Sri Lanka-like situation prevailed in Iraq, Parliament was occupied by protesters [TKB World]

There is now a protest like Sri Lanka in Iraq. Hundreds of angry demonstrators stormed the parliament building in Baghdad on Wednesday. According to the report, most of the protesters are supporters of Iraqi Shia leader Muktada al-Sadr. Protesters are protesting the candidacy of former minister and former provincial governor Mohammed Shia al-Sudani for prime minister by an Iran-backed party.

Protesters entered Baghdad’s high-security green zone on Wednesday, home to government buildings and diplomatic missions. After that they went into Parliament. However, no MP was present in the Parliament at that time. According to the report only security personnel were present inside the Parliament building at that time and they allowed the protesters to enter easily.

Police used water cannon to stop

Protesters also carried pictures of Shia leader al-Sadr on Wednesday. The police first used water cannons to disperse the protesters who demolished the cement walls. According to report, police were deployed to stop the crowd at the main gate, but protesters gathered at two entrances to the Green Zone, after which they broke down the cement wall put up by the police and chanted “Al-Sudani, out.” !” . Those protesters came from many cities of Iraq.

PM warns to vacate green zone

At the same time, acting Prime Minister Mustafa al-Kadhimi has asked the protesters to vacate the Green Zone. He warned that the security forces would take all possible steps to protect state institutions and foreign missions.

That’s why a new face is being sought for PM.

Maulvi al-Sadr’s faction won 73 seats in Iraq’s October 2021 general election, making it the largest faction in the 329-seat parliament, but Muqtada al-Sadr failed to gather the necessary majority to become Iraq’s president. Sadar had pulled himself out of talks to form the government.