Blog Post 7: Iraq March 19th, 2011 to March 25th, 2011

News of the protests in Iraq has resurfaced in the wake of the Japan disaster. First, Azzaman News reports that the city of Falluja was given a curfew on the 19th. The curfew was a response to anti-government demonstrations against security officials and U.S. troops, such as bombings of three houses of police officers and a roadside bombing against a U.S. convoy. Some of the local neighborhoods were cordoned off and there were several arrests.

A woman protester demanding the release of her family

CNN posted an update on the protests on the 25th. People continued their protests on corruption, unemployment, treatment of prisoners, and basic services in the rain in Tahrir Square. There were even women there that were demanding the release of their loved ones, who have been held for months without charges. Protest fever has even infiltrated the prisons, too. There was another prison riot on the 24th, this time in Rasafa Prison in Baghdad. Tents were burned and there was fighting until prison guards had to use lethal force to quash the riot, wounding 15.

Senior security officers were targeted this week by gunmen armed with silenced weapons. Sources within the Interior Ministry said that there were at least eight killed in three days. Among those killed were a Lieutenant General, a Major General, a Major and a Captain. All these officers were ranking members of the Iraqi Army. These assassinations have vacated the positions of Minister of Interior, Minister of Defense and Minister of National Security. Prime Minister Maliki has yet to fill these positions.