Update: Protesters storm parliament as Iraq crisis deepens
BAGHDAD – Hundreds of protesters in Baghdad stormed the parliament building Saturday as the Shiite cleric behind the demonstrations warned he could bring down the Iraqi government.
Protesters who had been gathering for a “million-man” march in Baghdad stormed the legislature, smashing glass and furniture inside. Outside the building, other protesters set a vehicle on fire. .
No MPs were believed to be inside the parliament, as the legislature postponed a session earlier in the afternoon that was supposed to vote on new ministers. Sources said that Kurdish MPs were rushing to the airport to return to the northern Kurdistan Region.
Meanwhile, Shiite Iraqi cleric Muqtada al-Sadr warned he could “destroy” Iraq’s government.
“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 has been pressuring Iraqi Prime Minister Haidar al-Abadi to announce a “government of technocrats.”
Abadi was expected to present five new ministers to parliament 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, sources told Rudaw.
“All the ministers should be changed,” Sadr said. “I am waiting for the nation to announce a revolution against corruption.”
He warned that, “The government has two choices: either reform or we will destroy it.”
Kurdish factions in parliament also have been meeting to discuss ministries that will go to the Kurds, under a power-sharing agreement in multi-religious and multi-ethnic Iraq.
Despite tight security, a car bomb killed 20 and wounded 18 others in the city earlier Saturday.
Protesters who had been gathering for a “million-man” march in Baghdad stormed the legislature, smashing glass and furniture inside. Outside the building, other protesters set a vehicle on fire. .
No MPs were believed to be inside the parliament, as the legislature postponed a session earlier in the afternoon that was supposed to vote on new ministers. Sources said that Kurdish MPs were rushing to the airport to return to the northern Kurdistan Region.
Meanwhile, Shiite Iraqi cleric Muqtada al-Sadr warned he could “destroy” Iraq’s government.
“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 has been pressuring Iraqi Prime Minister Haidar al-Abadi to announce a “government of technocrats.”
Abadi was expected to present five new ministers to parliament 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, sources told Rudaw.
“All the ministers should be changed,” Sadr said. “I am waiting for the nation to announce a revolution against corruption.”
He warned that, “The government has two choices: either reform or we will destroy it.”
Kurdish factions in parliament also have been meeting to discuss ministries that will go to the Kurds, under a power-sharing agreement in multi-religious and multi-ethnic Iraq.
Despite tight security, a car bomb killed 20 and wounded 18 others in the city earlier Saturday.