20102011 MIDDLE EAST AND NORTH AFRICA

PROTESTS
Location

Middle East and North Africa

Date

December 18, 2010ongoing

Goal

Regime change, human rights, democracy

Characteristics:

Civil disobedience, civil resistance,

demonstrations,riots,self-immolations, strike a

Death(s)

Over 1,600 (self-immolations included)

Injured

Over 10,000

Created and Uploaded by ;

Amila Prasad Kariyawasam
Sri Lanka

Cont

The 20102011 Middle East and North Africa protests

are an unprecedented revolutionary wave of demonstrations
and protests which have been taking place in the Middle East
and North Africa since December 2010. To date Algeria,
Bahrain, Egypt, Iran, Jordan, Libya, Morocco, Tunisia, and
Yemen have all seen major protests, and minor incidents have
occurred in Iraq, Kuwait, Mauritania, Oman, Saudi Arabia,
Somalia, Sudan and Syria.
The protests have shared extensive use of techniques of
civil resistance in sustained campaigns involving strikes,
demonstrations, marches, and rallies, as well as the use of
social media such as Facebook and Twitter to organise,
communicate, and raise awareness in the face of attempts at
state repression. Some of these events, notably the uprisings in
Tunisia and Egypt, which have ended in regime change, have
been called revolutions.
Cont

Cont

Numerous factors have led to the protests, including

accusations of government corruption, dictatorship, human rights
violations, lack of jobs, and extreme poverty, coupled with a large
percentage of youth within the population.Increasing food prices
and rates of famine globally have also been a major reason,
involving threats to food security worldwide and prices
approaching levels seen during the 20072008 world food price
crisis.
The protests began on 18 December 2010, in Tunisia,
following Mohamed Bouazizi's self-immolation in protest at police
corruption and ill-treatment. Due to similar hardships in the region
and ultimately successful protests in Tunisia, a chain of unrest
was started which was followed by protests in Algeria, Jordan,
Egypt and Yemen,and to a lesser degree in other, mostly Arab,
states. In many cases the climactic days have been termed"day of
rage" or some variation thereof.
Cont

Cont

To date, two heads of state have been

overthrownTunisia's on January 14 and Egypt's
on February 11. Tunisia's Jasmine Revolution led
President Zine El Abidine Ben Ali to flee to Saudi
Arabia. In Egypt, massive protests began on
January 25, and after 18 days of protests, President
Mubarak, who had ruled Egypt for 30 years,
resigned on February 11.
Around the same time, Jordan's King Abdullah
named a new prime minister and the president of
Yemen, Ali Abdullah Saleh, announced that he
would not seek another term in office in 2013, after
what would then be 35 years of rule. During
ongoing demonstrations aimed at ousting Libyan

BACKGROUND AND GENERAL

ANALYSIS
In recent decades, rising literacy rates, higher education,
living standards and purchasing power parity resulted in a higher
human development index in the affected countries. However,
most of their governments were perceived as deeply corrupt,
and with authoritarian regimes. This contrast between better
education, high demand of democracy, and government
practices (perceived corruption, political system, supply of
democracy) were key indicators which may partly explain the
protests.

TUNISIA
December 18, 2010 Mohamed Bouazizi's self-immolation;
major demonstrations; strikes; riots; nationwide protest; attacks
to ruling party offices and police stations. The demonstrations
and riots were reported to have started over unemployment,
food inflation, corruption, freedom of speech and poor living
conditions. The protests were exacerbated by the selfimmolation of Mohamed Bouazizi that eventually led to the
ousting of President Zine El Abidine Ben Ali, who stepped down
from the presidency and fled Tunisia on 14 January 2011 after
23 years in power.

Cont

Cont

Announcement by president Ben Ali he won't seek

another term in 2014

Sacking of Government and announcement of early

legislative elections in six months

Ousting of regime: President and family flee the country

Formation of Government of "national unity" by Prime

Minister Ghannouchi

Disbanding of ruling party's leadership party's removal

from Government and suspension of activities

ALGERIA
On 29 December, clashes with police occurred in Algiers,
Algeria, over protests about the lack of housing. At least 53
people were reported to have been injured and another 29 were
arrested. In total, three demonstrators were killed, more than
800 people were wounded, and at least 1,100 were arrested.
From 1219 January, a wave of self-immolation attempts
swept the country, beginning with Mohamed Aouichia, who set
himself on fire in Bordj Menaiel in protest at his family's housing.
On 13 January, Mohsen Bouterfif set himself on fire after a
meeting with the mayor of Boukhadra in Tebessa who was
unable to offer Bouterfif a job and a house. Bouterfif was
reported to have died a few days later; about 100 youths
protested his death, causing the provincial governor to sack the
mayor.
Cont

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On 3 February, President Abdelaziz Bouteflika

announced that the 19-year state of emergency would be
lifted in the very near future in an apparent bid to stave off
unrest, a promise fulfilled on 22 February, when Algeria's
cabinet adopted an order to lift the state of emergency. On 5
February, a major "illegal" march was scheduled for the 12th
of the month.On 11 February, nearly 2000 pro-democracy
protesters clashed with police forces at the central May 1
square.
The government had imposed a ban on all opposition
rallies but protesters seemed deteremined to come out on the
streets. Reports claim that the police have blocked all entry
points into the capital and are arresting activists. Some feel
that Algeria could be the next country after Egypt to see
change, but analysts believe the government will silence the
protests with its oil and gas wealth.

BAHRAIN
The 2011 Bahraini protests are a series of
demonstrations in the Gulf country of Bahrain. The Bahraini
protests were initially aimed at achieving greater political
freedom and respect for human rights, without threatening the
monarchy.The protests began in Bahrain on February 14and
were largely peaceful until a night raid on 17 February by
police against protestors sleeping at Pearl Roundabout in
Manama, in which police killed three protestors.Following the
deadly 17 February night raid, the protestors' aims expanded
to a call to end the monarchy.

Cont

As of 18 February 2011, six people have been

killed and hundreds injured.The death toll continues to
rise as Bahraini police and military attempt to disperse
protesting crowds using tear gas, rubber bullets, and
live ammunition. Bahraini army tanks moved in to
quash street protests and blocked the Pearl
roundabout specifically (which protesters had planned
to convert into Bahrain's Tahrir Square) apart from
entries and exits into Manama. The hospital where the
dead protesters and mourners have gathered is still
very much untouched.

Cont

After the violent crackdown, protesters started

calling for overthrow of the Bahraini King and not just
the Prime Minister.On February 18, government forces
opened fire on protesters, mourners and news
journalists.On February 19, protesters occupied Pearl
Square after Bahrain's government orders troops and

EGYPT
Protests in Egypt began on 25 January and ran for
eighteen days. Starting at around midnight on 28 January, the
Egyptian government almost entirely cut off the country from
internet access. Later that day, as tens of thousands protested on
the streets of Egypt's major cities, President Mubarak formally
fired his government and appointed a new one. Mubarak also
appointed the first Vice President in almost 30 years.
On 2 February, pro-Mubarak activists armed and riding
camels and horses began to attack protesters with Molotov
cocktails. Many international journalists complained of
harassment and one local journalist was killed in the protests.

Cont

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On 11 February, Mubarak ceded all Presidential power to Vice

President Omar Suleiman, but announced that he would remain as
President, wanting to finish his term. However, protests continued the
next day before which Suleiman announced that Mubarak had resigned
from the presidency and transferred all power to the Armed Forces of
Egypt.
Immediately after, the now-ruling military dissolved the Egyptian
Parliament, suspended the Constitution of Egypt, and promised to lift the
thirty-year "emergency laws" of the country and to force free, open
elections within the next six months, or by the end of the year.States and
ordinary citizens in places across the world either expressed solidarity
with the protests or were cautious. A few states in the region were
supportive of Mubarak holding on to power.

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On 21 February, David Cameron, Prime Minister of the

United Kingdom, became the first world leader to visit Egypt
since Mubarak was ousted as the president 10 days previously. A
news blackout was lifted as the prime minister landed in Cairo for
a brief five-hour stopover hastily added at the start of a planned
tour of the Middle East.

IRAN
The 32 anniversary of the Iranian Revolution was said
to have had a low turnout on 11 February 2011. At the behest
of Mir-Hossein Mousavi and Mehdi Karroubi, opposition
leaders called for nationwide protest marches for 14 February.
Rumours suggested that the protesters would include
university students, lorry drivers and gold merchants from
across the country under the umbrella opposition known as the
Green movement in what was seen as an inspiration of events
from Egypt and Tunisia.
The Revolutionary Guard said it would forcefully
confront protesters. Opposition activists and aides to Mousavi
and Karroubi had been arrested in the days before the
protests.The opposition protesters used a similar tactic from
the 2009 protests in which they chanted "Allahu Akbar" and
"Death to the dictator" into the early morning hours.

Cont

Cont

Reports from the demonstrations of 14 February

describe clashes between protesters and security forces
in Tehran, where 10,000 security forces had been
deployed to prevent protesters from gathering at Azadi
Square, where the marches, originating from Enghelab,
Azadi and Vali-Asr streets, were expected to converge.
Police reportedly fired tear gas and used pepper spray
and batons to disperse protesters. Clashes were also
reported in Isfahan. It was reported up to a third of a
million protesters marched in Tehran alone on February
14.

IRAQ
In an effort to prevent potential unrest, Iraqi
Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki announced that he will
not run for a third term in 2014. Nevertheless,
hundreds of protesters gathered in several major Iraqi
urban areas on 12 February (notably Baghdad and
Karbala) demanding a more effective approach to the
issue of national security and investigation into federal
corruption cases, as well as government action
towards making public services fair and accessible.In
response, the government of Iraq subsidised electricity
costs.
I
srael's Haaretz reported that a 31-year-old man
in Mosul died after he self-immolated in protest against
unemployment. Haaretz also reported a planned
"Revolution of Iraqi Rage" to be held on 25 February
near the Green Zone. February 16, up to 2,000
protesters took over a provincial council building in the

JORDAN
On 14 January, protests took place in Jordan's capital
Amman, and at Ma'an, Al Karak, Salt and Irbid, and other cities. The
protests, led by trade unionists and leftist parties, came after Friday
prayers, and called for the government led by Prime Minister Samir
Rifai to step down. They chanted anti-government slogans and
called Rifai a "coward". One banner in the protest read "Jordan is
not only for the rich. Bread is a red line. Beware of our starvation
and fury," while protesters chanted "Down with Rifai's government.
Unify yourselves because the government wants to eat your flesh.

Cont

Cont

Raise fuel prices to fill your pocket with millions." Tawfiq alBatoush, a former head of the Karak municipality, said: "We are
protesting the policies of the government, high prices and repeated
taxation that made the Jordanian people revolt." The Muslim
Brotherhood and 14 trade unions said they would hold a sit-down protest
outside parliament the next day to "denounce government economic
policies". Parallels were drawn with the Tunisian protests.The Jordanian
government reversed a fuel price rise following the protest.
Al Jazeera stated that protests are expected to continue for
several weeks because of increasing food pricesOn 21 January, 5,000
people in Amman took part in the largest protest so far.On 1 February,
the Royal Palace announced that King Abdullah sacked the government
as a consequence of the street protests and asked Marouf al-Bakhit, a
former army general, to form a new Cabinet.

Cont

Cont

King Abdullah told Bakhit his authority will be to

"take quick, concrete and practical steps to launch a
genuine political reform process". The reforms should put
Jordan on the path "to strengthen democracy", and provide
Jordanians with the "dignified life they deserve"..

KUWAIT
In a move seen by some as attempt to head off economic
issues as a cause for unrest, Emir of Kuwait Sheikh Sabah AlAhmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah gave all "its citizens free food rations
and a grant of $4,000. Officially the grant is in commemoration
of "the 20th anniversary of Kuwait's liberation from occupying
Iraqi forces and which also marks the 50th anniversary of the
state's independence."
The cost of the food is estimated at 230 million dinars
($818 million) and will be available from February 1, 2011, to
March 31, 2012.who?Opposition groups called for protests on
March 8, and dozens of stateless Arabs demonstrated in Kuwait
on February 19.

LIBYA
Anti-government protests in Libya started on February 13,
2011. By February 18, most of Benghazi, the country's secondlargest city, was controlled by the opposition. At this stage, elite
troops and mercenaries were sent by the government to retake
the town, but they were repelled. At the time, it was estimated
that at least 84 had been killed since the violence began.
Protests had spread to the capital Tripoli by February 20, which
led to a television address by Seif al-Islam, who warned that the
protestors that country may descend into civil war.
The rising death toll, which currently numbers in the
hundreds, has drawn international condemnation, with several
Libyan diplomats resigning and calling for the regime to be
dismantled. By 18 February, the opposition controlled most of
Benghazi, the country's second-largest city. The government
dispatched elite troops and mercenaries in an attempt to
recapture it, but they were repelled. It was estimated that at
Cont
least 6,000 had been killed to that point.

Cont

By 20 February, protests had spread to the capital Tripoli,

leading to a television address by Seif al-Islam Gaddafi, who warned
the protestors that their country could descend into civil war. The rising
death toll, which currently numbers in the thousands, was drawing
international condemnation, resulting in the resignation of several
Libyan diplomats and their call for the regime's dismantlement.
On 26 February 2011, amidst ongoing efforts by demonstrators
and rebel forces to wrest control of Tripoli from the jamahiriya, the
opposition set up an interim government in Benghazi to oppose
Colonel Muammar al-Gaddafi's rule. However, despite initial
opposition success, government forces subsequently took back much
of the Mediterranean coast.

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On 19 March, United Nations Security Council Resolution 1973

established a no-fly zone over Libya. Once it was in place and
international forces had commenced bombing pro-Gadaffi assets,
rebel forces quickly moved along the northern seaboard, capturing
recently lost Ajdabiya, Brega, and Ra's Lanouf, as well as cities that
they hadn't yet held, such as those along the road to Sirte. However,
pro-government forces have since retaken many of the cities, forcing
the rebels to withdraw back toward Ajdabiya in the east, though they
have reportedly made gains in the Nafusa Mountains in the west.

SAUDI ARABIA
In Saudi Arabia, an unidentified 65-year-old man died on
21 January after setting himself on fire in the town of Samtah,
Jizan. This was apparently the kingdom's first known case of
self-immolation.On 29 January, hundreds of protesters gathered
in the city of Jeddah in a rare display of criticism against the
city's poor infrastructure after deadly floods swept through the
city, killing eleven people. Police stopped the demonstration
about 15 minutes after it started.
About 30 to 50 people were arrested.[186] On the same
day, an online campaign started on Facebook, making demands
that included calling for Saudi Arabia to become a constitutional
monarchy, and for "an end to corruption, an even distribution of
wealth, and a serious solution for unemployment".On 5
February, about 40 women wearing black clothes demonstrated
in Riyadh, calling for the release of prisoners held without trial.
Cont

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On 10 February, a Thomson Reuters report claimed that 10

intellectuals, human rights activists and lawyers came together to
create the Umma Islamic Party considered to be the first political
party in Saudi Arabia since the 1990s to demand the end of
absolute monarchy in the country. On 18 February, all ten founding
members of the party were arrested and ordered to withdraw
demands for political reform in exchange for their release.
On 23 February, Saudi Arabia's King Abdullah, after
returning to the country following three months spent abroad for
health treatment, announced a series of benefits for citizens
amounting to $10.7 billion. These include funding to offset high
inflation and to aid young unemployed people and Saudi citizens
studying abroad, as well the writing off some loans. As part of the
Saudi scheme, state employees will see their incomes increase by
15 per cent, and additional cash has also been made available for
housing loans. No political reforms were announced as part of the
package, though the 86-year-old monarch did pardon some
prisoners indicted in financial crimes.

SOMALIA
On 13 February, hundreds of youth marched in the long
road between the KM4 and Banaadir junctions, in the Somali
capital of Mogadishu, demonstrating against both the
Transitional Federal Government (TFG), led by President Sheikh
Sharif Ahmed, and the Islamist insurgent group Harakat alShabaab Mujahedeen (HSM), led by Sheikh Ibrahim "alAfghani", which controls much of the country. Protestors said
they would continue until they overcame their leaders like in
Egypt and Tunisia. At least 7 of the demonstration organizers
were seized and taken into custody by the TFG.
On 15 February, forces loyal to the Transitional Federal
Government fired at a protest,[193] killing 4 and injuring 11
protestors.[194] This was condemned by Hawiye clan elders in
Mogadishu.[195] TFG President Sharif Ahmed called on the
"international community to help and support the TFG's
governmental institutions to get the ability of handling the current
Cont
unrest."

Cont

On 17 February, the TFG announced they had arrested 5

people, including 4 police officers, which they said, were
responsible for the shooting. Meanwhile, Somali Prime Minister
Mohamed Abdullahi Mohamed "Farmajo" held a press
conference were he said that he was "very sorry for the civilian
casualties" and he sent his condolences to their families.

SUDAN

On 30 January, protests took place in Khartoum and AlUbayyid. In Khartoum, police clashed with demonstrators in the town
centre and at least two universities. Demonstrators had organized on
online social networking sites since the Tunisian protests the month
before. Hussein Khogali, editor in chief of the Al-Watan newspaper
stated that his daughter had been arrested for organizing the protest
via Facebook and opposition leader Mubarak al-Fadil's two sons were
arrested while on their way to the main protest.
Pro-government newspapers had warned that protests would
cause chaos. Some protesters called for President Omar al-Bashir to
step down. Activists said that dozens of people had been arrested.
The protests came on the same day the preliminary results for the
referendum indicated some 99% of South Sudanese voted to secede.
[200] One student died in hospital the same night from injuries
received in the clashes.[201] Students threw rocks at police officers
while chanting "No to high prices, no to corruption" and "Tunisia,
Egypt, Sudan together as one." Police officers arrested five and put
Cont
down the protest.

Cont

In the Al-Ubayyid (el-Obeid) 30 January demonstration, about 500

people protested "against the government and demanding change" in the
market. Police broke up the demonstration using tear gas.
On 1 February, about 200 students demonstrated in front of AlNeelain University in Khartoum. Police stopped the demonstration.On 17
January, security forces in Sudan arrested the head of the Popular
Congress Party, Hassan al-Turabi, as well as five other members of the
party, after he called for a similar protest to oust the ruling government
over electoral fraud, stoking inflation and abrogating civil liberties at a time
when Sudan was facing a secessionist referendum.
The Committee to Protect Journalists said journalists are facing
increasing harassment. On 30 January, journalists were beaten by
security forces and at least eight were detained. The following day, the
distribution of several opposition newspapers was blocked by authorities.
In late January, the African Centre for Justice and Peace Studies reported
that more than 100 people had been detained on the first day of protests
and that activists were being "taken from their homes and offices".On 21
February, President Omar al-Bashir announced that he would not seek to
run in the next presidential election in 2015.

SYRIA

On 26 January 2011, Hasan Ali Akleh from Al-Hasakah

poured gasoline and burned himself in the same way as
Mohamed Bouazizi. According to eyewitnesses, the action was
"a protest against the Syrian government". On 29 January 2011,
news channel Al Arabiya reported that Internet connection was
cut off, that was quickly denied by official sources. On 28
January 2011, a demonstration was held in Ar-Raqqah during
the evening, in protest against the killing of two soldiers of
Kurdish descent.
On 31 January 2011, the Wall Street Journal ran an
exclusive interview with Bashar al-Assad, President of Syria, in
which he said it's time to reform. In a comment on the protests in
Egypt, Tunisia and Yemen, he said a "new era" is coming to the
Middle East, and that Arab rulers would need to do more to
accommodate their people's rising political and economic
aspirations.
Cont

Cont

On 3 February another Day of rage was called for in

Syria from 45 February on social media sites Facebook and
Twitter. Protesters demand reform in the government, however
most protests so far have remained outside of Syria and have
been small.
The protests were expected to begin on 4 February 2011
as social media mobilised the people of Syria for rallies
demanding freedom, human rights and the end to the state of
emergency. Protests were also scheduled for 5 February in front
of the parliament in Damascus and at Syrian embassies
internationally.The planned protests had been named "Day of
Rage." The only known action took place February 5, where
hundreds of protesters in Al-Hasakah participated in a mass
demonstration, calling for the President's departure. Syrian
authorities have arrested dozens and the demonstration was
triggered quickly.
Cont

Cont

President Bashar al-Assad has declared that his state is

immune from the kinds of mass protests taking place in Egypt. Al
Jazeera also reported plans to increase security for the planned "days
of rage." Days before the planned protests, Syrian authorities arrested
several political activists, such as businessman Ghassan al-Najar,
leader of the Islamic Democratic movement, the writer Ali al-Abdallah,
Abbas Abbas, from Syrian Communist Party and several other political
personalities of Kurdish backgrounds, such as Adnan Mustafa.
Suhair Atassi, who runs the banned Jamal Atassi Forum, called
for political reforms and the reinstatement of civil rights, as well as an
end to the emergency law in place since 1963. However, no protests
occurred on either date. Though internet services were said to have
been curbed, Facebook and Youtube were reported to have been
restored on 8 February. Suggestions were made that easing the ban
could be a way to track activists. After the failure of attempts to a "day
of rage," Al Jazeera called the country "a kingdom of silence" and
identified key factors for stability within Syria as being strict security
measures, the popularity of President Bashar al-Assad, and fears of
potential sectarian violence in the aftermath of a government ouster.

Cont

Cont On February 14, blogger and student Tal al-Mallohi was sentenced to

five years in prison for spying for the United States. Washington denied these
allegations and asked for the release Tal immediately. February 15, under
pressure from human rights organizations, the Syrian government released
Ghassan al-Najjar, a "veteran Islamist activist" after he went on hunger strike
following his arrest for calling for mass protests. February 16, regime critic
and director of the Organisation for Democracy and Freedom in Syria
(ODFS) Ribal al-Assad, the son of Rifaat al-Assad and cousin to Syrian
President Bashar al-Assad held a press conference in London, where he
made it clear that he "does not want to see a Syrian revolution, but a peaceful
change of power".
On February 17, a fight took place in central Damascus, between a
shop owner and traffic police. Everything took a new turn when three police
officers began attacking the man and beat him severely. Several people
gathered around and blocked the road, while shouting "the Syrian people will
not be pushed down". An eyewitness estimated the number to more than
1,500 demonstrators. Secret police officers arrived quickly to the scene along
with several "big names" and finally Minister of the Interior who scared away
the demonstrators. The minister took the shop owner in his car and promised
to investigate what had happened. A couple of hours later, several video
versions were posted on YouTube

Cont

Cont

On February 19, several Syrian websites reported

widespread anti-government graffiti across Damascus and other
major cities. Syrian security police have arrested Fares Serawan
days after the demonstration to his participation. On February
21, blogger Ahmad Abu al-Khair was reportedly arrested by
Syrian security forces early Sunday morning. Security police
have arrested dozens of Kurds near Damascus, and in
preparation for a massive uprising, the al-Baath party sent 180
000 additional soldiers to support the security forces after a new
wave of graffiti appeared with anti-regime messages. The
security forces have gone into schools and questioned students
and requested their email addresses.

CHINA
There were calls made via social networks such as Twitter to
begin a "Jasmine Revolution" in China. Chinese authorities arrested
activists,] increased the normal police presence, disabled some cell
phone text messaging services and deleted Internet postings about
protests planned for 14:00 on 20 February in Beijing, Shanghai and 11
other cities. On the day of the protests, the police turned out en masse
to all of the potential protest locations in various cities around the
country.
Small crowds, including a large number of foreign journalists,
gathered at the planned site in Beijing and Shanghai but did not chant
slogans or hold signs. CPC General Secretary and President Hu
Jintao responded by calling top leaders into a "study session" to root
out and tackle social issues before they "become threats to stability".
In a speech at the Central Party School, Hu called out for tighter
restrictions to the internet.

WORLD ECONOMY
As many of the world's major oil producing countries are in the
Middle East, the unrest has sent oil prices higher. The International
Monetary Fund accordingly revised its forecast for 2011 oil prices to
reflect a higher price, and also reported that food prices could rise.
Additionally, concerns about Egypt's Suez Canal have raised shipping
and oil prices.

END