Iraq Protests: Spontaneous or Made in the USA

by Stephen Lendman (stephenlendman.org - Home - Stephen Lendman)

Time and again, when peaceful protests turn violent in various countries, US dirty hands are involved.

There's no ambiguity about months of protests in Hong Kong, US dirty hands all over them, local elements involved having met with Trump regime and congressional officials, as well as a US consular one in the city.

Nearly a week of violent protests in Baghdad and elsewhere in Iraq, killing over 100, injuring thousands, security forces among the dead and wounded, bear similarity to the US-orchestrated late 2013/early 2014 color revolution in Ukraine.

The Euromaidan uprising was and remains all about replacing independent democratic governance with pro-Western fascist rule — controlled by the US.

Russia and then-Ukrainian President Yanukovich were falsely blamed for sniper shootings of protesters and police, killing around 100 people, injuring hundreds more.

Then-Estonian Foreign Minister Urmas Paet said "there is now stronger and stronger understanding that behind the snipers, it was not Yanukovich, but it was somebody from the new (putschist) coalition."

"All the evidence shows" they were shooting at people from both sides. They targeted police and protesters. 

Kiev Dr. Olga Bogomolets reported the same thing, citing photos for proof. Paet called her evidence "quite disturbing."

Snipers were likely CIA-recruited neo-Nazi hitmen. Shots came from one or more buildings overlooking the Maidan.

Snipers with automatic weapons were inside. Eyewitnesses saw them leaving the area's Philharmonic Hall, carrying military-style bags used for sniper and assault rifles with optical sights.

Former Ukrainian Security Service head Aleksandr Yakimenko confirmed what happened, planned well in advance he said, adding:

Elements involved "carried out everything that they were told by their leadership – the United States." Maidan leaders practically lived at Washington's embassy, he stressed.

The battle for Ukraine's soul was lost, Washington gaining an imperial trophy bordering Russia.

Is what's going on in Baghdad and elsewhere in Iraq similar to US-orchestrated Hong Kong protests and the Obama regime's coup in Ukraine?

Long-suffering Iraqis have legitimate grievances, notably rampant corruption, high unemployment, impoverishment affecting millions, the nation's youths notably affected, and lack of essential to life public services.

This is unacceptably going on in the oil-rich country with the world's fifth largest reserves, its ruling authorities serving privileged interests and themselves exclusively, subjecting ordinary people to neoliberal harshness.

Therein lies the root cause of what's going on. Extreme violence causing thousands of casualties, along with setting dozens of public and private buildings ablaze, storming others, raises red flags — a scenario appearing like dirty hands behind it.

Iraq's interior ministry spokesman Saad Maan denied security forces were using live fire on protesters, adding "malicious hands" are targeting ordinary Iraqis, police, and other government forces.

Over the weekend, US-installed prime minister Adel Abdul Mahdi's cabinet issued a decree, including over a dozen intended reforms, notably land distribution, increased welfare payments for needy families, 100,000 new housing units, and benefits for the unemployed — if follow-through actually occurs and makes a difference.

Individuals killed were declared "martyrs," their families granted special benefits.

Iraqi ruling authorities are allied with the US and Iran, its split loyalty riling Trump regime hardliners, wanting Baghdad allied with their war on the Islamic Republic by other means, along with their overall regional agenda.

They're reportedly furious over Mahdi blaming Israel for terror-bombing sites in Iraq, opening the al-Qaem crossing between the country and Syria, along with expressing interest in buying Russian S-400 air defense systems and other military hardware from the country, partnering with China to construct essential infrastructure in exchange for oil, and choosing a German company over a US one for an electricity project.

The Trump regime is especially angry over normalized Iran-Iraq relations. Baghdad is notably dependent on Tehran for natural gas and electricity. Both countries share a common border.

Mahdi has tried to stay neutral to avoid greater regional conflict, rather than ally with the US, Israel and the Saudis against Iran. All of the above leaves him vulnerable to regime change by the US.

Iranian leader Khamenei tweeted the following on Sunday: "Iran and Iraq are two nations whose hearts & souls are tied together through faith in God, love for Imam Hussein and the progeny of the Prophet (PBUH)." 

"This bond will grow stronger day by day. Enemies seek to sow discord but they've failed and their conspiracy won't be effective."

Various Arab media sources and independent observers believe the Trump regime is behind days of violent protests in Iraq, internal elements enlisted as proxies to serve its interests by destabilizing the country.

A statement from PM Mahdi's office said the following:

"(D)emonstrations were already planned a couple of months ago. Baghdad was working to try and ease the situation in the country, particularly since the demands of the population are legitimate."

"The prime minister has inherited the corrupt system that has developed since 2003. Hundreds of billions of dollars have been diverted into the pockets of corrupt politicians" — and the West not mentioned.

"(T)he (US) war on terror used not only all the country's resources but forced Iraq to borrow billions of dollars for the reconstruction of the security forces and other basic needs." 

"The latest demonstrations were supposed to be peaceful and legitimate because people have the right to express their discontent, concerns and frustration." 

"However, the course of events showed a different objective: 16 members of the security forces were killed along with tens of civilians, and many government and party buildings were set on fire and completely destroyed." 

"This sort of behavior has misdirected the real grievances of the population onto a disastrous course: creating chaos in the country. Who benefits from the disarray in Iraq?"

What's going on is likely connected to a failed plot to kill Quds Force commander of Iran's IRGC General Qassem Soleimani, a key figure in the country's counterintelligence operations.

The US seeks unchallenged regional control, part of what years of war on Iraq, Syria, and Yemen is all about.

Other US aggression in Central Asia, north Africa, and economic terror war on Iran remain ongoing for the same reason.

A Final Comment 

According to the Lebanon-based Arabic-language al-Akhbar broadsheet, the Trump regime planned ongoing violence and chaos in Iraq months earlier.

An unnamed Iraqi security source said US preparations were made for a "hot fall" in the country, adding:

The US and Saudis may have similar tactics planned in Iran and Lebanon.

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