Iraqi journalist: "Nothing remains of Iraq, decisions to be made by Iran, US, Turkey"
GercekNews's Bilgehan Ucak interviewed Iraqi journalist and activist Shaye Kaka who told that supporters of Iraqi opposition leader Muqtada al-Sadr have continued to hold demonstrations in Baghdad's Tahrir Square on Saturday.
Kaka answered Ucak's questions regarding the motive behind the recent Sadrist demonstrations and the possible outcomes.
What’s happening now in Baghdad?
Supporters of Iraqi opposition leader Muqtada al-Sadr continue with their demonstration in Baghdad's Tahrir Square today. The demonstration came two days after hundreds of Sadr supporters entered the Green Zone to reject Mohammed Shia Sudani, the Coordination Framework's candidate for the post of prime minister. They later withdrew and left the parliament building on the orders of their leader. Staging mass rallies and controlling demonstrations is a strategy used by Sadr. According to the Iraqi Health Ministry, there are currently more than 100 injuries reported, and 25 of the injured are members of security forces. There is also a rumor that a person was killed, but it has not been confirmed yet.
What does Sadr want to do?
After the election in October last year, the Coordination Framework won the majority of the seats in the Parliament, and this was not acceptable for Sadr. He made all kinds of efforts to take control, but he couldn't, so he withdrew from the Parliament, and now he is trying to move the streets of Iraq against the Coordination Framework. As I've said before, this is one of Sadr's strategies.
Can Sadr achieve his objectives?
It is not possible to predict the possible outcomes in Iraq. No one can be sure about what is going to happen tomorrow. You see today that the Parliament was meant to hold a session to elect a president and a prime minister for the government, but this is what happened instead. What we can say is that the country and the people do not benefit from what is going on right now, and wise are the ones who will not let themselves become toys in this game.
Can Iraq become a modern state after all that has happened?
Everyone knows that Iraq is merely a name for this land, but in reality, under the surface, nothing remains of Iraq. It is Iran, United States and Turkey who will now decide who the next prime minister will be, and who will be the president. Everything is controlled by external forces. So, as long as Iraq remains to be merely a name, it cannot become a modern country.
