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The authorities in Iraq announced, on Tuesday, the lifting of the curfew imposed following the violence that erupted with the announcement of Shiite leader Muqtada al-Sadr to retire from political life.
Earlier on Tuesday, al-Sadr called on his supporters to withdraw from the Green Zone in the center of the capital, Baghdad.
At least 30 people were reported killed in the violence.
In a televised speech, al-Sadr called on his supporters to withdraw from the Green Zone, criticizing the violence.
Al-Sadr warned, “The revolution in which violence prevails is not a revolution.”
Al-Sadr apologized to the Iraqi people, and expressed his grief over what happened. He stressed that his retirement from political work is “final.”
After al-Sadr’s speech, eyewitnesses stated that protesters from his supporters began to withdraw from the Green Zone in response to his call.
Later, the “Coordination Framework” coalition opposed to Sadr announced the end of the sit-in of his supporters near the suspension bridge in central Baghdad.
Life has returned to normal in various governorates, according to the Joint Operations Command.
And the Iraqi News Agency quoted a spokesman for the leadership as saying: “After the decision to lift the curfew in all provinces, life has returned to normal on the streets.”
Prime Minister Mustafa al-Kadhimi praised Muqtada al-Sadr’s call to stop the violence, describing it as “the highest levels of patriotism and keenness to preserve Iraqi blood.”
Violent acts
The violent confrontations had renewed in Iraq on Tuesday morning.
And the Security Media Cell of the Iraqi Joint Operations Command announced that the Green Zone was bombed early Tuesday morning by four missiles that landed in a residential complex.
picture released, Archyde.com
The statement did not mention any casualties as a result of the bombing, but it spoke of material damage.
And circulating video clips showed clashes in the Green Zone, which includes government headquarters, late Monday night and early Tuesday morning between Saraya al-Salam, the military wing of the Sadrist movement, and armed factions affiliated with parties in the coordinating framework.
Sources from inside the Green Zone confirmed that various medium and heavy weapons were used in the confrontations.
The vicinity of the US embassy in the Green Zone was also bombarded with missiles, and the warning sirens sounded, which were triggered by the embassy. A security source stated that the C-RAM defense system had also been activated.
‘Extremely dangerous situation’
The clashes took place on Monday despite the imposition of a comprehensive curfew across Iraq.
The Shiite leader’s supporters had stormed the Republican Palace, following he announced his retirement from political life.
picture released, EPA
The coordination framework condemned the “attack on state institutions” and urged Sadr’s loyalists to “engage in dialogue.”
Mustafa Al-Kazemi said earlier that “the security forces, the army or the armed forces” were prevented from shooting at the demonstrators.
The United Nations Assistance Mission in Iraq described the situation as a “very dangerous escalation” and called on all parties to “refrain from actions that might lead to a chain of unstoppable events”… and warned that “the very survival of the state is at stake.”
The US also called for calm amid “disturbing” reports from Baghdad.
On Monday, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres called for “restraint” in Iraq and asked “all parties to take swift steps to de-escalate the situation.” According to his spokesman, Stephane Dujarric.
The Sadrist movement won a majority of parliament seats last year. But the political forces have not agreed to form a government since its time, which led to an escalation of political tension.
Iraq has been in a political impasse since October last year, due to the failure of Shiite forces to form a coalition.
Sadr’s followers called for the dissolution of parliament and for new elections.
His supporters also staged a sit-in for weeks in front of the Iraqi parliament, following storming it on July 30 to pressure towards achieving their demands.
The coordination framework wants to appoint a prime minister before any new elections are held.
Al-Kazemi held talks earlier this month to discuss a solution to the crisis with party leaders, but the Sadrist movement boycotted him.
