Iraq’s army announced it was imposing a 3:30 p.m. curfew on all of Baghdad after the supporters of powerful Shiite Muslim cleric Muqtada al-Sadr stormed the government’s building after announcing he was withdrawing from politics
“I’ve decided not to meddle in political affairs. I therefore announce now my definitive retirement,” al-Sadr said in a statement on Twitter. He also said “If I die or get killed, I ask for your prayers.”
Al-Sadr, a longtime player in the Middle East nation’s political scene, criticized fellow Shiite political leaders for failing to act upon his calls for reform.
Without elaborating on the closure of his offices, al-Sadr said that some of his cultural and religious institutions would remain open.
His announcement was followed by hundreds of his supporters rushing to the government palace, which houses the main offices of Iraq’s caretaker Prime Minister Mustafa al-Kadhimi. Kadhimi said he was suspending all cabinet meetings until further notice.
Protesters used ropes to pull down cement barriers leading to the seat of the government, prompting Iraq’s military to call for an immediate withdrawal from the Green Zone. The military urged protesters to practice self-restraint “to prevent clashes or the spilling of Iraqi blood,” according to a statement.
“The security forces affirm their responsibility to protect government institutions, international missions, public and private properties,” the statement said.
The army then announced it was imposing a 3:30 p.m. curfew for all of Baghdad, but that did little to deter al-Sadr’s followers, who pushed into the Republican Palace chanting “the people want to overthrow the regime.”
As the situation escalated, the curfew was later extended, with all of Iraq required to be indoors by 7 p.m. Witnesses told reporters that they heard live fire and saw security services use tear gas inside the fortified Green Zone.
Why is there political deadlock in Iraq?
Despite winning the largest share of seats in last October’s elections, a political impasse between al-Sadr and his Iran-linked Shiite rivals has given Iraq its longest run without a government. In June, he withdrew his lawmakers from the parliament after failing to form a government of his choosing.
Since last month, his supporters have occupied parliament and held protests near government buildings. With the process of choosing a new president and prime minister halted, many fear that al-Sadr’s supporters may escalate their protests, pushing the conflict-ravaged country into a new phase of instability.
see,es/sri (AFP, AP, Reuters)