with another building belonging to "elites".
This right here is literally the reason why ICTS was dispatched to Karbala. They knew that this was coming so the Governorate Building has to be protected since it is considered a critical infrastructure.
Clarification / Update: it was a molotov that resulted in 8 injuries among security forces
As of right now there are 17 security forces and 45 civilians wounded in Karbala. The Gov' Building remains intact but it looks like the Iranian Consulate was broken into again and burned this time.

ICTS is deployed primarily around the Gov' Building.
And just for the record, the Karbala gathering DID start out peacefully. It wasn't until a bunch of thugs showed up and started attacking security forces that the situation got out of control.
The man responsible for the murder of the Alawi brothers is in the grip of justice.
Continued from previous

Reports that ICTS arrested as many as 11 people in connection to the murder of the Alawi brothers. Take-downs took place in Amarah.
student protest took place in front of the Gov' Building this morning in Baqubah but the situation has since returned to normal.
Students are leaving University classes to take to the streets all over southern Iraq in support of the protests. It's a solidarity campaign that they're demonstrating by wearing white shirts.
Teachers Union just announced a 4-day Strike in all of Iraq.

Baghdad Operations is asking local schools to keep students away from the protests due to high risk of stampedes.
Last night it was estimated that there are over 1 million protesters in Tahrir Square and surroundings. They're preventing anti-riot forces from retaking the Turkish restaurant nearby because that is what allows them to maintain a presence in Tahrir Square to begin with.
Baghdad Operations just now

They captured an infiltrator riding on a motorcycle with a case of 30 home-made grenades (likely molotovs) which the suspect intended on using against both protesters and security forces in Tahrir Square.
I don't think some people on here comprehend that this has nothing to do with foreign agitators. These anarchists are taking the Joker meme quite literally.
Yup it was molotovs.
Reports that one University student was killed in Baghdad after being struck by a tear gas round in the head. Victim's name is Noor Marwan.
80 people gathered in Kirkuk for a solidarity protest to support Baghdad but the demonstration only lasted 30 minutes.
Oh thank God, it's not true.
About Camp Taji, there were no casualties or damage. Minister of Defense and senior staff visited the site after the rocket/mortar incident tonight.
corrected version of today's events in Tahrir Square, by Mr. Ali Jawad. He's been there since October 25th.
Interestingly, Wissam Al-Alawi's other brother named Hussam published his own statement on Facebook in response to his death:
What seems to have happened in Karbala is that the situation escalated last night after the gate to the Governorate Building was burned which led to live ammunition being used.

Several protesters were killed before security forces set up concertina wire.
It's not clear who did the shooting, some people say "unknown gunmen", but it's been suggested to have been the security personnel at the Governorate Building.
The detail about the Iranian Consulate remains unfounded. Nothing in media indicates that the building was actually burned.
In Baghdad there were at least 2 deaths today, one of which was a civil activist named Safa Al-Saray.

He died when a tear gas round penetrated his head.
In Baghdad there was also a violation by security forces against a group of female students, the Director of Military Intelligence ordered an immediate investigation.
Video said to be from Karbala earlier tonight:
According to Joint Operations, 53 people were injured in the clashes at Karbala yesterday.
The decision to dissolve the Provincial Councils was ratified by Parliament yesterday which led to Diyala being among the first to withdraw the protection of the council members and close the local office building.
The number accounts for both security forces and protesters. Ministry of Health did not give a number on the amount of people killed despite an unverified video circulating on social media.
Muqtada said to be among protesters in Najaf now after returning from Iran:
important commentary on the video posted yesterday by certain accounts which claimed it was from Karbala.
Sadr invites Amiri to withdraw confidence in the Prime Minister.
Mr. Jawad reports tonight that Tahrir Square and surroundings exceeds 2 million protesters (no accurate way to gauge this) and that half of the Republic Bridge has been taken because the riot forces had to stop firing tear gas due to density of people.
Diyala Governor just suspended work tomorrow after Baqubah center was struck with a mortar.
Curfew also in place. Students organized at the Gov' Building today for a short time but it's in their best interest to stay off the streets.
Improvised explosive was detonated in front of Communist Party headquarters in Basra earlier.
I'm aware of the Karbala shooting reports and I'll say the same thing I've been saying for 2 days - these shooters are targeting BOTH security forces and protesters.

It's hardly a conspiracy, the criminals are still running rampant and illegal weapons are a factor. Not hard.
It's so easy to blame the IRGC or the Crowd for that matter, but I see the logic in it, because it's based on assumption.

Does anyone really think the countless drug dealers, thugs, and mobsters would join the protests peacefully? They don't stop at all.
Reports that arrest warrants were just issued against Karbala Governor and Provincial Council President.

A similar one was issued against Babil Council President yesterday.
Iraq Army with the protesters in Karbala amid the celebrations earlier tonight:
Some more photos from Karbala tonight. Do people really think that they'd be celebrating tonight if a "massacre" just took place yesterday?
Speaking of Karbala, local police took over the Badr and Asaib offices to keep the peace. Basically removing the incentive to destroy both of those headquarters.
This is what I was referring to yesterday when I wrote that the Army set up concertina wire in Karbala. This was put in place last night at the Field of Education after a peaceful sit-in was disrupted by renegades who began attacking both sides. Even molotovs were used.
After the renegades who disrupted the sit-in were dispersed last night, the security forces released the detainees who were part of the peaceful gathering.
Clarification on this Joint Operations statement, the total number of people injured was 143.

53 civilians, 90 security forces.
Additionally, Karbala Police Command reported a murder case last night which involved a criminal act away from the protests.
People gathered in Baqubah streets this morning, despite Governor Muthanna Al-Tamimi imposing a curfew after the mortar strike. Speaking of which, the curfew was actually imposed for all of Diyala, not just Baqubah.
Evidently social media was blocked by the Ministry of Communication for about 1 hour because the ban just expired recently.
Unknown parties just attacked security forces at the Republic Bridge in Baghdad.
TFW there's a literal wedding going on in front of the Babil Governorate Building
Members of Dulaimi and Kubaysat tribes out of east Anbar have gone to Tahrir Square to support the protests.
PSA: Al-Kafeel Hospital in Karbala is offering to treat injured protesters and security personnel for free

Related: PMF invites personnel to donate blood to help those injured in the protests
Protester just took down one of the barriers near Sinak Bridge.

More people joined Tahrir Square today but it is beyond capacity so folks have been displaced onto the banks of the Tigris. Republic Bridge still with the Security Forces.
Urgent: 1 mortar hit the Green Zone, leading to the death of 1 security officer at the site
fell near the US Embassy and the Martyr is a soldier from Iraq Army.
Anti-Riot attempting to retake Sinak now.
Curfew was lifted today.

Baqubah has ISIS activity on the southwest edge of town, a police officer was killed by a sniper near Khatun last week. Mortars from them are not out of the question.
They call it Mount Ahad now. The Turkish Restaurant at Tahrir Square which is the center of gravity for the protests there.
Ali Hussein Hatimi of Special Division, 56th Brigade who was Martyred in the Green Zone earlier tonight. May your soul Rest in Peace.
Reports that the house of the Secretary-General (Hamid Ghazi, Sairoun) of the Council of Ministers was burned by gunmen in Shatra area of Baghdad. Demonstrators attempted to protect him but were chased away.
1 of the 2 people who died today in Baghdad lost his life at Sinak, it's not clear if he was hit by a tear gas round or if he fell off into the river since some protesters did fall in.

Ali Jawad tried to stop them but some refused to return to Tahrir Sq.
Protesters in Basra have blocked Umm Qasr port for 4 days now and Anti-Riot is trying to retake the gate now.
Security Forces captured the criminal responsible for the Green Zone strike last night.
3 deaths in Baghdad today, the latest being a young woman hit in the head by a tear gas canister.
Reports that Haider Al-Abadi's home was surrounded by gunmen earlier tonight.
PMF commander was assassinated in Nasiriyah. Falih Jabbar aka "Abu Sajjad" was shot in Shatrah district.
the guards on his property clashed with the Unknowns. Evidently his property is in the Green Zone so this seems kinda sketcb especially if Special Division troops have the security file there.
ICTS tonight in Karbala with local security forces
Report was denied this morning, it's not true.
The clashes continued this morning amd so far it's been 3 wounded and 100 cases of tear gas exposure
Nimr clan members out of Heet went to Tahrir Square to support the protests.

Faraj members from Tarmiyah also present.
an agreement was reached to open the Zubair - Umm Qasr road multiple times a day for humanitarian reasons.
This has been going on all week since it was first announced, PMF blood donations continue at the moment. In this photo it's Turkmen Forces out of Kirkuk giving blood for the wounded protesters in Baghdad.
At least 3 protesters were reported killed in Karbala outside of the Iranian consulate. Earlier in the night an Iraqi flag was hung on the compound wall and protesters were attempting to climb to the inside of the site.
Reports that Muqtada is reversing his decision to withdraw confidence in the Prime Minister.
Seems that the blame is being attributed to the SWAT/STR.
There was shooting at Ahrar Bridge which targeted both protesters and security forces earlier.

Reports that Anti-Riot forces just withdrew from the bridge and protesters are crossing it now.
Anti-Riot closed Ahrar Bridge with concrete barriers.
The other incident that took place in central Baghdad today is that protesters reached the Ministry of Justice building then burned tires in the immediate vicinity. MOJ denies any reports of a fire inside the building itself.
The other sites they reached was the Radio and Television building in Salhiya area which is close to the statue of King Faisal.

Meanwhile, SWAT/STR mobilized its Embassy Protection Forces.
The group was dispersed by SWAT forces.
King Faisal I statue earlier today:
Should've shared this earlier but here's a photo of the Embassy Protection Forces within Baghdad SWAT prior to mobilization.
this was actually a result of protesters crossing the Ahrar Bridge so what happened in Salhiya followed suit and concluded with Anti-Riot closing the bridge and dispersing the crowd.
Got some clarity on this. First and foremost it took place in Dhi Qar, not Baghdad.

Second, the house was not burned, but there have been multiple attempts since then. Police have repelled every attempt for them to break inside.
Continued from previous

The protesters have managed to light fires outside of the home and the clashes today have resulted in 5 injured protesters.
Yesterday in Baghdad there was a horrible death on the Republic Bridge. A young protester from Ghazaliyah was killed as a result of a headshot but there's just no way a M99 canister or 40mm CS round did it. Without posting the video, his head was blown open.
The outcome of the Ahrar Bridge-Salhiya episode was 1 protester dead and 50 wounded.

Sinak, Ahrar, and Al-Allawi bridges remain blocked by the Anti-Riot forces. Situation at Republic Bridge has not changed.
Well okay then.

Protesters in Umm Qasr took over a BMP-2 that belongs to Iraq Army 9th Armored Division, 36th Mechanized Brigade.
Zain Telecom announced for transparency reasons that the internet was cut at the source and beyond their control.

Ergo, the Ministry of Communication is responsible for the decline of internet connection last night. It was limited in most areas but not completely blocked.
what happened is that a force from 9/36/2 went down to Umm Qasr port in order to open the road by force but the protesters resisted to a point that the soldiers withdrew and left the BMP behind.
Last night orders were trying to be passed for the Army to retake the Turkish Restaurant and break up Tahrir Square but Officers up the chain of command refused due to the density of protesters there.
The outcome of the Umm Qasr incident last night was 2 dead, 8 wounded, and 150 cases of Tear Gas exposure.
Continued from previous

names of Martyrs:

1) Zaki Qassim

2) Hussein Khalid Awdah
Just to spread awareness, but some accounts claimed there was another run-over incident in Basra yesterday. The video clip in question isn't even from this year or Iraq for that matter.

Not to mention the first incident wasn't even intentional to begin with.
The loss of revenue from Umm Qasr port being closed exceeds 6 Billion USD, according to Samarra TV quoting Iraq Army.
Umm Qasr north and south gates were opened for traffic this morning.
PMO Spox Major General Abdul Karim Khalaf essentially stated that the internet would be restored if the electronic armies stopped instigating meanwhile Arrest Authority has been issued against any protesters blocking main roads (specifically in the case of Umm Qasr)
What happened a few days ago is that Basra Operations Commander got approval from the Judiciary to arrest protesters blocking the roads and charge them according to Article 4 of the Anti-Terror Law. Seems to be more of a deterrent than anything after the BMP-1 episode.
Speaking of violations, there was also live ammunition used at Umm Qasr coupled with CS gas. Basra SWAT kind of has a bad history from last year, I don't think Colonel Mansouri was ever relieved of his post.
According to Al-Mirbad, the PMO Spox accused the UNHCR of promoting false casualty figures and massacres that never happened.

The second part is true, there was no massacre in Karbala.
Clarification on this: the $6 Billion is in regards to the entire nation, not just out of Umm Qasr.

Samarra TV worded it badly. alalamtv.net/news/4540141/%…
Basra Operations reported earlier that the situation at Umm Qasr port was stabilizing.

Meanwhile at the Gov' Building the SWAT attempted to break up a sit-in and resorted to live ammunition with Tear Gas. Sadr Teaching Hospital has received a number of wounded.
Right now the claim is 19 deaths in the last two nights but there is nothing to substantiate that figure at this moment.
Correction: the sit-in is taking place at the Navy Square.
Protests also going in Samawah city tonight in Muthanna governorate.
Internet service returned to some parts of Iraq earlier.

Reports that Anti-Riot regained full control of Ahrar and Sinak Bridges.

Yesterday the PMO Spox mentioned an explosive being found under Sinak Bridge which was dismantled by engineers.
Reports that a protester was killed in Khilani Square in Baghdad and that there is an ongoing effort to break up the protests now
Protesters withdrawing from Khilani Square now.
Baghdad Operations Commander denies reports of clashes taking place at Tahrir Square.
I really don't understand why the Operations Commander denied reports of clashes unless he meant a specific unit. It's obvious that the MOD and MOI aren't talking to each other amid the protests in Baghdad.

Reports that 5 protesters were killed today and 140 injured.
And the better question here is: where is the Baghdad Police Commander amid this turmoil?
Internet is back, it'll be gone at the close of business, and the main focus this morning is at Khilani Square.

The site is contested between protesters and Anti-Riot.
Even PMF members are among the dead in the protests. Ghassan Al-Khaza'i of Saraya Salam lost his life at the Naval Square in Basra.
Brigades 313-315 have been in the protests since October 25th and they are all unarmed, as stated before.

PMF reaffirmed their support for the protests yesterday as well.
Protesters in Maysan cut the roads leading to Shayb border crossing and to the oil fields close to it.
Ministry of Communication claims that the internet is returning to full service with no plans for renewed cuts.

We'll see.
What happened during the blackout was that Anti-Riot opted to retake Khilani Square by sending reinforcements after seizing Sinak Bridge. They went in with Tear Gas but protesters wouldn't disperse so they resorted to live ammo which is how 5 people died
Khilani Square this morning. Seems that after being contested last night, Anti-Riot was able to stop protesters from retaking the site and set up barriers as a deterrent.
Strangely enough the PMO Spox stated that there is no intention to break up the protests by force.

Well someone should probably send him the memo about Anti-Riot and SWAT disobeying orders from the Operational Command.
the twins from BrothersIQ are reporting the opposite, they wrote about 1 hour ago that protesters retook Khilani Square.
Babil this morning. What's going on there and in Maysan is that University students are taking to the streets in defiance of Teachers' Union demands for classes to resume tomorrow because the strike was supposed to end today.
Have to issue a correction for the thread, the estimate for number of dead protesters and security forces is 301 since October 1st.

Previously wrote from October 25th, sorry about that. Estimated number of wounded is over 15,000.
(repairing thread)
sit-in also took place at Basra University today.

Internet has been cut in most parts of Iraq now.
A fire just broke out on the 12th floor of the Turkish Restaurant at Tahrir Square
Baghdad Operations arrested 2 people with 50 molotovs at Khalani Square, the suspects were planning in using then to target security forces.
Rapid Response troops arrive to Nasiriyah following the destruction of ammo and equipment stores for the Special Missions Units.
2 rockets fell in Baghdad last night, 1 in the west end at a housing complex and another on the northern section of the city near the Assyrian School for Boys. Both were fired at the same time. No injures or damage
In Nasiriyah at least 18 protesters were injured as a result of live ammunition prior to the ERD intervention.

In Basra at least 15 people were arrested as part of a gang that intended to vandalize during the protests.
ERD secured the bridges in Nasiriyah then directed the protesters towards Al-Haboubi Square in order to conduct the demonstrations safely.
Reports that Major General Mohammed Al-Walid assumed the post of Dhi Qar Police Commander.
Prime Minister expected to make another speech this evening.
No truth to Karbala Police going on strike, they participated in a march to support the Seminary and cooperation between protesters and security forces.

No truth to MOJ refusing to return bodies of deceased protesters unless a document is signed claiming it was an accident.
You know all month we heard the internet activists ramble about Iranian interference but they fell silent when US openly called for new elections.

For reporting sake, Ammar Hakim and Muqtada Al-Sadr are pushing back against the US calls for new elections.
Deep State Ammar has had it out for Qais Khazali since forever but ironically they are kind of on the same side here, although the conspiracies by Khazali and Muhandis are a deflection to an extent.
The situation at Tahrir Square is calm tonight but the tear gas and sound grenades are being used at Khalani Square.
Tahrir Square is the heart of the protests but what is a bit more amazing is that folks from the liberated areas went there to support the protests instead of starting their own. Smart move on their part, lessons learned to be quite honest.
Wild stuff. It's related to earlier in the thread, not only did ERD direct the protesters to Haboubi Square in Nasiriyah but they gave them rides too.
Several soldiers were injured after being hit by a molotov in Khalani Square.
A number of student demonstrations are taking place in Maysan, Najaf, and Diyala. Haven't checked for Basra yet but probably the same.
Situation in Dhi Qar is unstable. The protesters burned the home of a Deputy and his brother in Gharaf district which led to clashes.
Reports that Saba Muhadawi was released after being taken from Tahrir Square days ago.
Protesters detained today were later released.
Why would you bring this garbage to Tahrir Square? The Syria case is long done.
Apparently this is a photoshop, had me going there for a second. Might as well leave it up so people are aware that it's fake.
Baghdad Operations denies reports of protesters being killed in the last 2 days. They're challenging the claim by Reuters today, which let's be real, is just them promoting hearsay as fact.
Reports that 1 protester was killed in Khalani Square earlier tonight.
Oh no
Fire was contained.
There were no victims at the Turkish Restaurant last night. Contrary to what some people wrote, the Civil Defense was actually present and put out the fire together with the protesters.
An apparent car bomb exploded near Tahrir Square which resulted in at least 4 dead.
One of the photos from the scene a few hours ago.
According to Security Media it was an IED planted under the car and the resulted was 1 dead and 16 wounded.
Another photo from the incident earlier tonight, by Ali Jawad. He wrote that security forces were attempting to use sound grenades in Tahrir Square prior to the explosion.
The fire at the Turkish Restaurant was the result of an internal dispute between protesters which resulted in the use of a molotov cocktail.

Also there seems to have been a delay in reporting this fire because it initially happened November 10th and wasn't reported until later.
Evidently there was a huge dispute over this image because supporters of the protests claimed that the FSA flag was fake yet the counter-claim they provided was an Iraqi flag that looks heavily edited.

Regardless, this kind of crap should stay out of the protests.
Judge for yourselves. Generally speaking all flags except for the Iraqi one have been prohibited since the start of protests but the occasional leakers like these does not come as a surprise.

And no that doesn't mean it's part of a geopolitical plot.
If only decorating with art was the answer to everything.

Special report by Emergency Response Division from Nasiriyah city, Dhi Qar Governorate.
Protesters burning tires and closing streets in Basra this morning.

Yesterday it was reported that the road to Umm Qasr port was closed.
Messages left by Saraya Ghadab Al-Alhi (Divine Rage Companies) calling for people to commit to the strikes.

Basra Police has been dealing with this renegade group for over a week now, they're responsible for civil disobedience apart from the peaceful protesters.
Protests concluded in Basra hours ago and some folks cleaned up the mess on the streets afterwards.
Rocket just fell near the Green Zone.
Investigators have not reached the conclusion that the IED was an act of Terrorism.
Imagine that. Rockets falling during the peak of anti-govt protests as usual. A trend that was expected.

Anyways it landed near the US Embassy like we all expected it to. Something tells me the perpetrators use the same launch point every time.
So apparently the White House is also threatening to stop training and supporting the ISF if they are proven to be involved in suppressing protesters.

Not to mention they argue about Soleimani's "role" in Iraq. Just as soldiers are starting to report back to their units.
I think they're referring specifically to the snipers because some people went as far as saying ERD was doing the killing when they weren't deployed at the start let alone in Baghdad.

Anti-Riot is a different case.
Truth be told the Anti-Riot Forces aka Baghdad SWAT should've been kicked out weeks ago but I guess it was a staffing issue. Federal Police would wind up spreading thin if they took every file during the protests.
Figures that Sharqiyah TV is the only source reporting this at the moment.

I'd take it with a grain of salt until the White House produces the actual press statement.
Continued from previous.

I checked for a statement by the Pentagon as well, not that it would matter because it's a purely political matter at the moment. No bulletins for today.
Evidently it was 2 rockets total, some sources reported 3. 1 fell in the Tigris, and the other hit a playground opposite from the Green Zone.

Last time, a soldier from Special Division was killed in action.
Previous tweet deleted to reflect a change.

Initially I said no casualties or damage but immediately after Security Media came out saying that 1 civilian was injured.

My other part still stands, now to watch people play the assumption game.
The rocket that landed near a playground apparently came close to the ArabiTV office in Karrada area.

The one civilian who was wounded appears to have been an employee.
Reports 15 minutes ago that another rocket fell near the Sayed Idriss shrine in Karrada which led to dead and wounded.
Protesters gathering in Rifai Square in Nasiriyah following the withdrawal of security forces. Situation is getting out of control as fires have already been lit.
Ah so it was Al-Arabiyah who started promoting the whole "Soleimani instructing Baghdad" on top of stopping aid if the ISF are found guilty of brutally suppressing protesters.

So in other words they inquired with WH via email and a no-name replied to them. Okay.
Saraya Salam fighters (and I should stress that they are the unarmed white-shirts deployed since October 25th) stopped a group of protesters from breaking into the Central Bank near Tahrir Square.
It was a group of 10 criminals according to Baghdad Operations.
Ministry of Interior announces the end of Maximum Alert for its forces with exception of combat units.
According to journalist Ali Jawad, Anti-Riot forces around Tahrir Square have stopped using Tear Gas and sound grenades for 4 days now.
protesters also set up new picket camps in Khalani Square and near Sinak Bridge.
Reports that activist Mary Mohammed was released by her captors earlier today.
The protesters had taken part of Ahrar Bridge but later withdrew to Khalani Square for safety reasons. Gunfire was heard at Ahrar Bridge earlier in the night.

Protesters are forming committees to collaborate with ISF on the preservation of private property due to renegades.
MOC lifts the ban on social media sites.
Violation took place at Ahrar Bridge today with use of live ammunition which resulted in dead and wounded.
The focus of the clashes was on Rashid street which is near Ahrar Bridge. Elsewhere in Baghdad the situation was stable.
Missile fell in the Tigris earlier.
Deputy Kazim Al-Saidi is calling for the arrest of the UAE Ambassador to Iraq and the closure of the Embassy following allegations that surfaced yesterday about Emirati involvement to destabilize the protests

Which is ironic because KSA claimed support for Iraq integrity.
and funny enough the PMO received a phone call from one of the Princes in Qatar. Sheikh Tamim Al-Thani expressed his support for the Iraqi state.
Reports that the following channels have been ordered to close for the next 3 months:

-DijlahTV
-Al Sharqiya
-Al Rasheed
-Al Fallujah
-Hona Baghdad
-Al Arabiyah
-Al Hadath
-Al Hurra Kurdia
-NRT
-ANB

The following received Warnings:

-Sky News Arabia
-Rudaw
-Al Sumaria
-AsiaTV
The official death toll for yesterday's events according to MOI Spokesman Brig. Gen. Khalid Muhanna was 3 protesters and 2 security forces.
It's legitimate. So now you know what Security Forces have been dealing with on Rashid Street, and why there's been so many fires there recently. These Joker gangs can't be tolerated.
The one good frame in the clip: "Baghdad Chamber of Commerce". Bingo.
Continued from previous.
Hey this one is legitimate too: anadoluimages.com/p/17363582
Clashes going at Wathbah Square near Ahrar Bridge since 2 hours ago. Protesters throwing rocks/molotovs and Anti-Riot responded with live ammunition.
In Nasiriyah the protesters closed Victory Bridge earlier in the night but Security Forces have started responding. Most of the focus was at Rifai Square the last few days.
Intense deployment of ISF in Basra after protesters cut some of the main roads tonight
at least 3 protesters died and dozens were wounded.
Army reopened Al-Qasim intersection after dispersing protesters and removing the burning tires.
Earlier today the protesters burned a police truck at Umm Qasr.

A protester named Mohammed Ghassan Al-Kaabi was killed at Umm Qasr as a result of live ammunition.
Oh wow.. Mohammed Al-Kaabi actually survived the headshot and is in critical condition.

Update is from within the hour.
Document associated with the CMC order:
In Nasiriyah at least 2 buildings were burned by the protesters, the local Shia Endowment office and the new Governorate Building.
Basra Police went back to Maximum Alert after today's events. Dhi Qar Police are expected to do the same.
As far as yesterday was concerned there were 13 deaths according to multiple sources. 5 in Nasiriyah, 3 in Basra, the remaining 5 weren't specified but likely Baghdad. Other areas haven't seen much violent activity recently.
As far as Baghdad protests go, they're divided into 3 axes that are connected by river banks and Rashid Street.

1) Tahrir Square - Republic Bridge

2) Khalani Square - Sinak Bridge

3) Wathbah Square - Ahrar Bridge

The sites are east of the GZ with #3 seeing the most clashes.
Basra situation escalating again, several members of SWAT were wounded earlier following clashes with protesters. Now the protesters have cut the roads around Zubair by burning tires.
Prime Minister, Cabinet members, and military staff heading to Nasiriyah.
MP Khalid Al-Asadi's home in Nasiriyah was burned.
One of the central markets was also burned.
Imagine that. A fire in a 7-story building near the area of Hafez Al-Qadhi which is close to Ahrar Bridge and the Civil Defense struggled to put it out due to inability of adequate supplies to reach the site.

It's always on the Ahrar Bridge axis, speaks for itself.
Civil Defense is asking the Army to remove barriers near the fire in order for vehicles to reach the building via alternate means.
11 security forces were injured near Ahrar Bridge following clashes that involved molotovs today.

In Dhi Qar, 28 security forces were injured during confrontations at the local oil field.
Within the hour

Protesters cut the Republic intersection in central Basra
the Traffic Cop was sentenced to 3 years in prison.
Protesters cut roads in Najaf, Basra, and Nasiriyah today.

In Nasiriyah a service building was burned in the Dawiya district.
The Basra cuts are extensive. Roads leading to Zubair, Umm Qasr, and the oil fields have been cut since this morning. Khalid and Al-Kazizah Bridges also cut.

The organized disobedience will continue until evening.
Karbala experiencing roadblocks as well.
Looks like the video in Karbala is legitimate. Soldier from the Army was beaten to death.

In Basra, Sheikh Abdul Amir Al-Maliki was assassinated in the area of Abu Khassib by criminal elements.

Explosions took place in Baghdad earlier tonight.
Minor correction, was just informed that the beating took place in Baghdad, not Karbala.
Hmm, some more bizarre stuff going on now.

A force from Ministry of Interior went to the Dijlah TV office in Baghdad and now the reports claim that the police are being blocked from leaving by a detachment from the Kurdish President Regiment due to lack of communication.
The police officers were seizing the broadcast equipment per the CMC order from a few days back.
There really doesn't seem to be any local evidence of 3 explosions in Baghdad.

Sounds like the November 15th report was recycled because even back then there was proof of a detonation. Not ruled as Terrorism back then though.
facebook.com/ahrarkrbla/vid… WOW so it turns out that it was the Anti-Riot in Karbala using molotovs against protesters and it's been like this for 2 days now.
facebook.com/DarAddustour/v… Seriously, what were they thinking? Was Anti-Riot trying to give the protesters a taste of their own medicine?

situation in Karbala is more unstable than previously led on..
facebook.com/10098476801122… And I guess protesters were using fireworks against them or something? This one is from November 23rd and predates the molotov footage.
Police at the Dijlah TV office earlier tonight:
MOI gave Dhi Qar Police the order to withdraw from Nasiriyah city center last night.
for emphasis.

Crossing Republic Bridge and entering the Green Zone is NOT in the interest of the Tahrir Square protesters.

The attempts at Ahrar Bridge aren't related to the peaceful demonstrations.
Al-Tamim intersection in Baghdad earlier:
Some photos from West Qurnah Field in Basra, it's been like this for 5 days now
Abu Khassib road in Basra

Instead of burning tires, they made a barrier with photos of protesters killed since October 25th
It's not true that "Military Governors" were appointed earlier today to oversee the southern governorates.
At least 1 protester was killed and several wounded during clashes at Ahrar Bridge today.

In Najaf, several protesters were injured by Tear Gas near the Iranian Consulate.
The entrances to Najaf with the other governorates have been closed and the city is under a curfew until at least tomorrow morning.
contrary to what was said in social media, nothing happened in Najaf Old City, the confrontations took place mainly at Iranian Consulate
For the record, there is no military presence in Tahrir Square.

Security Forces are prepared to charge any protester donning military gear under Articles 155-159 of the Penal Code. Seems that some images of protesters in mil gear appeared in media today.
Guess I'll add it in here as well with regards to Najaf.
Middle Euphrates Operations Command staff held a meeting with Najaf Governor to discuss recent events.
One of the videos from the Iranian Consulate site earlier tonight. What happened is that fires were initially lit outside of the wall and then one got lit inside the compound which led to the explosion of a transformer.

32.0028014, 44.3321621
even in this photo you can see how close the fire was to the transformers:
Live ammunition was used last night in Nasiriyah. ERD is still managing the security file there.
Another fire broke out on Rashid Street in Baghdad, near the Central Bank and Ahrar Bridge.
Ministry of Communication denies that it intends on cutting internet service, meanwhile info is being traded about a cut started at 3pm local time.
ERD headquarters in Nasiriyah near Zaytoun Bridge was burned in response to the live ammunition used last night and this morning.
Yesterday a Crisis Cell for Dhi Qar was formed per instruction of the PMO and Lieutenant General Jamil Shammari was appointed as its head.

Reports that he was fired this morning and Lieutenant General Saad Harbieh of Joint Operations Forward will be taking his place.
Lt. Gen. Jamil Shammari was fired from his position at Basra Operations Command and was replaced by the then-commander of the 9th Armored Division.
The head of Al-Ghazi tribe in Dhi Qar is calling for a confrontation against police forces after the clashes last night have led to an estimated 20 killed and 200 wounded in Nasiriyah
The decision to remove Jamil Shammari today came after a demand from the Dhi Qar Governor. Jamil Shammari acted outside of the consent of the local administration which led to the current situation.

ERD forces were ordered to withdraw from Nasiriyah.
Ghazi and Badur tribes control the Fahad Bridge since 2 hours ago.
minor correction to this, he submitted his resignation AFTER the Dhi Qar Governor called for his removal.
Now

The groups split into two sections, 1 went to Haboubi Square, the other went to cut the International Road.
to backtrack a few hours prior, what happened this morning is that an attempt was made to retake Nasr and Zaytoun bridges by force but the protesters were able to regain control of both sites. That's where the live ammunition started.
they're in search of Lt. Gen. Jamil Shammari.
Lt. Gen. Saad Harbieh has not received official orders to leave Kirkuk yet.
In other news

Basra is experiencing relative calm today with protests limited to the Navy Square.

Yesterday a police officer was killed during the clashes.
Muqtada Al-Sadr is demanding the government to resign.
Dhi Qar police chief Major General Mohammed Zidan denies issuing orders to shoot at protesters and stressed the need for the groups to stay away from military headquarters and barracks.

He pretty much implied that clashes occurred with the extra-provincial units (aka the ERD).
In Najaf, Armor was deployed in the Old City following last night's orders to protect Grand Ayatollah Al-Sistani.

And as I said last night, the unit is from Al-Abbas Combat Division who were deployed following the transfer of authority to the Seminary.
Najaf Health recorded 2 dead and 18 wounded as a result of today's events.
This was taken way out of context by media yesterday, what's actually happening is Joint Operations established Crisis Cells for each of the southern Governorates.

The question is which senior commanders are going to be pulled for this duty.
still from an ERD clip taken on the other side of the bridge
A still from the footage shows that the ERD were in process of withdrawing across Zaytun Bridge back to the police station. They were shooting in direction of the road that runs along the riverside.
Looks like 2 separate fires today, on either side of the Zaytun Bridge. They must've burned the trucks after ERD was forced to withdraw by the huge group of protesters following the live fire. Then the police station was burned after they crossed over.
Look at the size of the protesters compared to the ERD troopers. Those men should've withdrawn well beforehand, there's no way they could've missed radio traffic about a group that big.
That being said, what happened in Nasiriyah is inexcusable. Over 20 people lost their lives because of poor decision-making. You don't resort to live ammunition if you're about to be overwhelmed by protesters. The commander of that detachment must face trial.
20 minutes ago by Security Media Center

Lt. Gen. Jamil Shammari has been summoned to Baghdad by the Prime Minister to explain the reasons that led to today's events in Dhi Qar.
Within the hour

reports that Dhi Qar police headquarters was targeted with RPG.
PSA: They're asking for blood donors in Nasiriyah.
He just left Nasiriyah for Baghdad. Hopefully the local tribes will calm down now that Jamil Shammari is out of their reach.
Ammar Hakim is calling on Dhi Qar Governor Adel Al-Dukhaili to resign.
Dhi Qar Governor resigned in protest of what happened today.
Earlier in the night, protesters reached the home of Lt. Gen. Jamil Shammari within the city of Diwaniyah.
Reports that at least 10 protesters were shot dead in Najaf tonight by unknown gunmen.
In Karbala at least 19 security forces were injured following an explosion earlier tonight.
local security forces formed a cordon around Jamil Shammari's home.
The shooting started near the Hikma General Hospital earlier tonight and the blame is being attributed to Najaf SWAT.
local Tribal leaders had given Dhi Qar police a 2-hour deadline to release all detainees in Nasiriyah. Deadline is 1am local time.
One of the Deputy Governors for Najaf, Talal Bilal, has resigned because of what happened in the city tonight.
Al-Ghazi tribesmen who took up arms after the ERD incident in Nasiriyah. This particular group was the one that cut the international road to prevent ISF from entering the city.
Source in the Crowd says that this man was responsible for the killing of Abu Ja'far Al-Alawi in Maysan last month. He was present in Najaf last night.
Reports that Lt. Gen. Jamil Shammari's home was burned by protesters despite the security cordon.
Just for the record, the ICTS battalion out of Dhi Qar continues to carry out the tasking for Al-Hout central prison despite the unstable security situation. Rumors coming up again about the prison being compromised, it is NOT true.
From this morning

statement by Lt. Gen. Jamil Shammari on Dhi Qar events:
PMO Spox declared the Nasiriyah incident as "self-defense", claiming that the ERD unit came under fire as they were withdrawing across Zaytoun Bridge.
In Nasiriyah there is the presence of light and medium weaponry in the city center, meanwhile protesters burned 8 police cars after reaching another police station.

The tribal mobilization didn't stop after Ghazi and Badur took up arms.
just now

Protesters returning weapons that were taken from the police station earlier.
Troops from 19th Commando Division salute the Nasiriyah Martyrs as they drove near Hilla outskirts earlier:
Dhi Qar Police called on the tribes to intervene at one of their stations besieged by protesters to prevent escalation.

At least 3 protesters have been killed today in renewed clashes within Nasiriyah.
Urgent:

Prime Minister Adel Abdul-Mahdi is offering his resignation.
The other thing that happened was 10 police officers were captured by the protesters along with the weapons prior to the Command calling on the tribes to intervene and release them. Unit affected was 1st Regiment near entrance to Nasiriyah.
Continued from previous and within the hour

Dhi Qar Police Chief offering his resignation on condition that protesters do not storm the police command headquarters.
PSA in Nasiriyah: Al-Rahman National Hospital calling on all medical cadres to report to the facility after 53 protesters were wounded during this morning's clashes
The scene from 1st Regiment Headquarters earlier this morning. The unit is located near Mansouriah intersection in Nasiriyah.
Reports now that Major General Mohammed Al-Quraishi resigned from his post.

Additional reports that the PMO Spokesman Major General Abdul Karim Khalaf is also resigning.
Evidently the Office Manager Abu Jihad Al-Hashimi also offered his own letter of resignation.

legally-speaking they aren't required to submit a letter to Parliament, so it seems they're buying themselves a bit of time before officially stepping down.
Some other photos from Nasiriyah this morning at the 1st Regiment HQ:
Dhi Qar Police Chief's resignation came after the local tribal heads honored his request to intervene in the situation at the Police Command HQ.

Should be noted this is the HQ for the entire Governorate, the 1st Regiment HQ is a different site.
people claim that Lt. Gen. Jamil Shammari fled the country but I'm pretty sure he's been on restriction since last year. Popular rumor that gets pushed on social media whenever an official messes up big time.
No truth to reports about Hamid Ghazi submitting his resignation. He's Secretary-General for the Council of Ministers.
Muqtada Al-Sadr says that the next Prime Minister must be chosen from the top 5 candidates with a popular referendum via ballots distributed to the protesters
Rocket was fired towards the Green Zone, no damage or losses.
PMO Spokesman denies he submitted his resignation.
There is NO TRUTH to the arrest of the spiritual leader of Brigade 18, Al-Sharqiyah spreading bullshit as usual. Hamid Al-Kazairi and Muhammad Al-Yasiri (military commander) are deployed in Anbar.
There were renewed clashes in Nasiriyah today with protesters returning to the Police Command HQ. 3 officers were wounded at Zaytoun Bridge meanwhile a total of 25 protesters have been injured so far today.

Relative calm as protesters withdrew to Haboubi Square earlier
At the same time, the police withdrew across Zaytoun Bridge. Dhi Qar police got orders to close the roads leading into the Governorate to prevent Unknowns from entering Nasiriyah.

Several Unknowns with weapons were arrested yesterday evening.
AAM delivered his resignation letter to Parliament today.

Army reinforcements arrive to Najaf from Baghdad.
Photos from the Hakim shrine today in Najaf. Saraya Ashura elements.
Dhi Qar clans tonight after they came out with security forces to close the roads to keep outsiders from entering the Governorate.

Reports earlier that unmarked vehicles in central Nasiriyah were targeting both protesters and security forces
Hakim Shrine management denies taking prisoners earlier today despite the threats against the Hikma Complex.

Moreover, Najaf clans captured some of the vandals and handed them over to the security forces.
Speaking of which, the National Wisdom Movement officially denied involvement in the recent Najaf events.

The shootings were not sanctioned by them because they support the protests. The gunmen acted on their own accord.
on the subject of detainees, an agreement was reached this morning for police to release all of them after a meeting with tribal leaders.
and speaking of which, the reason why protesters threatened to burn the Hakim Shrine is because the renegades had taken 60 people prisoner. Protesters demanded their release or the site would be burned.
The Hakim Shrine did wind up getting burned by vandals by the way. It was perpetrated by Hussein Awad who was leading a group of youth who hit it with molotovs.
Some more stills showing Hussein Awad with his group earlier today:
Continued from previous

Image shows the burning of the Hakim shrine.


As far as the "Unknowns" are concerned: They were followers of Mahmoud Al-Sarkhi who weren't from Dhi Qar yet made an appearance on Nasiriyah streets.

Sarkhi followers were involved in firefights with ISF back in 2014.
Continued from previous

The Sarkhi followers were chased down by Dhi Qar clans and Nasiriyah Police for most of the day. The officers targeted were from the 1st Regiment.

So now Sarkhi is a problem in Dhi Qar the same way Divine Wrath was a problem in Basra.
It was only the entrance that was burned before the Army reinforcements from Baghdad showed up.
The last update was that the Sarkhi elements fled to Jabayish district in Nasiriyah, this was a few hours ago.
The situation in Nasiriyah is completely calm with protesters gathered mainly in Haboubi Square. Local tribes and police are holding the roads leading to the city and some of the protesters formed a human shield to prevent vandals from approaching the nearby police station.
These Sarkhi elements were stopped by Bani Assad tribal members in Jabayish district then handed over to police. This group came from Basra, according to a local source.
Moving onto other topics, Baghdad saw some minor friction at Ahrar Bridge today while the Khalani-Sinak Bridge axis was completely quiet.

Lt. Gen. Jamil Shammari is being referred for a Court Martial after the failure in Dhi Qar.
Officially

Travel Ban and Arrest Warrant issued against Jamil Al-Shammari.
Wasit Criminal Court convicted 2 SWAT commanders for the killing of protesters in Kut. 1 received the death penalty, and the other faces 7 years in prison.
Tariq Al-Jabri was a leading commander in Wasit SWAT who got a conviction handed down after killing protesters on October 1st, the other person sentenced to 7 years is named Ammar Sadoun.
It's not true that Mohammed Al-Halbousi submitted his resignation.

The document didn't even originate from the Media Office for the President of the House.
Parliament voted on and approved the resignation of Prime Minister Adel Abdul-Mahdi.
Protesters helping the Army clean up Rashid Street in Baghdad this morning:
Within the hour

Najaf clans take to the streets to support the Army on imposing security in the Governorate.
a minor correction on my part, Omar Sadoun, not Ammar

Tariq Jabri was a Major in Wasit STR and Omar Sadoun served as a Lieutenant Colonel. They were convicted for approving the use of live ammunition in Kut.
Continued from previous

There's a dispute with the results of the Wasit trial. The case involved the deaths of two protesters at the Governorate Building at the start of October but sources in the SWAT argue that these two men are innocent because they were unarmed that day.
Continued from previous

pretty detailed summary of the evidence regarding the trial with accusations that the two officers were sentenced by Wasit Criminal Court due to external pressure.
On the subject of Najaf tonight

Iranian Consulate was burned for the second time. The staff evacuated the Consulates in early October when the protests started.
No recorded violations at Ahrar Bridge today. Seems that the clashes on that axis have finally come to an end because some protesters volunteered to put themselves between the Anti-Riot forces and the vandals.
Now

Iraqi Security Forces in Najaf enter Maximum Alert in order to end the crisis in the Governorate.
Another violation to note in Najaf today

5 year old girl was killed by a stray bullet near the 20th Revolution Square as a result of gunfire caused by the Hakim Shrine protection.
This morning in Najaf

Security Forces cut all roads leading to the 20th Revolution Square and Hakim Shrine.

Najaf was relatively calm the past night.
Sadr ordered the Blue Hats (unarmed Saraya Salam) to go with the head of Najaf clans to the 20th Revolution Square and post as security to force the hardliners within Saraya Ashura to stand down.
Comes after Najaf Elders appealed to Sadr to intervene in the Hakim Shrine situation.
Clip said to show the Hikma hardliners in Najaf a few days ago:
Some contradictory info as to whether or not Mohammed Shya' Al-Sudani is a candidate for Prime Minister. Some sources says yes, others say he denied it.

It's also apparent that Nuri Al-Maliki denied the bid for PM.

On the other hand they say Ibrahim Bahr Al-Olom is the next PM
Adel Abdul-Mahdi is essentially acting as a Caretaker until the next PM is chose.

It's not clear until how long the President of the Republic has to choose a new PM, but presumably the guideline is centered on Article 76 of the Constitution.
Within the hour

reports of tear gas and gunfire near Hikma Complex in Najaf.


Within the hour

Zero Hour has been set to hand over the Hakim Shrine to security forces. Sadr's aide met with Najaf Police Commander and they reached an agreement for Blue Hats to take over protection of protesters while police take Hakim Shrine.

(cont)
The Saraya Ashura elements in Hikma Complex are required to vacate the premises while handing over the perpetrators responsible for the killing of protesters on November 27th.
Al-Hout Prison in Nasiriyah receives reinforcements to prevent any potential breaches. Reminder that ISIS are kept there.
Reports that the Consulate was burned for a 3rd time.
The house of former Diwaniyah Police Chief Major General Farqad Al-Issawi was burned earlier. It's located within Dagharah district and there were no casualties.

Photo is via Al-Mirbad.
Reports that protesters were able to take control of Ahrar Bridge last night.
Prime Minister stripped the Minister of Defense of powers concerning the rotation of military commanders in top positions and instead gave them to the Army Chief of Staff.
Ministry of Defense is pushing back against this, because this morning they confirmed that Lt. Gen. Jamil Shammari did not give an order to shoot protesters.

They're backing his original statement from the looks of it (see next reply)
Based on this, it seems that blame is being attributed to ONLY the ERD troops who were present near Zaytoun Bridge and opened fire on the protesters, not even their own chain of command.
That being said, the investigation is ongoing. A delegation from the Security & Defense Committee arrived to Nasiriyah this morning.
...evidently the MOD deleted their statement.
Federal Police sent 500 officers to Al-Hout and 150 to Basra Central Prison as part of tightening security measures amid the protests.
Previous tweet deleted, but it was reported about 12 hours ago that the Consulate was burned for a 4th time, not just now.

My questions remain: Why is there no cordon around this site and what do protesters aim to accomplish?
PMF and supporters did have their own demonstration at Tahrir Square which took place this morning but they have since withdrawn. Their intent doesn't exactly line up with the demands of the protesters who've been at Tahrir Square since day one.
About the stabbing incident today

What happened is that a group refused to be searched by protesters near the Republic Bridge who were in charge of maintaining the peace there. That refusal turned into a brawl and it's unrelated to the PMF demonstration.
Now

Clashes (possibly armed) going at Khalani Square - Sinak Bridge axis with reports that security forces had to withdraw.
Continued from previous

Unknown group started throwing molotovs at protesters and gunfire ensued.

There aren't security forces in this area, they're on Sinak Bridge itself.
Photos of the Unknowns, they arrived to the area near Sinak about an hour ago
Images from the Sinak event, this was going on for the past hour
Reports of at least 10 protesters dead.
Now

Iraq Army clashing with the Unknowns
Saraya Salam intervening to support the Army in capturing or killing the shooters.
Reports that Saraya Salam's Rapid Intervention force arrived to Khalani Square moments ago.
Seems that the Army didn't intervene at all because none of the units deployed in the protests have their weapons with them.
Reports now that the vehicles the shooters used near Sinak Bridge were surrounded by security forces.
Reports about gunmen spreading on the buildings overlooking Khalani Square and Sinak Bridge.

A group of protesters is trapped in the crossfire between the shooters and security forces at Sinak.
The situation is controlled by security forces but the fate of the shooters isn't known yet.

Residents of Sadr City took to the streets to support the protesters.
The shooters were able to escape and the MOI has opened an investigation into the attack.
shooters never fully withdrew, there's been sporadic gunfire throughout the night.

As far as what's known, it's more than 5 vehicles with a mix of pick-up trucks and vans.
Sinak Garage back under control of protesters after last night's events.
Saraya Salam Blue Hats captured one of the shooters last night.
Clip said to show the gunmen from last night:
facebook.com/Iraq222news/vi… The other clip going around is this one which claims that Blue Hats caught one of the shooters.
In response to the shootings last night, protesters in Kut, Wasit Governorate closed the Badra Bridge with burning tires, which links to the Mehran Crossing with Iran.

Protesters also took to the streets in Hilla, Babil Governorate.
This particular scene is when they withdrew from Khalani Square towards the Sinak Bridge.
Finally able to do a direct upload with a video showing one of the captured shooters:
protesters were able to seize one of the vehicles last night. What happened is that a literal human wave stormed the Sinak Garage at some point in the night before the gunmen left the area.
Blue Hats / Saraya Salam at Tahrir Square this morning, they've taken over the duties of searching everyone who approaches this site.
To clarify the video and to reiterate what was already stated in the thread, this shooter was captured by the Blue Hats / Saraya Salam. The reason why some of the men are wearing masks is because they were from the Rapid Intervention within Brigade 313/314
Baghdad Operations Commander just announced the deployment of Army units to Khalani Square and Sinak Bridge in response to last night's events.
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TØM CΛT
@TomtheBasedCat
Tell me more about the Sky News crew being deliberately targeted amid medium-range combat when the BMP they were filming belonged to HTS which proves they were on the same grounds as them.

You think those numbers mean nothing? So this is what it's come down to huh?
middleeasteye.net/news/charities…

HTS is designated as terrorist organization by the UK. Official government document can be viewed here: assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/upl…

page 8, at the very bottom.
And as a closing note: If anyone had actually watched BAK's video, they'd see that he stated the BMP "was just hit, you can look around this is all fresh, it was just hit..."

Meaning that Sky News was filming in this same moment. As if the smoke wasn't obvious enough.
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