Key Facts
• On January 29, hundreds protested in Baghdad against President Trump’s remarks and U.S. interference.
• Protesters burned U.S. flags and photos of Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu.
• Support was reaffirmed for former Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki.
• On January 28, al-Maliki condemned Trump’s threat to withdraw U.S. aid if he returns as prime minister.
• Trump’s January 27 social media post criticized al-Maliki’s previous term, linking it to poverty and chaos.
• Trump warned the U.S. would stop helping Iraq if al-Maliki regained power.
• Washington pressures Iraq to distance itself from Iran, viewing al-Maliki as too close to Tehran.
Summary
In Baghdad on January 29, hundreds of Iraqis protested for the second consecutive day against U.S. President Donald Trump’s comments and perceived interference in Iraqi politics. Demonstrators burned U.S. flags and images of Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, while expressing strong support for former Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki. Al-Maliki, recently nominated by dominant Iraqi political groups to return as prime minister, rejected Trump’s threat to cut U.S. aid if he assumes office, calling it blatant interference and a violation of Iraq’s sovereignty. Trump’s January 27 social media post blamed al-Maliki’s previous leadership for Iraq’s poverty and chaos and warned that U.S. support would end if al-Maliki returned. The U.S. government continues to pressure Iraq to distance itself from Iran, viewing al-Maliki as too close to Tehran.
