Situation in Iraq calms down: supporters of al-Sadr end protest

After two days of violent protests, supporters of Iraqi Shia leader al-Sadr have begun to leave the government district in Baghdad. Al-Sadr had previously urged his supporters to withdraw.

After the escalation of violence in Iraq, the situation in the capital Baghdad has calmed down again. Followers of the influential Shiite preacher Muqtada al-Sadr followed his instructions and ended their protest camp at the parliament. TV pictures showed them dismantling their tents in the government district, the so-called Green Zone. The Iraqi army lifted the curfew in Baghdad.

The UN mission in Iraq (Unami) welcomed Al-Sadr’s “moderate statement”. “Restraint and calm are necessary for sanity to prevail,” she wrote on Twitter.

Acting Iraqi Prime Minister Mustafa al-Kasimi tweeted that al-Sadr’s call to end violence was “the epitome of patriotism.”

At least 25 dead, 400 injured

The month-long power struggle between al-Sadr and his political opponents had previously turned violent. According to the Iraqi army, four rockets were fired into the Green Zone in central Baghdad. Armed supporters of al-Sadr have been fighting there with Iraqi security forces and militias since Monday. The number of deaths rose to at least 25. This was announced by two representatives of the health authorities. At least 400 people were also injured.

Al-Sadr apologized to the “Iraqi people”

Al-Sadr then ordered his supporters to end their protest camp in the government district. In a TV speech, he said it made him sad what had happened. He apologized to the “Iraqi people” who were “the only ones affected by the incidents”. In his speech, al-Sadr announced that he would “repudiate” those of his followers who opposed his request

Al-Sadr’s movement emerged as the strongest force in last October’s parliamentary elections. However, he failed to form a government. He refused to cooperate with the pro-Iranian parties. In this political stalemate, al-Sadr called for the dissolution of parliament and new elections, which his opponents oppose. At the same time, the preacher relied on the pressure of the street.