Pope Francis calls for dialogue in Iraq following deadly clashes

ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - Head of the Catholic Church Pope Francis on Wednesday called for dialogue to resolve the outstanding issues in Iraq, heightened by the violent intra-Shiite clashes that erupted in the country in recent days.

Iraqi Shiite cleric Muqtada al-Sadr on Monday announced his “definitive retirement” from politics, setting off deadly confrontations between his supporters and loyalists of his pro-Iran rival Coordination Framework.

Pope Francis stated that he was following the events in Baghdad “with concern”, offering prayers for the people of Iraq in light of the deadly clashes that resulted in the killing of at least 30 people, and injuring over 500 others in less than 24 hours.

"Dialogue and fraternity are the way to face current difficulties and reach a peaceful coexistence," said the pontiff in a tweet on Wednesday.

Sadr on Tuesday condemned the violence that ensued from the protests under his name, calling on his supporters to conclude the demonstrations and evacuate Baghdad’s fortified Green Zone, where they had held a sit-in since July.

Sadirst supporters were quick to implement the call of their leader and the tensions swiftly deescalated.

Uncertainty reigns supreme in Iraq as the country is currently in the midst of a deepening political crisis, having failed to form a new government over 10 months following the early elections in October.

Iraqi Prime Minister Mustafa al-Kadhimi on Tuesday threatened that he would resign from his post if the political impasse in the country were to continue.

“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,” Kadhimi said in a televised speech