Supporters of Muktada Sadar are demanding dissolution of Parliament and holding of fresh elections.
Baghdad:
Twelve protesters were killed on Monday after supporters of cleric Muktada Sadar stormed a government palace in Baghdad’s Green Zone as the powerful Shia leader said he was quitting politics.
An AFP correspondent said shots were fired in the fortified area, which houses government buildings as well as diplomatic missions, as tensions escalated amid a political crisis that has left months without a new government, prime minister or president. Iraq left.
Medics told AFP that 12 Sadr supporters had been shot dead and 270 other protesters were wounded – some were shot and others suffered from tear gas shells.
Eyewitnesses had earlier said there had been an exchange of fire between Sadr loyalists and supporters of the rival Shia bloc, the pro-Iran coordination framework.
The Framework condemned the “attack on state institutions”, urging the Saddarists to engage in “dialogue”.
The army announced a nationwide curfew from 7:00 pm (1600 GMT), as security forces patrolled the capital.
Acting Prime Minister Mustafa al-Kadhemi ordered an investigation into the casualties, saying that “security or military force, or armed men” were prohibited from firing at the demonstrators.
His office tweeted, “Our security forces are responsible for the safety of the protesters. Any violation in this regard will be subject to legal liability.” He urged the people to follow the curfew.
The United Nations Assistance Mission in Iraq (UNAMI) called the developments “an extremely dangerous escalation” and called on “all” sides to “avoid activities that could lead to an unstoppable chain of events”.
“The very existence of the state is at stake,” it warned.
The United States also urged calm amid “disturbing” reports of unrest in Baghdad.
An AFP correspondent and eyewitnesses said the protests spread to other parts of the country, with Sadar followers storming government buildings in the cities of Nasiriyah and Hillah, south of Baghdad.
– ‘fixed retirement’ –
Iraq has been mired in a political stalemate since legislative elections in October last year due to disagreements between Shia factions over forming a coalition.
Shortly after making his surprise announcement, Sadr’s followers stormed the Republican Palace, where cabinet meetings usually take place.
Inside the grand palace, protesters relaxed in armchairs in a meeting room, some waved Iraqi flags and took their pictures, and others cooled off in a swimming pool in the garden.
Sadr – a gray-bearded preacher with millions of devoted followers who once led a militia against US and Iraqi government forces – announced earlier on Twitter that he was withdrawing from politics.
“I have decided not to interfere in political matters. I therefore now announce my definitive retirement,” said Sadar, a longtime player in the political scene of the war-torn country. Although he himself has never been directly in the government.
He said that “all institutions” associated with his Sadar Andolan would be closed, except the mausoleum of his father, who was assassinated in 1999, and other heritage facilities.
His latest statement came two days after he said “all parties” should step down from government posts, including their own, to help solve the political crisis.
His faction was the largest in last year’s election, with 73 seats, but falling short of a majority. In June, his lawmakers resigned to break the deadlock, causing the coordination framework to become the largest bloc in the legislature.
Hamzeh Hadad of the European Council on Foreign Relations (ECFR) said it was “not clear” what Sadr’s strategy was.
“Whatever that means, in typical Saddarist fashion, there is always an expectation of a backlash,” Haddad said.
“The second, and more terrifying take on this is that he is giving his followers the green light to do whatever they like.”
– Millions of followers –
Supporters of Sadr are calling for parliament to be dissolved and new elections, but on Saturday the cleric said it was “more important” that “all parties and figures who are part of the political process” since the 2003 US-led invasion are”. Won’t participate anymore”.
“It also includes the Sadrwadi movement,” he said.
Over the years the chameleon-like Sadar has held various positions and then reversed them.
Sadr’s supporters have been protesting outside Iraq’s parliament for weeks, after storming the interior of the legislature on July 30 over their demands.
He was outraged after the Coordination Framework had nominated a candidate, which he saw as unacceptable for prime minister.
The Framework wants a new head of government to be appointed before any new elections.
Kadhemi had called for crisis talks with party leaders earlier this month, but the Sadrwadis boycotted.
(Except for the title, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)