Moqtada Sadr’s opponents, supporters of the powerful alliance of pro-Iran Shia factions called the “Coordinating Framework”, nevertheless stressed that the rally “was not directed against any particular group”, according to calls relayed on the social networks.
With a huge popular base, Mr. Sadr has again demonstrated that he was capable of mobilizing to advance his pawns, after rejecting a candidate for the post of Prime Minister presented by the “Coordination Framework”.
His supporters on Saturday stormed the seat of Parliament in the ultra-secure Green Zone, which houses government institutions and Western embassies. And they’ve been camping there ever since.
In anticipation of the calls to demonstrate conveyed by supporters of the “Coordination Framework”, the security forces deployed in Baghdad an important security device and several checkpoints.
According to messages circulating on social networks, the rally is scheduled for 5 p.m. local time (2 p.m. GMT) on an avenue in central Baghdad leading to the Green Zone.
But instructions relayed by these same messages prohibit entry into the Green Zone. The stated objective is to “defend the state and its legitimacy”, and the gathering “is not directed against a particular person or group”, it is written.
The “Coordination Framework” includes in particular Hachd al-Chaabi, former paramilitaries integrated into the regular forces, as well as the formation of the former Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki – historical enemy of Mr. Sadr.
On Monday, an official from Mr. Maliki’s party confirmed the veracity of the calls to demonstrate.
For his part, a close friend of Mr. Sadr called on his supporters to demonstrate at the same time, at 5:00 p.m., across the provinces of Iraq.
On Sunday, Moqtada Sadr called for the mobilization to continue, seeing in it “an extraordinary opportunity for a fundamental change in the political system”.
The “Coordination Framework” saw a call for a “coup” against the institutions, however reiterating the need for dialogue.
Since the legislative elections of October 2021, Iraq has experienced political paralysis.
Months of negotiations between the major parties have failed to elect a new President of the Republic or a new head of government.
Famous for his volte-face, Mr. Sadr put pressure on his adversaries when he had left the task of forming a government to them, causing his 73 deputies to resign in June.
Before their resignation, its elected representatives represented the first bloc in Parliament.
