No, but I have friends who are keeping me in touch. The protests became very violent and erupted in many cities in middle and southern Iraq. I get videos every minute on social media. Iraqi PM addressed the country on Friday 1 am midnight and promised to reshuffle the the cabinet next week but that did not have any effect on the demonstrations.
Arab protests of 2019 (and beyond)
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The demonstration continues today despite the government warning the protesters.
Tahreer Square yesterday. Only a bridge from the famous green zone.
This video has been all over the social media of a 13 year old boy holding a banner at the republic bridge few meters away from the security forces protecting the green Zone, firing tear gas grenades and sound grenades while he stand still despite many people begging him to come back.
Anyone else think it will end very badly for Iraq and its people?
When has it never been bad for the Iraqis. Don’t think any living Iraqi has known peace or stability.
I like what i see
The demonstration continues today despite the government warning the protesters.
I dont remember so far back, but how is this compared to the syrian protests? Weren't they quite tame and then they just blew up?
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I barely made it out today. 
Left work right before Amal thugs arrived downtown to attack the protestors.
Left work right before Amal thugs arrived downtown to attack the protestors.
News of Iraqi president calling the PM to discuss the resignation of the government and to prepare for new elections. The Iraqi protesters wants much more than that, they want a whole new system with major changes in the constitution.
Hundreds of thousands are out today in various cities in Iraq. Refusing to obey the curfew and continuing the civil disobedience.
these pictures are taken few hours ago.
hundreds of thousands (maybe a million) in the famous Tahreer square where all the protesters are staying.
hundreds of thousands (maybe a million) in the famous Tahreer square where all the protesters are staying.
Well the Iraqi youth literally are living now in the Tahreer square. Hundreds of thousands stays there over night. The have built baths and temporary toilets, stationary temporary hospitals, even free food restaurants. I have relatives and friends staying there some of them at the dangerous zone were people got killed in the first line at the bridge. They will continue the civil disobedience to activate an article in the constitution to dismantle the government and the parliament and force the country to new elections.
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Hi 2cents.
In Sudan things have kind of settled. There are weekly Protests, today it was to demand investigations into the fate of the forcibly disappeared. The Protests are smaller than they used to be.
Negotiations with armed rebels from Darfur and Nuba mountains haven't shown much promise so far.
People are starting to realize the enormity of the task of rebuilding the country and realize that it will take a lot of work and time. That is if the army don't do a 'Sisi' and overthrow the civilian government. Overall the mood is cautiously optimistic.
I've watched the situations in Iraq and Lebanon from afar. A change across the whole region is long overdue, and in my opinion a matter of when, rather than if. I wish them all the best.
@Giggsyking I hope your relatives and everyone else is safe
Thank you.
Roads closed again in most of the Lebanese cities this morning after being open for most of last week. Looks like the protestors gave those in charge till tomorrow to form a new government before they start escalating.
Roads were closed again yesterday as people felt that the consultations to form a new government are taking too long (been 4 days so debatable).
Protesters want a technocratic government which raises a few problems.
Hariri wants to be PM, which won't work as he's not a technocrat. If he is PM then every other political party will want representation in the government.
If we do move towards a fully technocratic government, Hezbollah won't be involved which paves the way for the west to designate them as a terrorist organisation. Right now the military wing is designated as a terrorist group, but since they are represented in the government, the political wing isn't. So there's that issue.
I honestly don't see a way out of this right now unfortunately.
I just hope that the Lebanese Pound won't be affected and that we don't sink into violence.
Most roads in Lebanon are closed. I take a different road to work each day depending on which one is available. Worth noting that I work directly next to Burj Al Ghazal, so any action is directly below the office.
What Ballache said is true the parliament and Hezbollah.
So the economy is basically over and I might lose my job.
How is the economy basically over Slevs?
3rd week now. More than 350 dead and 15000 injured. The Iraqis have no intentions on going home. There is a large petition online to remove the UN representative Jeanine Hennis from her mission after she wrote a report siding more with the government than the Iraqi people.
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The protests continue
The economy has been getting worse ever since the 90s. Slowly over time. Like in the past 3 years, countless establishments have closed and others have let people go (including at my workplace). Banks recently cut off all credit to all businesses and consumer loans. Add to this the Lebanese lira vs US dollar issue.
So the head of department just came in the other day and said "look guys, we're probably letting go of half our staff". And he was dead serious.
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A young man was killed last night in front of his wife and child
Gunshot to the head
Gunshot to the head
Protesters protesting against corruption letting one of the most corrupt politicians pass through while taking pictures with him.
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Rumors of a military coup in Baghdad right now...
(Edit): appears to be nothing.
(Edit): appears to be nothing.
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I heard nothing from family and friends.
Seems the Special Forces Twitter account was hacked.
After the Iranian consulate in Karbala got it earlier in the month, tonight it was Najaf:
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Iranian consultate in Iraq's two most holy Shia cities. You'd expect the anti-Iranian sentiment in the nationalist Sunni heartlands, but the resentment spreading to their traditionally supportive heartlands is troubling news for the Ayatollah.
Dread to imagine how heavy handed the response from the militias will be.
A massacre in Al Nassiriyah yesterday. 46 dead. more than 200 injured.