Buildings stormed after Moqtada al-Sadr, Iraqi political leader, retires

Last edited Mon Aug 29, 2022, 05:24 PM - Edit history (1)

Also: Clashes erupt after Iraqi Shiite cleric resigns, 5 dead (Associated Press)

______________________________________________________________________

EDIT: article updated at link

Source: BBC

Original BBC headline: Moqtada al-Sadr, dominant Iraqi political leader, retires from politics

Buildings stormed after Moqtada al-Sadr, Iraqi political leader, retires

By Raffi Berg
BBC News

29 August 2022

One of Iraq's most powerful figures, who has been at the centre of a long crisis over forming a government, says he is retiring from political life.

Moqtada al-Sadr, a firebrand Shia cleric with millions of followers, announced his decision on Twitter.

Several people were reported killed in clashes after his supporters stormed the presidential palace.

Hundreds have been camped outside parliament for weeks after previously storming it in protest at the deadlock.

Mr Sadr's announcement comes two days after he called for all parties and figures involved in political life following the 2003 US-led invasion of Iraq to quit.

-snip-

Read more: https://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-62713026


Moqtada al-Sadr's supporters recently twice stormed parliament (Reuters)

______________________________________________________________________

Source: Associated Press

Clashes erupt after Iraqi Shiite cleric resigns, 5 dead

By QASSIM ABDUL-ZAHRA and SAMYA KULLAB
August 29, 2022

BAGHDAD (AP) — An influential Shiite cleric announced Monday he would resign from Iraqi politics, prompting hundreds of his angry followers to storm the government palace and sparking clashes with security forces in which at least five protesters were killed.

Protesters loyal to cleric Muqtada al-Sadr pulled down the cement barriers outside the government palace with ropes and breached the palace gates. Many rushed into the lavish salons and marbled halls of the palace, a key meeting place for Iraqi heads of state and foreign dignitaries.

Iraq’s military announced a nation-wide curfew and the caretaker premier suspended Cabinet sessions in response to the violence. Medical officials said at least 15 protesters were wounded by gunfire and a dozen more were injured by tear gas and physical altercations with riot police.

Iraq’s government has been deadlocked since al-Sadr’s party won the largest share of seats in October parliamentary elections but not enough to secure a majority government. His refusal to negotiate with his Iran-backed Shiite rivals and subsequent exit from the talks has catapulted the country into political uncertainty and volatility amid intensifying intra-Shiite wrangling.

-snip-

Read more: https://apnews.com/article/middle-east-religion-iraq-muqtada-al-sadr-7ca58a185c06d81131f74c5b7790cd1a