02 March 2011

By Dirk Adriaensens

Underneath are a few comments and statements I compiled, sent to me by different Iraqi persons. It's necessary to counter the near total media blackout on Iraqi protests, that have been going on in every major Iraqi town the past weeks. These protests culminate today in a "National Day of Rage", organized by the heroic Iraqi youth. Spread the news. Let the world know what is happening in Iraq.

It is late at night or rather it is early Friday 25th February, 2011 - the day that all Iraqis chose to call The Great Day of Anger - it is the result of the slow rumblings of the Iraqi People's anger about the past 8 years of destruction, pillage and plunder, rape, and total catastrophe. The demonstrations will continue and will get larger.

The Iraqi People are demonstrating against corruption, absolute and abysmal poverty, unemployment, total lack of services, and occupation, and very importantly corruption - administrative and fiscal corruption ; they are also demonstrating demanding freedom and human dignity and the immediate expulsion of the Occupation. They are demonstrating for Iraq and have come together as Iraqis.

Yesterday's events started off with an amusing speech by Maliki asking people not to demonstrate on Friday! He described the demonstrators as "the enemies of freedom"! Any other day but Friday and he looked really frightened.

They have banned the press and closed streets in Baghdad.

It has been leaked that the General from Heet, General Nassir Alghanim, who has terrorised the people of Mosul has run away with 450 soldiers - we do not know their ranks. This news will be confirmed later.

In the meantime

Colonel Hameed Kadhim in the Minsitry of Interior - Director of Training of Police has resigned because he has refused to obey orders to beatup the demonstrators. In the meantime 6 anti riot units have sbeen stationed throughout Abu Nawwas and Tahrir Square and have been ordered to beat up the demonstrators. Also, the Meesan anti riot batallion which is made up of the Da'awa Party Militia has been brought in to Tahrir Square.

The authorities are going round house to house making people sign undertakings that they will not go out and demonstrate - regrettably some members of parliament in the Iraqiya block have also done this in the Anbar province as well as in A'adhamiya! ID Cards are being confiscated so that these young people are stopped at check points and barred from joining the demonstrations.

The Muthanna regiment has surrounded Abu Ghraib and raided houses as well as taken ID Cards from demonstration leaders in that area. It has also imposed a curfew there.

All vehichles have been banned from coming into central Baghdad as well as all TV vans which relay live! Firdaws Square has been closed up for reasons of repairs!

Muntathar Al - Zaidy has been arrested in A'adhamiya.
The Baghdadiya reporter, Meenas, was arrested by police dressed in civillian clothes in Tahrir Square - he was in the Square without his cameraman - among the demonstrators.

Government officials were caught in Baghdad airport before catching a plane with USD1.2 million and the money impounded.

A journalist friend of mine in Baghdad tells me that there is a chilling atmosphere in Baghdad and I quote:"The mood here is chilling. There is an obvious intimidation tactic applied here. I saw riot police practiciing today. maliki's speeches, sadr and sistani's statements. It's insane."

It is also reported that a great number of senior officials, ministers and members of parliament have left the country.

The Chairman of Baghdad Provincial Council has issued a ban on all slogans that state that the government and/or the Provincial Council Chairman and Members of Baghdad should go! As for the Basra Chairman of the Provincial Council, Shiltagh, he actually stated publicly at The Prophet's Birthday celebrations, to an audience of senior tribal leaders as well as religious persons, that Tunisian prostitutes are more honourable than the demosntrators whence a fight broke out - this was recorded by all the media including satellite stations!"

Pray for Iraq!

Asma

Muntathar Al Zaidy's brother's message:

To the great young people of Iraq,

In the afternoon today 24/02/2011 mercenaries of al-Maliki arrested my own brothers Muntathar Al Zaidy and Dhergham Al Zaidy in the hope of sabotaging the demonstration.

As they have done with me when they tortured me and broke my foot only a couple of weeks ago. But they are stupid because they cannot understand that this revolution has not one leader or a president. If they wish to arrest all the leaders of this blessed Intifadha, then they need to arrest one million from our youth.

We would like to say to the enemies that Lt. Gen. Abdul Aziz al-Kubaisi, Muntathar, Uday and Dhargam Al Zaidy and the rest of our youths are only the advocates for the Iraqi people. The majority of Iraqis are on our side as we hold the occupation government responsible for their safety and welfare until they are released, and tomorrow will raise a banner demanding the release of all detainees, including our mentioned brothers. So my brothers and sisters, do not let these events affect your determination and motivation to turn up bright and early to our demonstration tomorrow 25th Feb 2011.i

We have divided the preparatory Committee members to several sub committees, including ..

1. Security Committee and its mission to maintain the security of the demonstration, in collaboration with the good people of our brothers in the army and police to stop the agence provocateur in their tacks from lurking in our midst and sabotaging our mission. These agents will no doubt be planted by the government and some of the opportunist political parties.

2. Media Committee : our aim is to discreetly record and send photos and video clips via the Internet and monitor violations by the security services.

3. The Stewarding Committee: Its mission is ensure an orderly protest and chanting slogans. It will prevent any lifting of a politically motivated banner or any sectarianism and racism on the banners. Only Iraqi flags and banners agreed in the Preparatory Committee, calling for the exit of the occupiers and their stooges.

4. Medical Committee, which consists of four volunteer doctors and three medical assistants, its mission is to treat the sick and the wounded if we come under attack or in case of an emergency God forbid ..

We call upon our brothers and sisters the demonstrators to stay away as much as possible the security services and to avoid causing any friction with them whatever they do and however provocatively they may behave.
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Beware of any unidentifiable objects you might come across, just inform the nearest steward about it.

Long live Iraq, free and united

Long live our dignified mighty people,

May peace and God's mercy and blessings be upon you

Uday al-Zaidi

©  EsinIslam.Com

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