BAGHDAD – Iraqi demonstrators stormed the fortified Green Zone that houses the Parliament in Baghdad today in protest against the nomination of a new prime minister by Shia parties close to Iran.
Protesters forced their way into the Green Zone after removing a number of concrete barriers, Anadolu Agency quoted the state news agency INA’s report.
Iraqi Prime Minister Mustafa al-Kadhimi called on protesters to “immediately withdraw from Green Zone.”
For his part, the leader of the Sadrist movement, Saleh Muhammad al-Iraqi, said: “I stand in reverence and respect. It is a wonderful spontaneous and reformist popular message, thank you.”
“Your safety is more important than anything else. If you want to withdraw, I will respect this decision,” he addressed the protesters.
On Monday, the Coordination Framework, a coalition of Shia parties close to Iran, nominated Mohammed al-Sudani as the prime minister.
Al-Sudani’s nomination is opposed by firebrand Shia cleric Muqtada al-Sadr, whose party won last year’s general elections.
The Iraqi Parliament is scheduled to hold a session within days to elect a new president from among 25 candidates. This move is necessary to officially assign a new prime minister.
Al-Sudani’s nomination is expected to be approved by the Parliament after the withdrawal of al-Sadr’s parliamentary bloc from the assembly in June. – Bernama, July 28, 2022
