ERBIL, Kurdistan Region—Shia cleric Moqtada al-Sadr has issued a statement supporting the protesters who stormed Baghdad’s Green Zone on Friday and slamming security forces for the use of force that killed three protesters and one journalist. “I respect your choice and your peaceful spontaneous revolt,” Sadr’s statement read. “Curse the government that kills its children in cold blood.” Thousands of Sadr’s supporters gathered in Baghdad’s Tahrir Square on Friday afternoon and then headed to the fortified Green Zone, which houses government buildings and foreign consulates. Reports indicate that protesters damaged Komari Bridge. Security forces opened fire with live rounds and tear gas, Rudaw’s correspondent Bahman Hassan reported from the scene. Three protesters were killed. One journalist, a reporter for Al-Ahad TV was also killed. Twenty-five protesters and at least three other journalists were wounded. Protesters chanted, “Oh army, the country is hurt! Don’t side with the corrupt!” Protesters broke down the gates and entered the Cabinet of Ministers and the Prime Minister’s office. Baghdad’s governor called on Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi to “stop killing people.” Later Friday evening, protesters left the Green Zone and security forces resumed control of the governmental offices. The city remains under curfew. This is the second time in less than a month that Sadr supporters have breached the Green Zone’s defences and stormed government buildings. On April 30, hundreds of protesters took over the parliament, demanding reform and an end to corruption.
