Supporters of the influential Shia leader Moqtada al-Sadr occupied the parliament in the Iraqi capital Baghdad on Saturday morning. They say they are protesting against corruption in government circles. They are also furious that ten months after the parliamentary elections, there is still no government and negotiations on the appointment of a new prime minister are not moving forward.
Security forces previously unsuccessfully tried to keep thousands of protesters away from the highly secured green zone in the center of the city, which is home to other government institutions and embassies in addition to the parliament. They used tear gas and flash grenades when stones were thrown at them. At least 125 people were injured, including police officers.
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Al-Sadr, whose party became the largest in the elections, withdrew its 74 parliamentarians in June when he failed to form a government.
On Wednesday, al-Sadr supporters also managed to penetrate the green zone and storm the parliament. After a few hours, they gave up their occupation after a call to do so from Al-Sadr. They don’t seem to be giving up their occupation so easily on Saturday. Al-Sadr’s party said a “sit-in” will be held in parliament until further notice. The protesters wave Iraqi flags and portraits of Moqtada al-Sadr. They also take selfies in the halls of parliament.
Government formation failed
The demonstrators mainly protest against prime minister candidate Mohamed Shia al-Sudani, a former minister of Social Affairs and Employment and former provincial governor. He has been put forward by an alliance of pro-Iranian Shia groups bringing together opponents of al-Sadr.
Al-Sadr, whose party became the largest in the elections, withdrew its 74 parliamentarians in June when he failed to form a government. Members of the pro-Iranian groups took the vacant places.
The United Nations mission in Iraq has called for calm.
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