In the middle of a deep political crisis that shakes iraq since last October’s elections, supporters of the Shiite leader Muqtada Al Sadr They advanced this Saturday on Parliament, knocking down the security barriers at the entrance with a huge excavator. And they filmed it.
One of the protesters recorded the exact moment in which other faithful were traveling on board the machine usually used for excavation and movement of earth or other materials.
In the background, a large group of supporters appears, between shouts and flags of the Arab country. And you see them celebrate when the protection 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 the candidacy for Prime Minister of Mohamed Chia al Sudaniconsidered loyal to Iran and the former head of government, Nuri al-Maliki.
In anticipation of the protest, security forces closed several major streets in the capital that lead to the so-called green areathe most protected area of the capital that houses government institutions and embassies.
However, they were forced to fire tear gas and water from hydrant trucks, without being able to prevent the protesters from accessing the facilities.
At least 100 protesters and 25 members of the security forces were injured.reported the Ministry of Health.
The protest inside Parliament
Supporters of Shiite leader Muqtada Al Sadd protest inside the parliament in Baghdad. Photo: Reuters
Al Sadr’s supporters occupied Parliament for the second time this week. They entered the main room, raised the Iraqi flag and displayed portraits of Al Sadr.
According to a statement from the Sadrist current, the assailants were carrying out a “sit-in” that will last “until further notice.”
Lying on the carpet in the corridors and leaning on the columns, some protesters killed time with their 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 the Iraqi news agency INA.
For its part, the United Nations mission in Iraq 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 parliament in Baghdad. Photo: Reuters
The protests are a pressure tactic used by the cleric against government formation efforts led by his political rivals from the Coordination Framework, an alliance of Shiite parties backed by Tehran.
On Wednesday, hundreds of his supporters stormed the Parliament building after the Marco alliance appointed Mohammed al-Sudani as his candidate for the post of 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.
“Continuing with the political escalation increases tensions in the street,” current Prime Minister Mustafa al-Kazimi lamented in a statement.
Iraq is a multi-faith country in which the same figures have dominated public life since 2003, when President Saddam Hussein fell.
Supporters of Shiite leader Muqtada Al Sadd protest inside the parliament in Baghdad. Photo: Reuters
The political stalemate is total ten months after the legislative elections in October 2021. Since then, the negotiations to form a government and appoint a prime minister have not progressed.
The tension increased in June, when the Sadrista Bloc, which won the elections last October with 73 seats, withdrew from Parliament due to the blocking of the Coordination Framework to elect a president and form a government.
This tactical withdrawal allowed the Coordination Framework to gain a parliamentary majority, although it was not until this week that it announced its candidate for prime minister, Mohamed Shia al Sudani.
However, Al Sadr’s resignation did not mean he stopped influencing power, and since then he has called several mass marches to exert pressure and display his strength in the streets.
With information from Agencies