According to medical authorities, at least ten people died, and over 200 were wounded in fierce clashes that flared up in Baghdad’s heavily guarded Green Zone on Monday, following the announcement by influential Iraqi Shia cleric Muqtada al-Sadr that he was retiring from political life.
Several witnesses said security forces used tear gas and live bullets to force protesters out of Iraq’s Republican Palace. Following the al-announcement, Sadr’s hundreds of protesters stormed the building inside the Green Zone, Iraqi security officials said on Monday.
According to Iraqi security forces, four rockets landed in Baghdad’s heavily fortified Green Zone on Tuesday, damaging a residential complex. According to the Iraqi Security Media Cell, the rockets were launched from the al-Habibiya and al-Baladiyat areas east of the capital.
The Iraqi cabinet meets at the Republican Palace, and Prime Minister Mustafa al-Kadhimi has suspended all government meetings until further notice, according to a statement released by his office. The Prime Minister has urged al-Sadr to “assist in calling on demonstrators to leave government institutions.”
President Barham Salih urged calm as well, saying in a statement on Monday that
 “the difficult circumstance that our country is going through requires everyone to abide by calm, restraint, prevent escalation, and ensure that the situation does not slip into unknown and dangerous labyrinths in which everyone will lose.”
A statement his office released on Monday states that Al-Sadr said he made a decision two months ago “not to interfere in political affairs.” Still, he is now announcing his “final retirement” from politics and closing all of his political offices across the country.
The announcement came after weeks of tensions and protests sparked by al-decision Sadr in June to withdraw his entire political bloc from the Iraqi parliament in an apparent show of force following months of political stalemate.
He stated at the time that his request was “a sacrifice from me for the country and the people to free them from the unknown destiny.”
Iraq had struggled to form a new government since parliamentary elections in October when Sadrists defeated Iran-backed Shiite blocs.
Al-Sadr, who has previously positioned himself against Iran and the US, is well-liked in Iraq. However, his attempts to form a government have failed in the months since the election due to opposition from rival blocs.
Finally, in July, the Coordination Framework, Iraq’s most prominent Shiite alliance in parliament, nominated Mohammed Shiya al-Sudani to lead the country, sparking a wave of protests from al-Sadr supporters.
Iraqi security forces ordered thousands of protesters to leave the Green Zone on Monday. The Iraqi military stated that they were exercising “the highest levels of self-restraint and brotherly behaviour to prevent clashes or the spilling of Iraqi blood.”
“The security forces affirm their responsibility to protect government institutions, international missions, and public and private properties,” the statement said, adding: “Dealing with peaceful demonstrations is done through the constitution and laws, and the security forces will do their duty to protect security and stability.”
The military imposed a complete curfew, including restrictions on vehicles and pedestrians, beginning at 3:30 p.m. local time within the capital city and 7 p.m. local time elsewhere in the country. According to a military statement, the curfew will remain in effect until further notice.
UNAMI has also urged protesters to leave government buildings and “allow the government to continue its responsibilities of running the state” for the Iraqi people.
“State institutions must operate unimpeded in service of the Iraqi people, under all circumstances and at all times. Respect for constitutional order will now prove vital,” UNAMI said in a statement released Monday.
The US embassy in Baghdad also urged calm, tweeting that “now is the time for dialogue to resolve differences, not through confrontation.”
“The right to a peaceful public protest is a fundamental element of all democracies, but demonstrators must also respect the institutions and property of the Iraqi government, which belong to and serve the Iraqi people and should be allowed to function,” the embassy added.
