ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - Iraq’s Council of Ministers suspended sessions indefinitely after angry supporters of powerful Muqtada al-Sadr stormed a government palace in Baghdad’s Green Zone on Monday.
Shortly after Sadr fueled the war-torn country with uncertainty by quitting politics, footage of his supporters flocking into the Republican Palace circulated on social media with Rudaw’s ground reporter confirming the videos.
Iraqi Prime Minister Mustafa al-Kadhimi urged Sadr to call on protestors to withdraw from government institutions in a statement after suspending cabinet sessions.
“Harming all state institutions does not serve the Iraqi people’s capabilities, aspirations, and their territorial integrity,” wrote Kadhimi.
Hundreds of other Sadr loyalists stormed the Green Zone, Rudaw footage showed, while Iraqi security forces announced a Baghdad-wide curfew that affects “all vehicles and citizens.” Large numbers of security forces were deployed across the capital to contain the protests.
“We will not leave the Republican Palace until our demands are met,” one protestor said.
Former Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi called on Iraqis “to unite and prevent abusing private and public rights” in a tweet.
The United Nations Assistance Mission for Iraq (UNAMI) urged maximum restraint and called on protestors to leave the Green Zone and governmental building.
Footage circulating on social media also showed protesters gathering in Basra, Dhi Qar, and Maysan provinces.
Sadr announced his “definitive retirement” from politics and the closure of affiliated institutions in response to the political deadlock that continues to suffocate Iraq over 10 months after October’s elections.
“I had decided to not interfere in political affairs and I now announce my definitive retirement and the closure of all institutions,” Sadr said in a statement, adding that the holy shrine, the holy museum, and Sadr’s heritage authority would be the only places left open.
Sadr’s resignation came a day ahead of the deadline he had given to Iraqi political parties, saying he would sign an agreement only with people that have not been a part of the government since 2003.
The Shiite cleric has previously made such withdrawal announcements but returned to politics shortly after making them.
Iraq held snap parliamentary elections in October but disagreements prevented political parties from electing a president and a prime minister for the country.
The Sadrist Movement was the kingmaker of the vote, gaining the largest number of seats. However, Sadr withdrew his lawmakers from the parliament in June after he failed to form a government and threatened to exclude his rival Iran-backed Coordination Framework from it.
The situation escalated in late July after Sadr supporters held protests and stormed the Iraqi parliament.
Sadr and his supporters insist on holding another snap vote and the dissolution of parliament.
