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Thousands of demonstrators opposed to Iraq’s powerful cleric Moqtada al-Sadr staged a protest on Monday at the edge of Baghdad’s fortified government zone, where Sadr’s supporters were holding an open-ended occupation of Iraq’s parliament.
The rival Shi’ite Muslim groups are affiliated with heavily armed militias, raising fears of clashes as tension soars over the failure to form a government nearly 10 months after an October election – the country’s longest post-election deadlock.
Sadr’s opponents include a grouping of parties and militias mostly aligned with Iran. That grouping, known as the Shi’ite Coordination Framework, said Monday’s protest aimed to protect state institutions against the civil unrest of the Sadrists.
Outside Baghdad’s Green Zone, which houses the parliament building which Sadr’s supporters took over last week, the protesters threw stones at police. From behind concrete barriers, police responded by spraying them with water.
“We’ll stay here if we’re told, and march in if we’re told,” said one of the protesters, Abu Ahmed al-Basri, a 58-year-old teacher from Basra, waving a banner calling for the downfall of outgoing Prime Minister Mustafa al-Kadhimi – who remains as caretaker until a new government is formed.
Supporters of Sadr said they were awaiting his command. “We’re ready for whatever Sadr orders,” said Kadhim Haitham, on his way to join the parliament sit-in. “We’re against the Framework. All they’ve got is statements and no popular support.”
Sadr supporters stormed parliament with ease twice last week as security forces stood back.
A commander of a pro-Iran militia said he feared clashes on Monday and hoped calm heads would prevail.
“The situation in Iraq is very tough. We hope God will deliver us from fighting among the brothers. If things devolve, it will ruin the whole region,” the…
Source : france24
