Iraqi Prime Minister Mustafa al-Kadhimi warned in a televised speech late Tuesday that he will resign from his position if the political paralysis continues in the country.

“I served my people with honour and honesty, and I was never a party or part of the problem, and I was patient with all kinds of abuse, obstruction and declared war from all sides to weaken the state and its decision or blackmail it or reduce everything that was achieved for electoral goals, and for reasons that do not belong to the essence of Iraqi patriotism,” said Kadhimi.  

He added that despite this he did not abandon his responsibility and that supports peaceful transfer of power. 

“I warn from here that if they want to continue to stir up chaos, conflict, discord, and rivalry … I will take my moral and patriotic step and vacate my post at the appropriate time," he added. 

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Iraqi President Barham Salih said in a televised statement late Tuesday that the end of the recent clashes in the capital city of Baghdad does not mean the end of the current political crisis. 

Muqtada al-Sadr, a powerful Shiite cleric, ordered supporters on Tuesday to withdraw from Baghdad’s Green Zone following weeks of protests which turned violent on Monday. This ended the clashes between his supporters and some rival armed groups. 

“The end of violence and clashes is necessary to save the blood of Iraqis, but it does not mean the end of the political crisis that has been in the country for months,” Salih said in his statement. 

He applauded Sadr for ending the violence. 

Salih also said that the recent unrest did not emerge suddenly but was the result of the failure of the governance system which has been in place for nearly two decades. .  
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The US embassy in Baghdad said in a statement late Tuesday that it welcomes “calls for protesters to immediately cease conflict and withdraw from government institutions.”

“We are encouraged by reports that participants have begun to disperse. We urge all citizens to allow their government institutions to continue to function in support of Iraq’s security, stability and sovereignty. The urgent challenges facing Iraq can only be resolved through serious dialogue. Now is the time,” it added. 

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Kurdistan Region President Nechirvan Barzani welcomed Shiite cleric Muqtada al-Sadr’s call to end protests in Baghdad’s Green Zone.

“We support his responsible and national position,” Barzani wrote on Twitter.

He also reiterated his call for dialogue to save Iraq from the political impasse suffocating it. 

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Supporters of Shiite cleric Muqtada al-Sadr started to withdraw from Baghdad’s Green Zone after he urged them to end the protests and deadly clashes.

Iraqi officials welcomed Sadr’s call.

Prime Minister Mustafa al-Kadhimi commended Sadr for his call to end violence, saying it “represents the highest levels of patriotism and keenness to preserve Iraqi blood.”

“Your stance is as big as Iraq, which deserves a lot from us,” wrote parliament speaker Mohammed al-Halbousi on Twitter.

Iraq's National Security Advisor Qasim al-Araji also thanked Sadr in a tweet.

United Nations Assistance Mission for Iraq (UNAMI) also welcomed Sadr’s “most recent moderate declaration,” reiterating that “restraint and calm are necessary for reason to prevail.”

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Iraqi Shiite cleric Muqtada al-Sadr gave his supporters one hour to withdraw from Baghdad’s Green Zone in a televised speech, warning them against facing “other consequences” if they fail to do so.

Sadr ordered his supporters to leave the Green Zone and the parliament vicinity “within sixty minutes,” in a televised speech.

Tensions in Iraq hit a peak shortly after powerful Sadr said he was quitting politics on Monday, and chaos spread in Baghdad’s fortified Green Zone as Sadr supporters stormed the Republican Palace which was shortly followed by clashes.

Sadr strongly condemned the event that unfolded following his retirement, saying he wanted peaceful protests and that he opposed the use of weapons.

“A revolution marred by violence and murder is not a revolution,” he said, apologizing to the Iraqi people. 

Sadr also addressed his resignation, stating that it was done in accordance with the law and that he is a normal Iraqi citizen now with no affiliation to politics and reiterating that his retirement is “final.”

Iraq also lifted curfew in Baghdad and other provinces in the country shortly after Sadr’s speech.

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Canada urged its nationals to leave Iraq as fighting between rival forces raged for the second day in Baghdad’s Green Zone.

“If you are in Iraq, leave by commercial means when permitted and it is safe to do so," read a tweet from the Canadian embassy in Baghdad.

Twenty-three supporters for Muqtada al-Sadr have been killed since clashes erupted on Monday and 380 others have been injured, AFP reported.

Both Turkey and Kuwait have also urged their citizens to leave Iraq, while the United Arab Emirates (UAE) suspended its flights to and from Baghdad.

Iran also closed its border with Iraq and “some” of its airlines canceled their flights to the Iraqi capital. 

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France said it is “gravely concerned” about the escalation in violence in Iraq amid ongoing clashes between Iran-backed militias and powerful Muqtada al-Sadr’s Saraya al-Salam militia.

France called on parties “to exercise the greatest restraint,” and to “immediately” stop clashes.

Diplomatic missions in Iraq, the United States, and the United Kingdom condemned the unrest in the country.

The US State Department called on “all those involved to remain calm and pursue peaceful avenues of redress.”

Tensions in Iraq hit a peak shortly after powerful Shiite cleric Muqtada al-Sadr said he was quitting politics and chaos spread in Baghdad’s fortified Green Zone as Sadr supporters stormed the Republican Palace that was shortly followed by clashes.

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Prime Minister of the Kurdistan Region Masrour Barzani spoke to Iraq premier Mustafa al-Kadhimi about the ongoing unrest across the country, stressing that the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) is ready to help the federal government to restore peace and stability.

“It is time for a full and frank dialogue about the deep, serious issue the country faces,” Barzani said, adding that differences must be accepted and the resolution of the situation requires a “durable” solution.

Fighting between Iran-backed militias and Muqtada al-Sadr’s Sara al-Salam continued on Tuesday in Baghdad’s Green Zone, which houses government buildings and diplomatic missions.

Four rockets hit the Green Zone earlier in the day, Security Media Cell said shortly before military reinforcement arrived in the area.

The civil unrest in Baghdad raised concerns of the United Nations, the United States, and others.

Kurdistan Region President on Monday said he is observing the developments in Baghdad “with deep concern,” calling on all parties to practice self-restraint and prevent further escalation of the crises.

President Barzani renewed his invitation to political parties to Erbil to resolve the political crisis suffocating Iraq.

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Military reinforcements of Muqtada al-Sadr's Saraya al-Salam militia arrived in Baghdad's Green Zone early Tuesday, as clashes with Iran-backed militias continued. 

Rudaw's live footage showed heavy gunfire between the militias. 

The fight between the two began on Monday evening after powerful Shiite cleric Muqtada al-Sadr said he was quitting politics, fueling the war-torn country with uncertainty.

Twenty-three Sadr supporters have so far been killed, AFP reported. 

The Shiite cleric has previously made such withdrawal announcements but returned to politics shortly after making them.

 

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Fighting between Iran-backed militias and Muqrada al-Sadr’s Sara al-Salam continued on Tuesday in Baghdad’s Green Zone, which houses government buildings and diplomatic missions.

The death toll has risen to 23, AFP cited medics as saying with at least 380 others injured.

Clashes between the two began on Monday evening after powerful Shiite cleric Muqtada al-Sadr said he was quitting politics, fueling the war-torn country with uncertainty.

Protests of Sadr supporters began to spread across other Iraqi provinces with the government announcing a curfew in the cities and declaring Tuesday a public holiday.

Turkey and Kuwait urged their nationals to avoid traveling to Iraq amid the civil unrest, while the United Arab Emirates and “some” Iranian airlines suspended flights to Baghdad. 

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