MECRA
A "massacre" in Nasiriyah in Iraq as Iraqi protests reach two month turning point
By SETH J. FRANTZMAN Two months of protest have reached what could be a turning point or crescendo as large movements of Iraqi forces...
top of page
MECRA RESEARCH BLOG
The MECRA research blog is composed of short articles and may include outside contributions. The views expressed in these blogs and articles are the author's own and do not necessarily reflect the Middle East Center for Reporting and Analysis editorial stance.
Search
MECRA
- Nov 26, 2019
- 3 min
Photo essay: Iraq's two months of protests: Inside the everyday life of the protesters' camp
Photos and text by ADAM LUCENTE Youth, gaming culture and humor flourish in Baghdad’s Tahrir Square protests BAGHDAD, Iraq – The posters...
MECRA
- Nov 7, 2019
- 4 min
Iraq: A doctor describes the recent protests and battle for Sinak bridge in Baghdad
By KB Interview with Doctor Mustafa, chief of staff of the mobile clinics at the Republic brigade and Sinak bridges in Baghdad. I am a...
MECRA
- Oct 30, 2019
- 6 min
Increasing evidence of Iran's role in crackdown on protests in Iraq
By SETH J. FRANTZMAN Iraq's month-long protests have led to more than 200 deaths, mostly of protesters killed by Iraqi Security Forces...
MECRA
- Oct 29, 2019
- 4 min
Sources close to PMU reveal role of Badr, AAH and pro-Iranian groups in suppressing Iraqi protests
Excerpts from the testimony of ‘Mohammed,’ an individual close to the PMU Interviewed October 27, 2019 Can you describe what is happening...
MECRA
- Oct 24, 2019
- 8 min
The US Syria withdrawal Oct 6-23: Documents, maps and confusion
By SETH J. FRANTZMAN On October 6, 2019 US President Donald Trump announced the US would withdraw from part of Syria, paving the way for...
MECRA
- Oct 19, 2019
- 1 min
PHOTO ESSAY: The refugees fleeing Turkey's offensive in Syria
A photo essay shows refugees who arrived after fleeing fighting and the Turkish offensive in Syria. They arrived to refugee camps in...
MECRA
- Oct 19, 2019
- 3 min
Testimony of Kurdish Refugees from Sere Kaniye (Ras al-Ain) and Ger Balat
The following are excerpts from interviews conducted by Kareem Botane with Syrian Kurdish refugees who succeeded in reaching Iraqi...
MECRA
- Oct 7, 2019
- 4 min
Protests in Iraq Testimony from the frontline, Iranian passports found
Testimony of Mousa Rahmatallah, 28, a participant in the demonstrations in Baghdad: KB conducted the interview, MECRA edited it for...
MECRA
- Oct 4, 2019
- 4 min
Reactions of Iraqi political leaders to protests
Four days of protests in Iraq, in which dozens had been killed by October 4 and thousands injured, have brought only limited reactions...
MECRA
- Oct 3, 2019
- 6 min
On the frontlines of the protests in Baghdad: "Friday we will see armed struggle"
Interviewed, translated and transcribed by KB What follows is an interview with a demonstrator who took part in the demonstrations in...
MECRA
- Sep 28, 2019
- 4 min
"We are all al-Saadi": The controversy around Iraq's PM and the removal of CTS commander
A hashtag spreading on social media in support of CTS commander Lt. Gen. Abdul Wahab al-Saadi (عبد الوهاب الساعدي) is calling into...
MECRA
- Sep 10, 2019
- 4 min
Recent reports about the PMU's role in Iraq
Recent weeks have brought into the spotlight the role of the Hashd al-Sha'abi or Popular Mobilization Units in Iraq. This comes amid...
MECRA
- Sep 10, 2019
- 4 min
Media timeline II of PMU and alleged airstrikes, tensions
In July and August tensions rose with the Hashd al-Shaabi (PMU) in Iraq due to internal politics, such as controversies in Nineveh...
MECRA
- Aug 21, 2019
- 7 min
Timeline: Tracking reports of mysterious explosions and "airstrikes" in Iraq directed at PMU bases
Recent reports of explosions at bases of the Hashd al-Shaabi or Popular Mobilization Units in Iraq have led to claims that a foreign...
MECRA
- Aug 20, 2019
- 11 min
Tensions Follow Iraqi Government Decision to Withdraw the Hashd Al-Shaabi from the Nineveh Plain
MECRA's Iraq reporter recently carried out a reporting trip into the Nineveh (Ninawa) area, speaking to officials and commanders and...
MECRA
- Aug 7, 2019
- 5 min
An Iraqi-Kurdish MP discusses the importance of good relations with Baghdad
By LAURA KELLY Sarkawt Shamsulddin left the ’New Generation’ party to start the ‘Future Parliamentary Group,’ a rare voice in calling for...
MECRA
- Aug 5, 2019
- 2 min
Protest after PMU's 30th Brigade in Nineveh asked to withdraw
Protests broke out near the town of Bazwaya just east of Mosul on August 5. The protesters held signs in support of the local Hashd...
MECRA
- Jun 27, 2019
- 2 min
Protesters target Bahrain embassy in Baghdad
Protesters targeted the Bahrain embassy (السفارة البحرينية) in Baghdad on Thursday night in the wake of the US-backed conference in...
MECRA
- May 26, 2019
- 3 min
Iran's FM Zarif meets Badr's Hadi al-Amiri
During a trip to Iraq by Iran's Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif (محمد جواد ظريف) on Sunday May 26, the Iranian met with Badr...
bottom of page