NCRI – Millions of Iraqis have defied threats from their government on Friday to stage mass nationwide protests against prime minister Nouri al-Maliki.
Demonstrators also condemned the massacre of 38 protesters in al-Hawijah last month and demanded an end to the interference of the Iranian regime in their domestic affairs.
Protesters’ spokesman Dr Ahmad Alwani, also the President of the Iraqi parliament’s Economic Commission, said: “All options on the table. This is the beginning of a determined phase to get back our rights with action and not words.
“The protest camps are our red lines. We will neither allow Maliki nor anyone else to trespass our camps.
“The Iraqi people are aware of the ploys of some political parties to try to cancel the demonstrations, collect the protesters’ tents, change the place of the protest or delay be protests by two months. They also have issued a statement rejecting these conspiracies.
“We will not allow any intrusions against protesters under any conditions. The demonstrators, their symbols and their leader are our red lines that must not be crossed.”
Abdul-Qader Nael, a leading demonstrator in Ramadi, added: “The main goal is the overthrow of Maliki.”
And the city of Samera’s Friday preacher told protesters: “We offer these options. Whichever you choose, we will accept – exchange Maliki with someone that everyone votes for to form a new government, or going to war with Maliki.
“But we pray to God that this does not happen. Yet, if Maliki gives us no choice between giving up and resisting, we have no option but to resist.
“Standing down, which is what Maliki and his mercenaries want us to do, is completely off the table.”
In Falloujeh, a spokesman said protesters had ‘no fear’ of fighting. And in Kirkuk a speaker said of the massacre in al-Hawijah and said: “Which law allows innocent and unarmed people to be massacred?”
In Ramadi, another protester demanded of al-Maliki: “What do you want? What do you have to say about the blood you are spilling your masters in the Iranian regime?”
Other protests took place in the provinces of al-Anbar, Nainava, Sallahodin, Diyalah, Kirkuk and Baghdad.
In the capital, al-Maliki’s army imposed tight security and set up checkpoints to prevent people from taking part in Friday’s demonstrations.
Meanwhile, terrorist bombs killed dozens of Iraqis, with al-Rafedain TV reporting that an explosion in al-Ghafran Mosque in Rashedieh left more than 20 dead and injured.
