Iraq declares highest alert and nationwide curfew ahead of first population census since 1987

Iraq has declared its highest state of alert and will impose a two-day nationwide curfew starting late Tuesday night in preparation for the country's first comprehensive population census in nearly four decades.

The Iraqi High-Security Committee for the National Census announced the measures on Monday, marking a significant step toward ensuring the successful execution of the census on 20-21 November.

The curfew, which begins at midnight on 19 November and ends at midnight on 21 November, will restrict the movement of citizens, vehicles, and trains across all provinces, including the semi-autonomous Kurdistan Region.

 "This is a vital national project, and the curfew is essential to its success," Brigadier General Muqdad Miri, spokesperson for Iraq's Ministry of Interior, said during a press conference.

Stringent security measures

Under the curfew, movement between cities, towns, and rural areas is entirely prohibited. Exceptions will be granted for urgent humanitarian cases or specific security, environmental, or weather-related circumstances.

Personnel deemed essential to the census operations, including Ministry of Statistics staff, district and village officials, healthcare workers, and accredited journalists, will be exempt from the restrictions. These individuals must carry official identification issued by the government to ensure uninterrupted access to their workplaces.

The census, Iraq's first in 37 years, represents a pivotal moment in the country's efforts to rebuild its institutions after decades of conflict and instability. Officials see the census as essential for planning, resource allocation, and addressing long-standing inequalities across regions.

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Planning Mohammed Ali Tamim has championed the census as a cornerstone for Iraq's developmental future.

"This project is a national and constitutional obligation," he said in a statement on Saturday. "The data collected will allow the government to improve services, address disparities, and build a roadmap for national development."

Nouri al-Maliki, leader of the State of Law Coalition, praised the initiative, emphasising its potential to combat unemployment and poverty by providing an accurate database for governance and resource distribution.

 Parliament Speaker Mahmoud al-Mashhadani described the census as a "historic opportunity" to document Iraq's social and economic realities and to focus on its most underprivileged areas.

Addressing historical disputes

The census carries particular significance in Iraq's disputed regions, such as the oil-rich Kirkuk province, where demographic changes have fuelled tensions. To mitigate concerns, the Iraqi government approved a Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) request to base registration on residents' places of origin rather than their current locations.

The KRG has declared a week-long public holiday, enabling displaced residents to return to their hometowns for registration. Kurdish officials have voiced concerns about how the census might reflect decades of displacement and Arabization policies, particularly in regions affected by the former Baathist regime and the events following 2017 when federal forces reclaimed control of Kirkuk.

The census is also expected to address issues stemming from the displacement of marginalised communities, including the Yazidis. Approximately 200,000 Yazidis remain in Kurdistan Region camps due to instability in their hometown of Shingal (Sinjar), according to officials. The government has introduced measures allowing families to register in their places of origin through designated representatives.

Implications for Iraq's future

This census will provide Iraq with its first accurate and comprehensive population data in decades. The last nationwide census was conducted in 1987, and the most recent count, in 1997, excluded the Iraqi Kurdistan Region. Current estimates place Iraq's population at approximately 50 million.

"This is more than a count of people," Minister Tamim said. "It is a reflection of Iraq's commitment to unity, progress, and the rebuilding of our nation."

Officials believe the data will serve as a foundation for addressing critical issues, including urban planning, resource distribution, unemployment, and regional inequalities. The government has already begun preparatory work, including building surveys, as part of the effort to ensure the census is conducted with precision.

"This census is a step toward a brighter, more stable future for Iraq," Tamim said. "It reflects our collective will to rebuild and move forward as one nation."