Unrest in Iraq: government quarters shelled with rockets

The unrest resulting from the political withdrawal of the Iraqi Shiite leader al-Sadr threatens to escalate: according to the military, rockets have been fired at the secured Green Zone. Neighboring countries have already closed their national borders.

According to the Iraqi military, four rockets were fired into the so-called Green Zone in central Baghdad. Since Monday, armed supporters of the influential Shiite leader Muqtada al-Sadr have been fighting there with Iraqi security forces and militias. The death toll has risen to at least 22. This was announced by two representatives of the health authorities. At least 350 people were also injured.

The Saraja Salam militia, loyal to al-Sadr, also fired at their opponents in the Green Zone with bazookas and grenade launchers, machine gun fire could be heard – apparently Iraqi security forces returned the fire. The militia also took control of bases of rival Iran-backed militias in the country’s southern provinces, according to two Iraqi security officials.

Neighboring countries close their borders

Neighboring Iran closed all border crossings to Iraq due to the unrest, as reported by local state television. Iranians have been urged to avoid traveling to Iraq just ahead of a pilgrimage that brings millions of Iranians to Iraq each year. Emirates airline canceled all flights to Baghdad.

According to media reports, Al-Sadr himself has announced a hunger strike until the violence stops. In addition, the use of weapons must be ended, the state news agency INA and state television reported late Monday evening. There was no confirmation from Al-Sadr’s office.

Kuwait also called on its citizens to leave the neighboring country with which it shares a 254-kilometer border. The state news agency Kuna called for travel plans to Iraq to be dropped because of the violence there. The Netherlands has evacuated its embassy in the Green Zone, Foreign Minister Wopke Hoekstra tweeted. The employees now worked from the German embassy at a different location in the city.

A resignation with consequences

Supporters of al-Sadr stormed the government palace on Monday after he announced his departure from politics. The protesters tore down the cement barriers in front of the government palace with ropes, broke through the building’s doors and poured inside. Security forces tried to disperse the crowd with water cannons.

The military declared a nationwide curfew and Acting Prime Minister Mustafa al-Kasimi canceled cabinet meetings. Health officials said dozens of protesters were injured by gunfire and tear gas in clashes with riot police.

crisis escalated

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.

Although al-Sadr’s movement emerged as the clear winner in the election, it failed to secure the important two-thirds majority required for the presidential election. This created a political stalemate.

UN urges restraint

The UN mission in Iraq (Unami) spoke of an “extremely dangerous escalation” and called on the demonstrators to leave the government district immediately. “The survival of the state is at stake,” the UN mission said.

UN Secretary-General António Guterres called for “restraint” and “all relevant actors” to take “immediate steps to de-escalate the situation”.