BAGHDAD: Thousands of supporters of populist cleric Moqtada al Sadr stormed Baghdad’s fortified government zone and broke into parliament on Saturday for the second time in a week, leaving at least 125 people injured and escalating a political stand-off.
Protesters rallied by Sadr and his Sadrist Movement tore down concrete barriers and entered the Green Zone, which houses government departments and foreign missions, before breaking into parliament. The scenes followed similar protests on Wednesday, although this time at least 125 people – including demonstrators and police – were wounded, according to a health ministry statement.
Sadr’s supporters threw stones and police fired teargas and stun grenades.
Sadr’s party came first in an October election but he withdrew his 74 lawmakers from parliament after failing to form a government which excluded his rivals, most of whom who are backed by Iran and have heavily-armed paramilitary wings.
His withdrawal ceded dozens of seats to the Coalition Framework. Sadr has since made good on threats to stir up unrest if parliament tries to approve a government he does not like, saying it must be free of foreign influence.— AFP
