In the Iraqi capital Baghdad, protesters reentered the parliament building. The information was released today by the state news agency INA. As eyewitnesses reported, security forces attempted to repel the numerous supporters of influential Shia cleric Moqtada al-Sadr in the heavily tear-gassed Green Zone. According to the Ministry of Health, at least 125 people were injured.
Portal/Thai Al_Sudani
Numerous government institutions and the Iraqi parliament, as well as several embassies, including the US diplomatic mission, are located in the approximately ten square kilometer Green Zone in central Baghdad.
Sadr’s supporters had already penetrated the safe zone on Wednesday and stormed parliament. Television footage showed people on the floor waving the Iraqi flag before retreating a short time later.
Among other things, they spoke out against the appointment of former minister Mohammed Shija al-Sudani to the post of prime minister. This was proposed by former prime minister Nuri al-Maliki and his alliance, which sympathizes with neighboring Iran. The two Shia camps see each other as opponents.