ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - A large number of supporters of Shiite cleric Muqtada al-Sadr entered Baghdad’s Green Zone early Saturday, protesting against the recent nomination of a politician for the position of prime minister.
For the second time in three days, supporters of Sadr removed the concrete walls of the Green Zone, entering it. They reject the nomination of Mohammed Shia' al-Sudani, Iraq’s former minister of labour and social affairs, as a candidate for the country’s prime minister position by pro-Iran Coordination Framework.
The protesters stormed the parliament building on Wednesday, leaving it only after their leader asked them to “return home.”
Sadrists claim that Sudani is a corrupt politician.
There were reports of injuries among the protesters during Saturday's demonstration.
Iraqi Prime Minister Mustafa al-Kadhimi ordered the security forces on Saturday to “protect” the protesters calling on the protesters to “adhere to peaceful protest and avoid escalations,” according to a statement from Kadhimi.
“The continuation of the political escalation increases tensions in the street and does not serve the public interests,” added Kadhimi.
Iraq's health ministry said in a statement that 60 people were injured in Saturday's protest, without elaborating if they were protesters or members of security forces. The ministry was later quoted by the state media as saying the number of injuries increased to 125, including 25 members of security forces.
The Coordination Framework said in a statement that it was following the protests “with great concern,” claiming that the storming of the parliament is a violation of law.
Sadr, who was the main winner of the October elections, withdrew from the parliament last month after failing to reach an agreement with the rival Coordination Framework to form a government.
The United Nations Assistance Mission for Iraq (UNAMI) said in a tweet on Saturday afternoon that "the ongoing escalation is deeply concerning. Voices of reason and wisdom are critical to prevent further violence. All actors are encouraged to de-escalate in the interest of all Iraqis."
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