Iraqi Cleric Calls on Supporters to End Protests After Deadly Violence
Clashes that began Monday left more than 20 people dead
Iraqi cleric Moqtada al-Sadr called on his supporters to end their protests and leave Baghdad’s Green Zone on Tuesday after nearly two days of clashes with rival Shi’ite groups and Iraqi security forces left at least 22 people dead. Al-Sadr apologized to the Iraqi people during a televised speech, which came a day after he announced he would resign from politics because of the country’s political deadlock. Shortly after al-Sadr’s remarks, Iraq’s military announced it was lifting a curfew order it put in place Monday in response to the unrest. Clashes had continued overnight and the military said earlier Tuesday that rockets were launched at the Green Zone, the heavily fortified area of the Iraqi capital. Al-Sadr won the most seats in the October election, but not a majority. He withdrew all his lawmakers from parliament in June after refusing to form a coalition government with Iran-backed Shi’ite rivals. Al-Sadr has insisted that the entire parliament be dissolved and early elections be held. The stalemate has led to political uncertainty and volatility in the country. Al-Sadr’s followers have been staging a weekslong sit-in at parliament to press the cleric’s demands. Al-Sadr has withdrawn from politics in the past only to later return to government. His critics have dismissed his latest move as an attempt to gain more power. The Shi’ite cleric has a large following, having gained support by opposing both the United States and Iran. The United Nations Assistance Mission in Iraq called Monday’s developments “an extremely dangerous escalation” of events in the country.