Baghdad tensions ease as demonstrators leave to mark religious mourning ceremony

By Bahman Hassan
BAGHDAD – Tensions began to ease in Baghdad on Monday, after powerful Shiite cleric Muqtada al-Sadr told supporters who had stormed the parliament over the weekend to evacuate the capital’s Green Zone and focus on the anniversary of a dead eight century Shiite saint.

Hundreds of Shiite pilgrims arrived in Baghdad en route to a holy Shiite shrine in Iraq’s south for an annual ritual.

Officials said they expected one million pilgrims from Iran, Pakistan, Afghanistan and other parts of the world to arrive in the city of Kazimiyah on Monday and Tuesday to commemorate the mourning anniversary of Imam Musa al-Kazim.

Tight security measures were imposed on Baghdad’s giant Tahrir Square as a massive number of protesters that had gathered over the weekend began leaving the venue, many heading toward Kazimiyeh.

A special religious committee had set up tents along Baghdad streets where pilgrims could receive water, snacks and basic services.

Sources said that protesters were ordered to leave by Sadr, whose loyalists stormed the parliament building on Saturday. They said Sadr was facing some domestic and international pressure demanding he get protesters off the streets and resolve issues through dialogue.

Sources added that Sadr and the committee responsible for organizing the demonstration in Baghdad had called on Iraqis across the country, except the autonomous northern Kurdistan Region, to stage demonstrations in support of the Baghdad protests.

The protests exploded after nearly year-long smaller demonstrations, calling for Iraqi Prime Minister Haidar al-Abadi to throw out corrupt ministers and announce a new government, failed in getting the government to act.

The protesters stormed parliament after a speech by Sadr, in which he warned he could “destroy” the government and announce a new, clean cabinet of ministers.