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In the middle of a deep political crisis that shakes Iraq since the elections last October, supporters of the Shiite leader Muqtada Al-Sadr They advanced this Saturday in Parliament, breaking down the security barriers at the entrance with a huge excavator. And they filmed it.
One of the demonstrators recorded the exact moment when other faithful were traveling aboard the machine usually used for excavation and movement of earth or other materials.
In the background appears a large group of supporters, amidst shouts and flags of the Arab country. And you see them celebrating when the protective fences.
The bulldozer used by the faithful to break through the protective barriers.
Supporters of the cleric gathered in the center of the capital Baghdad to denounce his candidacy for Prime Minister of the Mohammed Chia al-Sudaniconsidered loyal to Iran and the former head of government, Nuri al-Maliki.
In anticipation of the protest, the security forces closed several main roads in the capital leading to the so-called green areathe most protected area of the capital that hosts government institutions and embassies.
However, they were forced to shoot tear gas and water from fire hydrant trucks, unable to prevent protesters from accessing the facilities.
At least 100 protesters and 25 members of the security forces were injured.the Ministry of Health reported.
The protest inside the Parliament
Supporters of Shiite leader Muqtada Al Sadd protest inside the Baghdad parliament. Photo: Reuters
Al Sadr supporters occupied Parliament for the second time this week. They entered the main room, raised the Iraqi flag and displayed the portraits of Al Sadr.
According to a statement by the Sadrist current, the attackers were carrying out a “sit-in” that will last “until further notice”.
Lying on the carpet in the corridors and leaning against the columns, some protesters killed time with cell phones, while others fanned themselves with pieces of cardboard.
Parliament Speaker Mohamed al-Halbusi called on local security services to refrain from using violence against al-Sadr supporters and not to carry weapons, according to Iraqi news agency INA.
For its part, the UN mission in Iraq has called for “reason and wisdom” to “prevent more violence” for the benefit of all Iraqis, according to the Europa Press news agency.
Supporters of Shiite leader Muqtada Al Sadd protest inside the Baghdad parliament. Photo: Reuters
The protests are a lobbying tactic used by the cleric against government formation efforts led by his political rivals the Coordination Framework, a Tehran-backed alliance of Shiite parties.
On Wednesday, hundreds of his supporters stormed the Parliament building after the appointment of the Marco alliance Mohammed al-Sudani as his candidate for prime minister and signal his willingness to form a government despite his threats.
This is the candidate of the Coordination Framework, an alliance of pro-Iranian Shiite factions that includes the party of former Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki and representatives of the Hashd al-Shaabi, former paramilitaries integrated into the regular forces.
“The continuation of the political escalation increases the tensions in the streets”, complained in a statement the current Prime Minister Mustafa al-Kazimi.
Iraq is a multi-religious country in which the same figures have dominated public life since 2003, the year of the fall of President Saddam Hussein.
Supporters of Shiite leader Muqtada Al Sadd protest inside the Baghdad parliament. Photo: Reuters
The political stalemate is total ten months after the legislative elections of October 2021. Since then, negotiations to form a government and appoint a prime minister have not progressed.
Tensions escalated in June when the Sadrist Bloc, which won last October’s elections with 73 seats, withdrew from parliament due to the coordination framework being blocked to elect a president and form a government.
This tactical withdrawal allowed the coordination framework to gain a parliamentary majority, although it was only this week that it announced its candidate for the post of prime minister, Mohamed Shia to the Sudani.
However, Al Sadr’s resignation does not mean that he has stopped influencing power, and has since launched several mass marches to exert pressure and show his strength on the streets.
With information from Agencies
Source: Clarin
