The political crisis in Iraq is coming to a head: Even months after the parliamentary elections, there is no new government. Now the election winner, Muqtada al-Sadr, is announcing his retirement from politics – and his supporters are taking to the barricades. The violence escalated in front of the government palace.
Supporters of the influential Shiite leader Muqtada al-Sadr have stormed the government palace in Baghdad. At least eleven people were killed in the clashes with the security forces, and 160 people were injured, according to medical circles. Iraqi forces fired shots and tear gas to evict protesters from the government palace.
Shortly before the storm, the 48-year-old cleric al-Sadr announced his retirement from politics. The office of Prime Minister Mustafa al-Kasimi is located in the building in what is actually a highly secured Green Zone. This further intensifies the political crisis in Iraq after demonstrators broke into the parliament building a month ago.
Ten months after the parliamentary elections, the parties are still unable to agree on a president or head of government, while the country is suffering from an economic crisis, inflation and corruption. Although al-Sadr’s movement emerged as the clear winner in the election, it failed to secure the important two-thirds majority required for the presidential election. This created a political stalemate.
For the second time since 2014, al-Sadr has announced his retirement from politics. Less than two hours after the announcement, demonstrators poured into the Green Zone. The protesters removed barriers and climbed over fences. Security forces tried to disperse the crowd with water cannons. The siege of the palace continued despite a curfew in place from mid-afternoon. Witnesses reported hearing shots inside the Green Zone late that evening.
UN Secretary-General António Guterres expressed concern about the protests. UN spokesman Stephane Dujarric said in New York that he called for calm and restraint and appealed to all relevant actors to take immediate steps to de-escalate and avoid any violence. All parties and actors should overcome their differences and, without further delay, engage in peaceful and comprehensive dialogue on a constructive path forward.