Protesters again stormed parliament in Baghdad. According to the Ministry of Health, at least 60 people were injured.
In the Iraqi capital Baghdad, protesters reentered the parliament building. This was reported by the state news agency INA on Saturday. 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 60 people were injured.
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 Shiya al-Sudani to the post of prime minister. This was proposed by former prime minister Nouri al-Maliki and his alliance, which sympathizes with neighboring Iran. The two Shia camps see each other as opponents.
A country in crisis
A power struggle has been going on in Iraq since the October 2021 parliamentary elections. Sadr’s list had won the most seats at the time and was trying to form a government. More recently, however, he and his party have resigned from parliament. According to experts, Sadr’s strength lies in his ability to mobilize crowds. Some observers, therefore, interpreted his withdrawal from politics as a move to put parties and politicians under pressure. Many Iraqis now have little faith in politics after the oil-rich country has struggled with economic and political crises for years.
(APA/dpa)