Tuesday’s move came shortly after al-Sadr called on his supporters to stand down and demanded an end to fighting between rival Shiite forces and the army that left 30 dead and hundreds wounded. “I apologize to the Iraqi people, the only ones affected by the events,” al-Sadr told reporters from his base in the central Iraqi city of Najaf. After his speech was broadcast live on television, his supporters began dismantling encampments and cleaning up the Green Belt, where municipal workers began cleaning up shells and casings left in the aftermath of the riots. Soon after, the military lifted a nationwide curfew imposed by the violence that erupted on Monday, raising hopes that the deadliest violence in years may be halted. The recent violence also prompted Iraqi President Barham Saleh to push for “new, early elections in line with a national consensus”, saying they could offer “a way out of the suffocating crisis”. Later on Tuesday, Iraqi Prime Minister Mustafa al-Qadimi said he would “vacate his position” if the complicated political situation in the country continued. Al Sadr supporters take to streets after violent clashes near Baghdad’s Green Zone [Ahmed Saad/Reuters] The unrest began on Monday when al-Sadr announced he was stepping down from politics and his supporters stormed the Green Zone, once a United States military stronghold that now houses Iraqi government offices and foreign embassies. “This is not a revolution,” al-Sadr said in his televised address, which followed calls for restraint and peace from several Iraqi officials and the United Nations. His decision to quit politics came after weeks of protests by his supporters in the wake of a political crisis that has left the country without a new government, prime minister or president for months. International Crisis Group Iraq analyst Lahib Higel said al-Sadr “clearly wants to show his opponents that he has control over his crowd” by ordering them to take to the streets and return when things escalate too much. “Sadr’s statement was quite clear, indicating that he does not wish for further escalation,” Higel told Al Jazeera. Al-Sadr, a gray-bearded Muslim leader with millions of devoted followers who once led a militia against U.S. and Iraqi government forces after the U.S. toppled Saddam Hussein in 2003, announced Monday his “final retirement” and said he had ” decided not to get involved in political affairs.” Clashes raged Monday night and Tuesday morning between al-Sadr supporters and the army and Hashd al-Shaabi men, former Tehran-backed paramilitaries who have been integrated into Iraqi forces. On Tuesday, medics put the death toll of al-Sadr supporters at 30, while another 570 were injured – some with bullet wounds and others suffering from tear gas inhalation. A mass funeral was held Tuesday in Najaf, a Shiite holy city, for some of the protesters killed in Baghdad.
Government impasse
Iraq’s government has been deadlocked since al-Sadr’s party won the largest share of seats in October’s parliamentary elections, but not enough to secure a majority government – unleashing months of infighting between different Shiite factions. Al Sadr has refused to negotiate with his Iranian-backed Shiite rivals, and his departure on Monday has thrown Iraq into political uncertainty. Sarkawt Shamsuldin, a former Iraqi parliamentarian, said that as long as there are “fundamental problems” and “corruption” in Iraq, there will always be grievances between people, regardless of their relationships. “There are broader calls in Iraq for constitutional reforms … and there are also calls to get Iraq back on track economically,” Samsuldin told Al Jazeera. “The only problem preventing Iraqis from having a prosperous life is politics and the ruling elite,” he said. “The Sadrists have taken over 300 positions in senior political positions in the government,” Samsuldin said “They are a big part of the current crisis in Iraq.” Also on Tuesday, Iran reopened its border with Iraq after a brief closure and resumed flights to the neighboring country. Earlier on Tuesday, al-Sadr supporters could be seen on live television firing machine guns and grenades into the heavily fortified area through a section of demolished concrete walls. Security forces armed with machine guns inside the zone sporadically returned fire. Al-Sadr’s nationalist rhetoric and reformist agenda resonate strongly with his supporters, who largely come from the poorest sections of Iraqi society and have historically been excluded from the political system.
title: “Iraqi Al Sadr Supporters Leave Green Zone After Violence News Klmat” ShowToc: true date: “2022-10-30” author: “Chris Jackson”
Tuesday’s move came shortly after al-Sadr called on his supporters to stand down and demanded an end to fighting between rival Shiite forces and the army that left 30 dead and hundreds wounded. “I apologize to the Iraqi people, the only ones affected by the events,” al-Sadr told reporters from his base in the central Iraqi city of Najaf. After his speech was broadcast live on television, his supporters began dismantling encampments and cleaning up the Green Belt, where municipal workers began cleaning up shells and casings left in the aftermath of the riots. Soon after, the military lifted a nationwide curfew imposed by the violence that erupted on Monday, raising hopes that the deadliest violence in years may be halted. The recent violence also prompted Iraqi President Barham Saleh to push for “new, early elections in line with a national consensus”, saying they could offer “a way out of the suffocating crisis”. Later on Tuesday, Iraqi Prime Minister Mustafa al-Qadimi said he would “vacate his position” if the complicated political situation in the country continued. Al Sadr supporters take to streets after violent clashes near Baghdad’s Green Zone [Ahmed Saad/Reuters] The unrest began on Monday when al-Sadr announced he was stepping down from politics and his supporters stormed the Green Zone, once a United States military stronghold that now houses Iraqi government offices and foreign embassies. “This is not a revolution,” al-Sadr said in his televised address, which followed calls for restraint and peace from several Iraqi officials and the United Nations. His decision to quit politics came after weeks of protests by his supporters in the wake of a political crisis that has left the country without a new government, prime minister or president for months. International Crisis Group Iraq analyst Lahib Higel said al-Sadr “clearly wants to show his opponents that he has control over his crowd” by ordering them to take to the streets and return when things escalate too much. “Sadr’s statement was quite clear, indicating that he does not wish for further escalation,” Higel told Al Jazeera. Al-Sadr, a gray-bearded Muslim leader with millions of devoted followers who once led a militia against U.S. and Iraqi government forces after the U.S. toppled Saddam Hussein in 2003, announced Monday his “final retirement” and said he had ” decided not to get involved in political affairs.” Clashes raged Monday night and Tuesday morning between al-Sadr supporters and the army and Hashd al-Shaabi men, former Tehran-backed paramilitaries who have been integrated into Iraqi forces. On Tuesday, medics put the death toll of al-Sadr supporters at 30, while another 570 were injured – some with bullet wounds and others suffering from tear gas inhalation. A mass funeral was held Tuesday in Najaf, a Shiite holy city, for some of the protesters killed in Baghdad.
Government impasse
Iraq’s government has been deadlocked since al-Sadr’s party won the largest share of seats in October’s parliamentary elections, but not enough to secure a majority government – unleashing months of infighting between different Shiite factions. Al Sadr has refused to negotiate with his Iranian-backed Shiite rivals, and his departure on Monday has thrown Iraq into political uncertainty. Sarkawt Shamsuldin, a former Iraqi parliamentarian, said that as long as there are “fundamental problems” and “corruption” in Iraq, there will always be grievances between people, regardless of their relationships. “There are broader calls in Iraq for constitutional reforms … and there are also calls to get Iraq back on track economically,” Samsuldin told Al Jazeera. “The only problem preventing Iraqis from having a prosperous life is politics and the ruling elite,” he said. “The Sadrists have taken over 300 positions in senior political positions in the government,” Samsuldin said “They are a big part of the current crisis in Iraq.” Also on Tuesday, Iran reopened its border with Iraq after a brief closure and resumed flights to the neighboring country. Earlier on Tuesday, al-Sadr supporters could be seen on live television firing machine guns and grenades into the heavily fortified area through a section of demolished concrete walls. Security forces armed with machine guns inside the zone sporadically returned fire. Al-Sadr’s nationalist rhetoric and reformist agenda resonate strongly with his supporters, who largely come from the poorest sections of Iraqi society and have historically been excluded from the political system.
title: “Iraqi Al Sadr Supporters Leave Green Zone After Violence News Klmat” ShowToc: true date: “2022-12-06” author: “Alice Walton”
Tuesday’s move came shortly after al-Sadr called on his supporters to stand down and demanded an end to fighting between rival Shiite forces and the army that left 30 dead and hundreds wounded. “I apologize to the Iraqi people, the only ones affected by the events,” al-Sadr told reporters from his base in the central Iraqi city of Najaf. After his speech was broadcast live on television, his supporters began dismantling encampments and cleaning up the Green Belt, where municipal workers began cleaning up shells and casings left in the aftermath of the riots. Soon after, the military lifted a nationwide curfew imposed by the violence that erupted on Monday, raising hopes that the deadliest violence in years may be halted. The recent violence also prompted Iraqi President Barham Saleh to push for “new, early elections in line with a national consensus”, saying they could offer “a way out of the suffocating crisis”. Later on Tuesday, Iraqi Prime Minister Mustafa al-Qadimi said he would “vacate his position” if the complicated political situation in the country continued. Al Sadr supporters take to streets after violent clashes near Baghdad’s Green Zone [Ahmed Saad/Reuters] The unrest began on Monday when al-Sadr announced he was stepping down from politics and his supporters stormed the Green Zone, once a United States military stronghold that now houses Iraqi government offices and foreign embassies. “This is not a revolution,” al-Sadr said in his televised address, which followed calls for restraint and peace from several Iraqi officials and the United Nations. His decision to quit politics came after weeks of protests by his supporters in the wake of a political crisis that has left the country without a new government, prime minister or president for months. International Crisis Group Iraq analyst Lahib Higel said al-Sadr “clearly wants to show his opponents that he has control over his crowd” by ordering them to take to the streets and return when things escalate too much. “Sadr’s statement was quite clear, indicating that he does not wish for further escalation,” Higel told Al Jazeera. Al-Sadr, a gray-bearded Muslim leader with millions of devoted followers who once led a militia against U.S. and Iraqi government forces after the U.S. toppled Saddam Hussein in 2003, announced Monday his “final retirement” and said he had ” decided not to get involved in political affairs.” Clashes raged Monday night and Tuesday morning between al-Sadr supporters and the army and Hashd al-Shaabi men, former Tehran-backed paramilitaries who have been integrated into Iraqi forces. On Tuesday, medics put the death toll of al-Sadr supporters at 30, while another 570 were injured – some with bullet wounds and others suffering from tear gas inhalation. A mass funeral was held Tuesday in Najaf, a Shiite holy city, for some of the protesters killed in Baghdad.
Government impasse
Iraq’s government has been deadlocked since al-Sadr’s party won the largest share of seats in October’s parliamentary elections, but not enough to secure a majority government – unleashing months of infighting between different Shiite factions. Al Sadr has refused to negotiate with his Iranian-backed Shiite rivals, and his departure on Monday has thrown Iraq into political uncertainty. Sarkawt Shamsuldin, a former Iraqi parliamentarian, said that as long as there are “fundamental problems” and “corruption” in Iraq, there will always be grievances between people, regardless of their relationships. “There are broader calls in Iraq for constitutional reforms … and there are also calls to get Iraq back on track economically,” Samsuldin told Al Jazeera. “The only problem preventing Iraqis from having a prosperous life is politics and the ruling elite,” he said. “The Sadrists have taken over 300 positions in senior political positions in the government,” Samsuldin said “They are a big part of the current crisis in Iraq.” Also on Tuesday, Iran reopened its border with Iraq after a brief closure and resumed flights to the neighboring country. Earlier on Tuesday, al-Sadr supporters could be seen on live television firing machine guns and grenades into the heavily fortified area through a section of demolished concrete walls. Security forces armed with machine guns inside the zone sporadically returned fire. Al-Sadr’s nationalist rhetoric and reformist agenda resonate strongly with his supporters, who largely come from the poorest sections of Iraqi society and have historically been excluded from the political system.
title: “Iraqi Al Sadr Supporters Leave Green Zone After Violence News Klmat” ShowToc: true date: “2022-11-11” author: “Roxana Gonez”
Tuesday’s move came shortly after al-Sadr called on his supporters to stand down and demanded an end to fighting between rival Shiite forces and the army that left 30 dead and hundreds wounded. “I apologize to the Iraqi people, the only ones affected by the events,” al-Sadr told reporters from his base in the central Iraqi city of Najaf. After his speech was broadcast live on television, his supporters began dismantling encampments and cleaning up the Green Belt, where municipal workers began cleaning up shells and casings left in the aftermath of the riots. Soon after, the military lifted a nationwide curfew imposed by the violence that erupted on Monday, raising hopes that the deadliest violence in years may be halted. The recent violence also prompted Iraqi President Barham Saleh to push for “new, early elections in line with a national consensus”, saying they could offer “a way out of the suffocating crisis”. Later on Tuesday, Iraqi Prime Minister Mustafa al-Qadimi said he would “vacate his position” if the complicated political situation in the country continued. Al Sadr supporters take to streets after violent clashes near Baghdad’s Green Zone [Ahmed Saad/Reuters] The unrest began on Monday when al-Sadr announced he was stepping down from politics and his supporters stormed the Green Zone, once a United States military stronghold that now houses Iraqi government offices and foreign embassies. “This is not a revolution,” al-Sadr said in his televised address, which followed calls for restraint and peace from several Iraqi officials and the United Nations. His decision to quit politics came after weeks of protests by his supporters in the wake of a political crisis that has left the country without a new government, prime minister or president for months. International Crisis Group Iraq analyst Lahib Higel said al-Sadr “clearly wants to show his opponents that he has control over his crowd” by ordering them to take to the streets and return when things escalate too much. “Sadr’s statement was quite clear, indicating that he does not wish for further escalation,” Higel told Al Jazeera. Al-Sadr, a gray-bearded Muslim leader with millions of devoted followers who once led a militia against U.S. and Iraqi government forces after the U.S. toppled Saddam Hussein in 2003, announced Monday his “final retirement” and said he had ” decided not to get involved in political affairs.” Clashes raged Monday night and Tuesday morning between al-Sadr supporters and the army and Hashd al-Shaabi men, former Tehran-backed paramilitaries who have been integrated into Iraqi forces. On Tuesday, medics put the death toll of al-Sadr supporters at 30, while another 570 were injured – some with bullet wounds and others suffering from tear gas inhalation. A mass funeral was held Tuesday in Najaf, a Shiite holy city, for some of the protesters killed in Baghdad.
Government impasse
Iraq’s government has been deadlocked since al-Sadr’s party won the largest share of seats in October’s parliamentary elections, but not enough to secure a majority government – unleashing months of infighting between different Shiite factions. Al Sadr has refused to negotiate with his Iranian-backed Shiite rivals, and his departure on Monday has thrown Iraq into political uncertainty. Sarkawt Shamsuldin, a former Iraqi parliamentarian, said that as long as there are “fundamental problems” and “corruption” in Iraq, there will always be grievances between people, regardless of their relationships. “There are broader calls in Iraq for constitutional reforms … and there are also calls to get Iraq back on track economically,” Samsuldin told Al Jazeera. “The only problem preventing Iraqis from having a prosperous life is politics and the ruling elite,” he said. “The Sadrists have taken over 300 positions in senior political positions in the government,” Samsuldin said “They are a big part of the current crisis in Iraq.” Also on Tuesday, Iran reopened its border with Iraq after a brief closure and resumed flights to the neighboring country. Earlier on Tuesday, al-Sadr supporters could be seen on live television firing machine guns and grenades into the heavily fortified area through a section of demolished concrete walls. Security forces armed with machine guns inside the zone sporadically returned fire. Al-Sadr’s nationalist rhetoric and reformist agenda resonate strongly with his supporters, who largely come from the poorest sections of Iraqi society and have historically been excluded from the political system.
