BAGHDAD, Iraq—Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi has said the situation in Baghdad is “under the control of the security forces,” and urged demonstrators to remain peaceful. Protesters meanwhile have dug in, erecting tents outside the parliament building and taking over a nearby public square. Hundreds of impassioned protesters stormed Baghdad’s Green Zone Saturday afternoon and took over the parliament, demanding reform. Demonstrators tore down concrete blast walls to breach the high security zone in the center of the city. One Internet commentator likened the scenes of people pulling down the concrete slabs to images of the pulling down of the statue of former dictator Saddam Hussein in 2003. A state of emergency was declared and the military was deployed, including Special Forces stationed around national banks. The protests were predominantly peaceful but isolated incidents of violence occurred. Some lawmakers were beaten with flags and some demonstrators smashed car windows. At one entrance to the Green Zone, Iraqi security forces fired tear gas at protesters and live rounds into the air. About two hours after the protesters took over the parliament, Iraq’s counterterrorism forces, called in as reinforcements, announced that they were standing down. Sabah al-Numan, spokesman for the counterterrorism forces, said they view today’s events as a “demonstration,” and not related to terrorism. He noted that his forces would intervene to “protect the legitimacy of the government” if the situation escalated. While there was some vandalism inside the legislature, photos shared on social media appeared to show protesters cleaning up after themselves with brooms and mops. Other photos showed protesters sharing watermelon with security personnel. Many protesters took the opportunity to take selfies inside the legislature. Most MPs were able to flee the building before the protesters reached the main hall, but at least five were trapped inside. A group of 70 Kurdish and Sunni MPs managed to fly to Erbil, the capital of the Kurdistan Region. One Kurdish MP told Rudaw that Abadi was too weak to control the situation in Baghdad. Demonstrators, who continued to stream into the Green Zone throughout the afternoon and evening, are loyal to Shiite cleric Muqtada al-Sadr. Sadr has been leading calls for reform of the Iraqi government. Hundreds of thousands of demonstrators have taken to the streets at Sadr’s call in recent weeks. In a speech on Saturday, Sadr warned he could “destroy” Iraq’s government. Sadr was not in Baghdad himself for the demonstration. He spoke from the city of Najaf, 170 kilometers south of the capital. “I am promising you that I will not make any agreements with other politicians. I work for the benefit of the nation,” Sadr said in a speech in the holy city of Najaf. “If the nation lets me I can end the current government and form a new one without any corruption,” said the firebrand cleric, who vowed to “work for the benefit of the nation.” Abadi was expected to present five new ministers to parliament for a vote on Saturday, as he reshuffles his government to meet demands to root out corruption, under pressure from Sadr supporters and other Iraqis. But the session was postponed, Kurdish MP Khasro Goran told Rudaw, after insufficient numbers of MPs attended Saturday’s sitting in the legislature. 105 MPs were on strike over the proposed announcement. “I am waiting for the nation to announce a revolution against corruption,” Sadr said, warning that, “The government has two choices: either reform or we will destroy it.” One protester inside the parliament said, “I have a say.” “We are sick of problems. We are sick of this parliament and failed government,” said another. Another vowed that today’s protest was not the end. “We will do more than this! More than this!” The international community is condemning today’s violence and calling for calm. Federica Mogherini, EU foreign affairs chief, issued a statement on Saturday in which she said the protests risk further destabilization of an already fragile situation. “It appears as deliberate disruption of the democratic process,” reads her statement, which calls for “rapid restoration of order.” The United Nations’ mission in Iraq (UNAMI) called urged restraint in a press release. “The Mission condemns the use of violence, including against elected officials, and urges clam, restraint and respect for Iraq’s constitutional institutions at this crucial juncture.” UNAMI urged all parties to engage in dialogue. They also noted that they are still operating from their headquarters within the Green Zone.
