Events in Baghdad are gaining momentum after thousands of supporters of Sadrist leader Muqtada al-Sadr stormed the heavily fortified Green Zone in the center of the capital, and State of Law coalition head Nuri al-Maliki warned against confrontation before ordering al-Sadr order his supporters to retreat.
Hundreds of al-Sadr supporters entered the headquarters of the Iraqi parliament and the offices of the special committees, where they chanted slogans in support of al-Sadr and against the forces of the “coordination structure” supported by Iran.
Prime Minister, Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces Mustafa Al-Kazemi called on the demonstrators to adhere to peaceful demonstrations and immediately leave the Green Zone.
Al-Kazemi said in a statement: “We call on our protesting sons to respect their peacefulness, guard public and private property, as well as the instructions of the security forces responsible for their protection in accordance with the rules and laws, and immediately withdraw from the green zone.”
“The security forces will be committed to protecting state institutions and international missions, as well as preventing any breach of security and order,” he added.
Al-Sadr urged his supporters to leave and said that this message is corrupt.
Al-Sadr said in a statement: “Reform revolution and rejection of oppression and corruption. Your message has arrived, dear friends. You scared the corrupt. .”
As crowds of demonstrators in the Iraqi parliament roamed its corridors, “coordination structure” forces issued a statement accusing the Sadrist movement of creating chaos.
