Iran is worried about the ongoing protests in Iraq. Iran’s Supreme leader warns of enemies that wanted to overthrow the “Region into Chaos”. The protests are also directed against the influence of Iran.
Iraqis and Lebanese should make their demands within the law, urged the Supreme Iranian leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. On Wednesday, Khamenei stressed that safety is the most Important thing for any Nation.
For weeks now the people are demonstrating in Iraq and in Lebanon against corruption and mismanagement. In the Lebanon Premier Saad Hariri, was driven to resign. In Iraq, the protesters are opposed to a mere Cabinet reshuffle. They are calling for basic reforms.
Khamenei, who called Iran as “an island of stability” in the Middle East, warns that the protesters in Iraq and Lebanon in front of “Chaos”. He accuses the United States and some countries in the Region, the population in Iraq and Lebanon, to rise in Rebellion against their lawful governments goad. Such plans would have forged “the enemies” for Iran. Now, you wanted to drive a wedge between the neighbouring countries. This conspiracy will fail, so Iran’s religious leaders.
Protest in Baghdad’s Central Tahrir square at the beginning of the week
Protection of power occurs as the oppressors
Both in Iraq and also in Lebanon, Iran is allied partners closely with the makes. Particularly in the neighboring country of Iraq, Iran has gained after the fall of Saddam Hussein through the United States great influence. The Iranian leadership sees itself as a protecting power of the Shiites, and supported Shiite militias and politicians in Iraq and Lebanon.
“Particularly in Iraq, this is a painful issue for the people,” stressed Hasan Hashemian, an expert on Iranian-Arab relations. Until 2009, Hashemian worked as a Professor of political science and sociology in Tehran. Because of his critical attitude, he was summoned several times by security forces. Now he lives in the USA. “The protests in Iraq are directed against the growing influence of Iran. And the people want to know who shot you”.
Over 230 people died in the protests in Iraq have so far claimed the lives of. Several were shot. Eye-witness reports of masked armed men who take the protesters under fire. In the suspicion of the Shiite militias are, you have a direct line to Tehran. 27. October circulated a Video on social media, in which the commander of the Shiite Imam Ali brigades wounded in a hospital. Angry protesters, Abu Azrael to so-called “angel of death”, have attacked
Al-Quds force commander Qassam Soleimani (l) with the Vice-commander of the Shiite militias in Iraq, Abu Mahdi al Muhandis
.
Iran’s Expertise for suppression of protests
Already a day after the outbreak of anti-government protests in Iraq a month ago, the Iranian General Kassim Soleimani in the night by helicopter to Baghdad’s Green Zone arrived and a meeting have passed senior Iraqi security official. This is the AP news Agency learned now. The 61-Year-old General is the leader of the Quds brigades, the foreign force of the Iranian revolutionary guards, and is considered to be one of the most influential men in the Middle East. Soleimani had also headed the Shiite militias in the fight against the IS in Iraq. “We know in Iran, how to deal with protests” should Soleimani, according to two Iraqi participants in the meeting said. “This is also happening in Iran, and we have it under control.”
“The response of the Iraqi government to the protests reminds me of the reaction of the government in Tehran on the country-wide protests in Iran to 2018 and 2009,” says Ali Afshari. The Iranian political activist continues: “the response of The security forces in Iran was short: beat brutally! Behind these protests, the spiritual and political leader of Iran, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, to the present ‘plans of the enemies of Iran sees’.”
In fact, the first wave of protest has been beaten in Iraq brutally. After a short break, but the protests flared up again and reached even to the Holy city of the Shiites: Karbala, about 100 kilometers South of Baghdad. Here on August 29.October, several people shot. The shots were about two kilometers away from the Imam Hussein Shrine, one of the most important pilgrimage sites for Shiite Muslims. Eyewitnesses reported that hundreds of protesters have erected a tent camp for a Blockade.
Include the centers of the protests in the Shia regions of Karbala and Nasiriya
Shiites in Iraq are losing confidence
“A serious Problem for the government in Iraq, the fact that the protests of the majority to focus on Shiite cities and regions of Iraq,” says the exile in the US living Afshari. Shiites make up the majority of the Iraqi population. “This shows that the Shiite parties in Iraq are experiencing a crisis of acceptance and trust. For the Iraqi government, it is impossible to meet the demands or to create promising perspectives.”
This Situation is for Iran to be dangerous. Angry protesters tearing pictures of General Kassim Soleimani, burn the Iranian flag and shouting “Down with Iran”. Iran can extend its influence in the Region. But in the end, he threatens to reap hatred and resistance, because its allies will not be able to meet the demands of the people.