Supporters of Iraqi Shiite cleric Moqtada al-Sadr’s typhoon parliament
Thousands of protesters in Iraq stormed parliament on Saturday at this week’s time.
Supporters of influential Shiite cleric Moqtada al-Sadr stormed parliament to protest efforts to form a government through rivals, an alliance of Iranian-backed groups.
The scenes, in which at least 125 other people were injured, according to a health ministry official, came after similar protests on Wednesday.
Iraqi security forces first used tear gas and stun grenades to repel protesters.
Once inside, the protesters declared an indefinite sit-in and said they would disperse until their demands were met.
Parliament Speaker Mohammed Halbousi has suspended long-term sessions until further notice.
In the past, protesters had used ropes and chains to tear down the concrete barricades leading to the gate of Baghdad’s heavily fortified green zone, which houses government buildings and embassies.
The move comes after Al-Sadr’s party was unable to form a government despite winning the top few seats in last October’s federal election.
The populist cleric has used his followers as leverage for his rivals and ordered them to occupy parliament in the past.
Al-Sadr’s rivals within the Coordination Framework, an alliance of Iranian-backed Shiite parties led by former Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki, have shown symptoms of internal divisions in reaction to the protests.
Initially, he called for “peaceful” counter-protests to the state.
“Civil peace is a red line and all Iraqis will have to be in a position to protect it through every conceivable and non-violent means,” the alliance said.
Later, Hadi al-Amiri, leader of the alliance, issued an invitation to our “dear brother” al-Sadr to a “serious dialogue” on the political stalemate.
The United Nations has expressed fears of further instability and called on Iraqi leaders to reduce tension.
“The voices that explain why and the wisdom are to spare them more violence. All actors are encouraged to relax in the interest of all Iraqis,” he said.
In a speech, interim Prime Minister Mustafa al-Kadhimi also called for restraint.
“The political blocs will have to sit down and negotiate and succeed in a deal for the intelligence of Iraq and the Iraqis,” he said.
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