Iraq
Content about workers' struggles, war and events in Iraq.
Iraq - free market Jihad - Red and Black Notes
Red and Black Notes article on the imperialist aims of the 2003 invasion of Iraq.
News of the August blackout that left millions in the eastern United States and Canada without power was greeted in Iraq with amusement. "Now they know how we feel," said one Iraqi. Another remarked in acid tones, "I just hope it's not left to the Americans to restore power, or else things will never get put right.
No war but the class war! - Red and Black Notes
From the War in the Gulf, to the War at Home - article from Red and Black Notes on the need to fight the invasion of class war with class struggle at home.
On Wednesday March 19 2003 at about 9:30 PM, the United States and its allies began a murderous assault upon Iraq. The millions in the United States and around the world, who marched against war, have seen their "message" ignored. But war is the health of the modern state. Capital can no more give up war, than it can give up exploitation.
A plague on both your houses - Red and Black Notes
Internationalist article from Red and Black Notes on the then imminent 2003 invasion of Iraq.
For many with an interest in the impending war in Iraq, the conflict is about choosing sides.
Iraqi oil Minister transfers union activists
The Iraqi Oil minister, Hussein Al-Shahirstani, had ordered the transfer of 8 Oil Union activists to Baghdad's Al-Dorah neighborhood (known for worsening security situation, and high level of sectarian killings). In the context of Iraqi security situation such a transfer is rightfully regarded as a human rights violation.
The Iraqi Oil minister, Hussein Al-Shahirstani, had ordered the transfer of 8 Oil Union activists.
They used to work at the Oil refineries in the south. This act represents the minister's anti-union policy, and lack of respect for Unions and Unions' activists in the Oil sector.
Dockworkers strike against war in America and Iraq
25,000 dock workers in 29 ports across the US went on strike today, to protest the war in Iraq. Meanwhile, in Iraq, dockers stopped work for an hour in a show of international solidarity.
The International Longshore and Warehouse Union declared the day as "a day for union business" for workers at all 29 ports on the west coast. This may be the beginning of a record setting anti-war action, since the vast majority of supplies and munitions for the American government's current wars are shipped from the 29 ports on the West Coast. All 29 were closed today.
Revolution betrayed - the Workers Revolutionary Party and Iraq
Two articles from Solidarity on corruption in the Workers Revolutionary Party and its links with Saddam Hussein and other Middle Eastern governments.
THE REVOLUTION BETRAYED
Class struggle in Iraq - interview with a veteran
An interview covering class struggle in Iraq from the '40s to early '90s in Iraq.
The following interview was first published in 'Workers Scud - no patriot can catch us!' (London, June 1991), a collection of articles reflecting on the Gulf War.
The Class Struggle in Iraq - an interview with a veteran
Q: Can you briefly tell us about the class struggle in Iraq before the overthrow of the monarchy in 1958?
1991: The Kurdish Uprising
The following is an account of the uprising in Kurdistan in 199, which buries the lies of the western media which presented this proletarian uprising as the work of nationalist parties in the north or Shi'ite religious fanatics in the south.
THE KURDISH UPRISING
&
KURDISTAN'S NATIONALIST SHOP FRONT
AND ITS NEGOTIATIONS WITH THE BAATHIST/FASCIST REGIME
(Plus an account of the Workers Councils)
(Note: text is as in original pamphlet; a few pictures and accompanying captions have been removed)
The Zanj Slaves Rebellion, AD 869-883
A history of the Zanj slave rebellion - East African slaves in Mesopotamia during the 9th century. These events took place around Basra, in modern day Iraq.
Zapping the Zanj: Towards a History of the Zanj Slaves' Rebellion
Revised on: 16 October 2002. This is an ongoing investigation. Credible sources regarding the Zanj are hard to come by. Melancholic Troglodytes would appreciate any assistance from readers.
Mutinies in the American army, 2004-2005 - Echanges #111
A brief discussion of incidences of dissatisfaction in the US Army during the Iraq War.
Mutinies, the word can seem excessive because Iraq is not (yet) Vietnam. However, a refusal to obey in the army, whatever the reason, is a mutiny and quite often such acts of insubordination have started with minor acts. Even isolated, such acts are indicative of "troop morale", an essential element for continuing war.
