Baghdad: Hundreds of followers of an influential Shia cleric violated Iraq’s parliament on Saturday for the second time this week to protest efforts to form a government led by Iran-backed groups. Iraqi security forces used tear gas and sound bombs to disperse the protesters. The expected Parliament session did not take place and there were no MLAs in the hall.
Iraq’s Prime Minister Mustafa al-Kadhimi instructed security forces to protect the protesters and asked them to keep their protest peaceful.
Iraqi security forces threw gas canisters and used sound bombs to disperse thousands of Iraqi demonstrators, followers of an influential cleric, in the capital’s heavily fortified government area on Saturday.
One by one, protesters used ropes to pull down cement barricades leading to the gates of Iraq’s Green Zone, which houses official buildings and foreign embassies. They had come to protest the formation of the next government by the Iran-backed parties.
When they approached the Parliament building, security forces used gas canisters and sound bombs to disperse the protesters. The. journalist for The Associated Press Saw many people injured. A regular Parliament session was expected.
“We have come today to remove the corrupt political class and prevent and stop them from holding Parliament sessions framework by forming the government,” said rad thabet41. “We answered al-Sadr’s call. We will go to the Green (Zone). It doesn’t matter.”
The protesters are followers of influential Shia cleric Muktada al-Sadr, who called for demonstrations against the formation of the next government by political groups backed by Iran.
Al-Sadr’s party pulled out of government formation talks in June, requiring them to proceed with the process to give a majority to their rivals in the Coordination Framework Coalition.
Many protesters wore black to mark the days leading up to Ashura, which commemorates the death of imam hussainGrandson of the Prophet Muhammad and one of the Shias Islammost important figures.
Al-Sadr’s message to his followers has used the important day in Shia Islam to incite protests.
Al-Sadr has used his large ground level as leverage against his rivals.
On Wednesday, hundreds of his followers stormed the parliament building after the Framework Coalition nominated Mohammed al-Sudani for premiership and signaled their readiness to form a government despite his threats.
Iraq’s Prime Minister Mustafa al-Kadhimi instructed security forces to protect the protesters and asked them to keep their protest peaceful.
Iraqi security forces threw gas canisters and used sound bombs to disperse thousands of Iraqi demonstrators, followers of an influential cleric, in the capital’s heavily fortified government area on Saturday.
One by one, protesters used ropes to pull down cement barricades leading to the gates of Iraq’s Green Zone, which houses official buildings and foreign embassies. They had come to protest the formation of the next government by the Iran-backed parties.
When they approached the Parliament building, security forces used gas canisters and sound bombs to disperse the protesters. The. journalist for The Associated Press Saw many people injured. A regular Parliament session was expected.
“We have come today to remove the corrupt political class and prevent and stop them from holding Parliament sessions framework by forming the government,” said rad thabet41. “We answered al-Sadr’s call. We will go to the Green (Zone). It doesn’t matter.”
The protesters are followers of influential Shia cleric Muktada al-Sadr, who called for demonstrations against the formation of the next government by political groups backed by Iran.
Al-Sadr’s party pulled out of government formation talks in June, requiring them to proceed with the process to give a majority to their rivals in the Coordination Framework Coalition.
Many protesters wore black to mark the days leading up to Ashura, which commemorates the death of imam hussainGrandson of the Prophet Muhammad and one of the Shias Islammost important figures.
Al-Sadr’s message to his followers has used the important day in Shia Islam to incite protests.
Al-Sadr has used his large ground level as leverage against his rivals.
On Wednesday, hundreds of his followers stormed the parliament building after the Framework Coalition nominated Mohammed al-Sudani for premiership and signaled their readiness to form a government despite his threats.