At least 19 protesters and six security personnel were injured when Iraqi security forces fired tear gas yesterday at supporters of the Sadrist movement leader who tried to storm the fortified Green Zone in Baghdad, three days after they entered the Houses of Parliament.
The political crisis in Iraq is getting worse. Ten months after the October 2021 early legislative elections, Iraq is experiencing total political paralysis as the country still lacks a new president and a new government.
In the midst of this political stalemate, the influential Shiite cleric Muqtada al-Sadr is waging a pressure campaign against his political opponents by dropping the name of their candidate for prime minister.
According to a security source, at least 19 protesters were hit on Saturday by tear gas fired by security forces in an attempt to keep them from entering the Green Zone, or after they fell off concrete barriers after security forces doused them with water.
Six security personnel were also injured after being pelted with stones by demonstrators.
Protesters have gathered on at least one bridge leading to the Green Zone, which includes government offices and foreign embassies, and has been reinforced with concrete barriers, an AFP correspondent saw.
Dozens of them managed to reach the Planning Ministry gate leading to the Green Zone, as shown in footage broadcast by Iraqi state television.
According to an AFP correspondent and a security source, demonstrators gathered at the gate while security forces tried to prevent them from passing through by spraying water and throwing tear gas canisters.
On Saturday, most of the demonstrators raised Iraqi flags, while others carried photographs of Muqtada al-Sadr, chanting slogans in his support. The demonstrators chanted: “All the people are with you, Sayyid Muqtada.”
The demonstrators also renewed their opposition to the name of Muhammad Shia al-Sudani, who was nominated by al-Sadr’s political opponents for this position in a coordinating structure that includes Shiite blocs, most notably the State of Law led by former Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki and the Al -Fateh, representing the pro-Iranian faction of the People’s Mobilization.
On Wednesday, thousands of Sadrist supporters stormed the Green Zone parliament building, denouncing the nomination of 52-year-old former minister and governor Muhammad Shia al-Sudani, who comes from a traditional political class, to the premiership.
