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Iraqi Shia leader al-Sadr on hunger strike to end violence

Shia leader Moqtada al-Sadr goes on a hunger strike.

The announcement of his retirement from politics sparked violent protests from his supporters, in which at least 12 people died.

After violent riots in Iraq, the influential Shiite leader Moqtada al-Sadr has announced a hunger strike until the violence stops. In addition, the use of weapons must be ended, the state news agency INA and state television reported late in the evening. There was no confirmation from al-Sadr’s office. He had announced his resignation from politics, triggering violent protests from his supporters.

According to the AFP news agency, at least 12 people were killed and 270 others injured in the protests in Iraq. Enraged Sadr supporters stormed a government building after the cleric surprisingly announced his “final” retirement from politics. Shots were fired in the heavily secured government and embassy district, an AFP reporter reported. At least seven shells were fired at the quarter in the evening. According to eyewitnesses, Sadr supporters and supporters of a rival Shiite group exchanged gunfire. The army used tear gas and imposed a nationwide curfew.

The UN mission in Iraq (Unami) spoke of an “extremely dangerous escalation” and called on the demonstrators to leave the government district immediately. “The survival of the state is at stake,” declared the UN mission. The US government spoke of “disturbing” reports from Baghdad and urged all sides to remain calm and engage in dialogue.

Sadr supporters storm government buildings

The protests spread to other parts of the country in the evening. According to AFP reporters and eyewitnesses, Sadr supporters stormed government buildings in the southern cities of Nasiriyah and Hilla, and there were roadblocks in Hilla.

Angry Sadr supporters stormed the government building in the Green Zone after the preacher and former militia leader announced his departure from politics. “I have decided not to interfere in political affairs, so I am now announcing my final retirement,” Sadr said on Twitter. With few exceptions, he will close all institutions associated with his and his family’s name.

After Sadr’s announcement of his withdrawal, his outraged supporters burst into the Palace of the Republic, where they waved Iraqi flags, snapped selfies, settled into armchairs in a boardroom, or cooled off with a dip in the pool in the building’s garden. The cabinet usually meets in the Palace of the Republic.

Sadr’s supporters are calling for new elections and a fight against corruption

Iraq’s Prime Minister Mustafa al-Kadhemi suspended cabinet meetings “until further notice” and called an urgent security meeting at the military command headquarters. Security and military forces and gunmen are prohibited from shooting at protesters, he said.

For nearly a month, Sadr’s supporters have occupied the area around Iraq’s parliament in Baghdad. Last week they briefly blocked access to the country’s highest court. On posters they called for the dissolution of parliament, new elections and the fight against corruption.

Since the US-led invasion of 2003, Iraq has been governed by a sectarian system of proportional representation, with the prime minister’s office reserved for Shiites. The Sadr movement was the strongest force in October’s parliamentary elections, but was unable to form a majority. Sadr’s MPs all resigned in June.

The dispute between the rival Shia groups intensified in late July after Sadr’s current rejected the candidate of a Tehran-backed alliance, the so-called Coordination Framework. In recent weeks, Sadr and his supporters have called for the dissolution of parliament and new elections.

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