After the announcement of the leader of the Sadrist movement, Muqtada al-SadrIn the face of a severe political crisis in Iraq, his supporters headed this followingnoon to the fortified Green Zone in the capital, Baghdad, and stormed the presidential palace, which prompted the security to fire tear gas to disperse them, and to control the headquarters once more.
Meanwhile, gunmen from the popular crowd fired live bullets and clashed with the demonstrators, which led to two deaths and dozens of injuries, according to Archyde.com.
While the security forces announced a comprehensive curfew in the country, this did not stop the flow of Sadr supporters. A number of protesters gathered inside the Green Zone confirmed that escalatory steps will be implemented in the coming hours.
Clashes with the crowd
In addition, “Al-Arabiya” sources reported that 35 protesters were wounded following live bullets were fired by the crowd, as well as smoke bombs, while some of al-Sadr’s supporters clashed with the gunmen.
Also, unknown elements attacked media correspondents on the site.
General horn
As for Sadr City, he announced full solidarity with the Sadrist leader and the general alarm, amid expectations that other regions will also witness in the coming hours the emergence of a number of demonstrations as well, especially in the southern governorates, such as Wasit, Maysan, Dhi Qar, Basra and others, where he enjoys wide support, knowing that protesters came out In Basra, they closed a number of roads with burning tires.
Sadr’s supporters also entered the Dhi Qar governorate building and took control of it. They also took control of the court building in Maysan.
Some observers suggested that the country would witness a kind of civil disobedience.
threatening his life
These developments came following Al-Sadr made it clear in a tweet on his Twitter account, today, Monday, that he decided to retire permanently, and closed all institutions of his movement except for the shrine, the museum and the Heritage Authority.
He also hinted that his life might be threatened because of his reform project, calling on his supporters to pray for him in case he died or was killed.
sensitive time
Meanwhile, the Executive Committee of the Sadrist movement announced the end of its control over the street demonstrations, which opens the Iraqi scene to all possibilities.
Al-Sadr’s office also prevented his supporters from raising flags, slogans and political chants or speaking in the name of the movement in the media and communication platforms, closing all accounts.
It is noteworthy that this step of retirement comes at a sensitive time in the country, especially since the ongoing political crisis since the last parliamentary elections that took place on the tenth of October (2021), exacerbated last July (2022) with the intensification of the dispute between the Sadrist movement and the framework that includes Nuri al-Maliki. Al-Fateh Alliance, and pro-Iran factions and parties.