Monuments, statues destroyed by unidentified groups in Iraq
Despite vandalism turning into a phenomenon in Iraq, the Iraqi authorities have yet to identify the individuals destroying monuments and statues throughout the country, but there is growing consensus whereby such acts express a political rejection of the ruling parties.
Unidentified individuals vandalized June 4 the statue of cleric and poet Mohammed Saeed al-Haboubi in Al-Haboubi Square, the center of protest in Nasiriyah in southern Iraq. No official Iraqi authority has released any information revealing those behind the attacks on public property, especially monuments and statues.
Protesters claimed on Facebook that “the assault on the statue of Haboubi took place after the protesters had left the square, [and that it happened] in order to discredit the demonstrators. Protesters in Al-Habboubi Square are innocent of such acts.” At the same time, members of parliament hinted at the increase of vandalism in the central and southern regions, thus alluding to protesters being behind such acts.
