ERBIL, Kurdistan Region – Iraq has lost more than $6 billion due to nationwide protests, according to statements made at a press conference on Wednesday by Major Gen. Abdul-Karim Khalaf, a spokesman for Iraqi Prime Minister Adel Abdul-Mahdi.
Khalaf announced that the main reason for the revenue loss was the blockade of all roads leading to Umm Qasr port in Basra.
Umm Qasr holds economic and strategic importance as Iraq's only deep-water port, and it is one of the main conduits for vegetable, food, medicine and other imports into the country.
Thousands of anti-government protesters blocked every road leading to the port on Wednesday, causing the port to halt all operations. The government officially closed the port on Saturday.
"Iraq has lost more than 6$ billion due to closure of Umm Qasr port, after protesters blocked all the roads that leads to the port," Khalaf said. "Blocking the roads and bridges will only harm the Iraqi economy."
Khalaf condemned the blockade of roads and bridges during the press conference, and warned all protesters that "Iraqi security forces will immediately arrest any protester or individual who blocks the roads and bridges from now on, as we will also make sure not to let anyone to get close to the ports and the oil fields".
In a tweet on Wednesday, the United Nations' Special Envoy to Iraq, Jeanine Hennis-Plasschaert, called on protesters to avoid blocking roads to oil installations and ports, as they cause "billions in losses" and undermine the fulfillment of protesters' legitimate demands.
"Disruption of critical infrastructure also of grave concern. Responsibility of all to protect public facilities. Threats/closures of roads to oil installations, ports causing billions in losses. Detrimental to Iraq's economy, undermines fulfilling protesters' legitimate demands," Hennis-Plasschaert tweeted.
The port blockade and accompanying demonstrations are the latest actions in a wave of unrest that first spilled over southern Iraq in early October, as Iraqis took to the streets to demand action on unemployment, inadequate civil services and rampant corruption.
Protests died down during the observance of Arbaeen, a Shiite religious holiday, on October 19-20, but quickly resumed on October 25 - this time with the protesters demanding a revolution to sweep away old political parties that have consolidated power in Iraq since the 2005 elections.
Despite the damage to the national economy and the danger of injury or even death at the hands of security forces, the Iraqi government's weak response to the demands of citizens has pushed protesters to pursue more drastic actions.
The government has taken some half-measures to quell the protests, pledging to end corruption, deliver more job opportunities, and provide welfare support to Iraqi society's poorest. Iraqi Prime Minister Adil Abdul-Mahdi announced a new "package" of unspecified reforms on Tuesday, and a measure to hire 2018-19 graduates of oil training institutes at the Ministry of Oil.
Despite the numerous packages offered by Abdul-Mahdi since October 1, the protests have only grown, and are now calling for governmental change.
Thousands of citizens have started blocking roads, streets, and bridges in order to pressure the government to consider popular demands.
On Saturday, the Iraqi High Commission for Human Rights (IHCHR) reported that at least 120 protesters were wounded in clashes with security forces in Umm Qasr, and that security forces used excessive tear gas.
While Khalaf stated that "there are serious orders to not use live ammunition in any position or circumstances", the IHCHR reported that security forces have used live ammunition against protesters multiple times across Iraq. Casualties are mounting, but exact figures are difficult to obtain- IHCHR has not publicly the latest casualty figures since last Wednesday.
The latest IHCHR report stated that across the country, at least 100 people died and more than 5500 others were wounded in clashes between protesters and security forces this past weekend alone. 257 Iraqis have been killed and 10,000 wounded since the protests first started on October 1.
On Wednesday, the US embassy in Baghdad issued a strong statement calling on Iraqi leaders to “seriously and urgently” start engaging with Iraqi citizens who are demanding reforms.
“As the world watches events in Iraq unfold it is increasingly clear that the government of Iraq and the country’s political leaders must engage seriously and urgently with Iraqi citizens who are demanding reform,” the statement reads.
The US embassy also “deplored” the that killings and kidnappings of unarmed protesters, and the threats that are being imposed on “freedom of expression”, adding that “Iraqis must be free to make their own choices about the future of their nation.”
