Baghdad: Hundreds of Iraqi supporters fired shots and rocket-propelled grenades into the country’s “Green Zone” after influential Shia cleric Muqtada al-Sadr announced his withdrawal from politics. At the same time, Iraq’s security forces opened fire in retaliation. A month-long political crisis in the Middle East nation has turned tense.
Violent clashes broke out between al-Sadr supporters and security forces, in which at least 30 protesters were killed. Supporters first attacked the ‘Green Zone’ after the cleric resigned on Monday amid political turmoil. Iraq’s government has been at a standstill since cleric Muqtada al-Sadr’s party won the most seats in October’s parliamentary elections but failed to reach a majority.
He had refused to negotiate with Iran-backed Shia rivals to form a consensus government. There are signs of a deepening political crisis in the country due to violence. However, in some places in the country, people remained off the streets and the atmosphere remained largely calm. At the same time, Iran closed its borders with Iraq. Tehran fears that a wave of skirmishes could spread there.
Live broadcasts of local television showed supporters of al-Sadr throwing heavy machine guns and rocket-propelled grenades and security forces firing from the ‘green zone’ in retaliation. At the same time, oblivious to the danger, passers-by filmed the shootout with their mobile phones. Armored tankers were seen standing around the ‘Green Zone’ after al-Sadr supporters stopped the attack.
A plume of thick black smoke was visible at one point in the area from several kilometers (miles) away. Television footage showed an injured man being carried in a three-wheeled rickshaw alongside the Iraqi Foreign Ministry. At least 30 protesters have been killed and more than 400 injured in the overnight clashes, according to two Iraqi medical officials. The dead included both loyalists of al-Sadr, who died in protests a day earlier.
On the lines of anonymity, officials said that the death toll is expected to rise. This is not the first time that al-Sadr has announced his retirement. He has made such announcements earlier as well. Many termed al-Sadr’s move as yet another attempt to gain an edge against rivals amid the current standoff. However, some have expressed apprehension that his move this time may worsen the situation in the country, which is already bad.
Iran attributed the border closure to clashes in Iraq and a military-imposed curfew. The people of Iran were urged to avoid any travel to the neighboring country. On Monday, hundreds of demonstrators pulled down a cement barricade outside the Republican Palace and ransacked the palace gates. Many of the protesters reached the auditorium of the palace. Iraq’s military on Monday announced a citywide curfew aimed at quelling rising tensions.
