
“Hell could be such a place - a place of suffering and death.” This “Hell” is now also known as the square at the heart of an uprising in Iraq.
Tahrir Square, Baghdad, has been the centre for month-long protests. Deadly clashes between protesters and government security forces have been arduous and constant since October 2019, with thousands of people living in a tent village of Tahrir Square. It’s reported that there have been over 700 civilians killed with over 30,000 injured.
The protests started on the back of corruption, unemployment and inefficient public services within the government. Overall, Iraq produces more oil than the United Arab Emirates and since the US occupation in 2003-2011, the country has seen mighty overlords from various countries meddling with finances, which has meant money hasn’t been distributed into where it was deemed to originally go.
The protests in Baghdad continue bloody. blood has spilled on the side of the tuk-tuk moped.©Janne Körkkö / LUZ Abdul-Kareem (63) Worked in the Air Force and is now retired. His sons are dead. He came to support people’s efforts, to improve society. People have no jobs, no education, there is only corruption that takes all hope. ©Janne Körkkö / LUZ
Fascinated by the statues in Mosul, a series of 2000 year old statues situated in Iraq that were destroyed by Isis militants in 2015, Janne Korkko became well educated about what was going on across the country. A photo-journalist by trade, Korkko first visited Iraq in 2016 and has since returned four times over the past three years. After making an important decision to visit in 2019, Korkko bravely integrated himself into the camps at Tahrir square. “I have a very deep desire to see and understand the gravity of the situation. I have lived, eaten, slept and shared both happy and sad moments. I have felt what it means to live without rights, a home, without money, without power, with disabilities, to be blind. I was there and listened. Despair is the thing that comes to mind first of all. People want fundamental rights, and that’s why people of all ages stay on the square. Protests have become a duty for all ages.”



Korkko talks about how the protests are relatively peaceful and a place to remember the lives lost during the day time. “Near the square there is a front line. Tuk-tuk vehicles are transporting the wounded to first aid tents. I have lived and made friends with amazing people out there such as students who left their school, University, and college. They have a deep belief in their Revolution.” At night, the protests take a turn and local youths from nearby cities come out to protest in a more destructible manner. “Guns sound at night on the streets, people are distressed. Human ignorance and fears are truly present. Frustration and fatigue are sensed in people’s faces and conversations. Bullets are removed from the wounded without proper pain relief or hygiene. Doctors, nurses and assistants are tired of the enormous workload.”
“We Give You Our Life And Blood” is a powerful term that was commonly used by protesters to describe their feelings towards their country.






See more of Janne’s work Here.
If you enjoyed this article and like what we do, then please consider donating or becoming a member. This will enable us to keep supporting photographers and writers.