Mideast: Iraq’s Pro-Iranian Militias Are Killing Experts, Activists, and Protestors
SAFIN HAMED
On July 6th, 2020 Hisham al-Hashemi was shot dead just outside his home in Zayouna, Baghdad. His death sparked outrage and mourning both in Iraq and the diaspora, with many coming out to share their condolences for the researcher. Al-Hashimi was a well-known expert in Iraq’s security affairs and counter-terrorism. Shortly before his death al-Hashemi wrote a insightful analysis of the structure of the Popular Mobilization Forces, a group of militias that include pro-Iranian elements most notably the Badr Brigades, Kataib Hezbollah and Asa’ib Ahl al-Haq. Al-Hashemi was a known authority on militia groups in the country, especially on ISIS and other Sunni extremist groups, although he was also known for his work on the Shiite dominated PMF. His work brought him death threats from Katai’b Hezbollah who threatened to assassinate him before his eventual death and whom have on other occasions threatened other experts similar to him. His final paper would expose the Lebanese group Hezbollah’s money laundering network in Iraq and expose the ways in which the Iranian Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps laundered money to fund terrorism across the region. His assailants are most probably Kataib Hezbollah themselves, who are demonstrating an increasing pattern of behavior centered around targeting activists and protesters within Iraq.
Basra Activist Killings
More recently, two activists have been shot dead in Iraq’s Basra governorate. Tahseen Osama, whom was killed on August 14th, and Riham Yaqoob, killed on the 20th, were likely targeted by the Iranian-backed militias as protests continued to rage in the country. Demonstrations began after Osama’s death and security forces shortly began opening fire on protesters which were temporarily calmed by Iraq’s Prime Minister’s firing of Basra’s police and national security chiefs. But after Yaqoob’s death protests began to rage again.
Riham Yaqoob, a doctor and fitness instructor, was a well-known activist in Iraq’s protest scene and her campaigning for women’s rights and against the power of pro-Iranian militias in Iraq led to her receiving multiple death threats. Her death, again probably at the hands of pro-Iranian groups notably Kataib Hezbollah, catalyzed another wave of violent protests in Basra and led protesters to set fire on parliament and Shiite party offices, while two other activists survived assassination attempts.
Prime Minister Kadhimi whom vowed to “rein in the militias” has promised that justice would be served for the slain Basra activists, shortly after coming back from his trip to the United States where he met with the American president. Going so far as to say “on the blood of the martyr, that her killers will not escape punishment no matter how long it takes, and that the blood of the martyr Reham and martyr Hisham al-Hashemi, and martyr Tahseen Osama will be avenged.” Whether this vow will be fulfilled will have to be seen, as Kadhimi takes on the difficult task in engaging with the powerful pro-Iranian militias that have controlled Iraq’s security scene for the past six years. Iraq’s UN Mission has also expressed its sentiments, condemning the attacks and pointing out the threat that killings pose for security and stability.
Pro-Iranian Militias and Iraqi Protests
Events of the past couple of months, where experts and activists have been targeted and killed by elusive elements of pro-Iranian militias in Iraq, whom are made up themselves of factions of the Popular Mobilization Forces which helped to liberate Iraq’s north from ISIS in past years, follows a larger pattern of intimidation attempts to curb Iraqi demonstrations.
Since fall 2019, protests in Iraq have been waged sporadically and have subsequently been put down by Iraq’s security forces and pro-Iranian militias. These militias, whom have in the past used the protests for their own ambitions, have attacked protesters who have demonstrated for the end of Iranian influence in the country and have through coordinated marches attempted to quell and ruin demonstrations. This pattern has continued in Iraq’s south where once again protesters are being attacked. 565 protesters and security personal have been killed since demonstrations began in October, and with recent happenings it seems that the conflict between protesters and Iran-backed fighters is coming to a dangerous climax.
The protests happening in Iraq, that call for the end of Iraq’s corrupt political system and the influence of Iran on the country, poses a threat for pro-Iranian militias whom rely on the political infrastructure of the Iraqi state, with its patronage networks and clientelist leanings, to continue exerting power in the country. This, coupled with anti-Iranian government sentiments that threaten their relationship with the regional power and the many material resources it provides to militias in Iraq, as well as access to its network of pro-Iranian actors across the region, makes protesters and their sentiments a prime target for censoring.
A Better Future?
Will the militias be reined in and punished for their targeting of protesters? This will depend on the ability of the Iraq’s prime-minister to stand up to the militias and earn the support of the political, social, and religious elite around him that wield control over Iraq’s security forces and over much of the same population that pro-Iranian militias find support from. Perhaps as important to reining in the militia however will be demonstrating solidarity with protesters and making concrete steps to protecting them from pro-Iranian antagonistic elements.
In a heartbreaking obituary written by Renad Mansour, a colleague of Hisham al-Hashimi, he recalls the late expert saying “The situation here isn’t good. The government doesn’t seem willing to upset the political parties. It’s not moving against the system. Corruption is everywhere and there’s no hope.” This indeed is a grim reality for Iraq and its protesters . But he went on to say, speaking to his colleague, “We need to write about this. You, me – we need to write.” Perhaps a reassuring statement. That although Iraq’s political situation and targeting against protesters continues, that informing others about what’s happening may bring about change. For Iraqi protesters who are demonstrating for change, pro-Iranian militias represent a formidable obstacle. But they are continuing to protest all the same. Perhaps knowing that these militias are but a temporary obstacle in the way of positive change in Iraq. Whether protesters will succeed in transforming Iraq is to be seen. But at least by writing about how pro-Iranian militias are killing experts, activists and protesters , one can garner more information about what’s happening in Iraq and understand how to help it better. And indeed, that’s what Iraqis are trying to do when they take to the streets and confront militias head on.
