Protesters again occupied the Iraqi parliament building. This is the second time that protesters stormed the parliament building in Baghdad. 125 people were injured in the clash between the protesters and the security forces.
Supporters of Shia leader Muqtada al-Sadr stormed the parliament again. The security forces used teargas shells and other things to fight the protesters. More than 100 protesters and 25 security forces were injured in the violence. The pro-Iranian Shia coalition had proposed Mohammad Shia Al-Sudani as the prime ministerial candidate in the formation of the new government. The position of the Shia alliance that there is no problem of changing Sudan no matter what the objections are, has prompted the Sadr faction to protest again. Sadr’s supporters said that opposition to the anti-people policies of the interim government was also the cause of the agitation.
Former Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki said that protest programs that are not in the public interest of Iraq cannot be accepted. The UN Secretary General suggested that a solution to the political crisis should be sought through a consensus move.
Last night, the storming of the Iraqi parliament building led to a major conflict. The protesters returned from Baghdad late at night following the call of Muqtada al-Sadr.
The rest of the world, including the United States, is watching with great concern that the protests have spread to the Green Zone area of Baghdad, where government offices and diplomatic centers are located. After nine months, the formation of a new government in Iraq has not gone anywhere due to political divisions. In addition to political instability, unemployment and rising prices have exacerbated the political crisis in Iraq. Muqtada al-Sadr, who failed to form his own government following the election, withdrew all 74 of his members of parliament last month.