Crisis in Iraq: Al-Sadr supporters storm palace

The political crisis in Iraq is coming to a head: supporters of the Shiite leader Al-Sadr stormed the government palace. The army imposed a curfew. Shortly before, al-Sadr had announced his retirement from politics.

Supporters of Iraqi Shia leader Muqtada al-Sadr stormed the government palace in Baghdad. Earlier, in a surprising about-face, al-Sadr announced his withdrawal from Iraqi politics and the closure of his party’s offices.

Thousands of Sadr supporters had moved to the particularly tightly secured “Green Zone” in the Iraqi capital. Among other things, the office of Prime Minister Mustafa al-Kasimi is located there. The protesters knocked down cement barriers, some bearing photos of al-Sadr. “This is a people’s revolution, not a Sadrist movement,” some shouted. Others called for the “overthrow of the regime”.

The army imposed a curfew and called on people to leave the “Green Zone” immediately and exercise restraint “to avoid clashes and the shedding of Iraqi blood.” “The security forces reaffirm their responsibility to protect government institutions, international missions, public and private property,” the statement said.

“If I Die or Be Killed”

This further intensifies the political crisis in Iraq after demonstrators broke into the parliament building a month ago. Ten months after the parliamentary elections, the parties are still unable to agree on a president or head of government, while the country is suffering from an economic crisis, inflation and corruption.

Al-Sadr’s movement had won the election but failed to secure the important two-thirds majority required for the presidential election. A new government can only be formed with the support of the head of state. This created a political stalemate.

Al-Sadr wanted to end proportional representation

It is the second time since 2014 that al-Sadr has announced his retirement from politics. “I had decided not to get involved in political affairs, but now I am announcing my final retirement and the closure of all facilities,” he tweeted. Religious institutions directly associated with him are excluded. “If I die or am killed, I ask for your prayers.”

Al-Sadr thus gave up his attempt to reform the political system in Iraq with the help of parliament. After the fall of the dictator Saddam Hussein, the USA introduced a system of proportional representation, according to which the president must always be a Kurd, the prime minister a Shiite and the speaker of the parliament a Sunni.