Clashes Erupt After Iraqi Shiite Cleric Resigns, 15 Dead
2 years, 4 months ago

Clashes Erupt After Iraqi Shiite Cleric Resigns, 15 Dead

Huff Post  

Iraqi security forces fire tear gas on the followers of Shiite cleric Muqtada al-Sadr inside the government Palace, Baghdad, Iraq, Monday, Aug. 29, 2022. Al-Sadr, a hugely influential Shiite cleric announced he will resign from Iraqi politics and his angry followers stormed the government palace in response. via Associated Press BAGHDAD — An influential Shiite cleric announced Monday that he would resign from Iraqi politics, prompting hundreds of his angry followers to storm the government palace and sparking clashes with security forces and between rival militias. During Monday's clashes, Saraya Salam, a militia aligned with al-Sadr gathered in the capital’s Tahrir Square to “protect” protesters, one of its commanders said.

Political Iran Shiite Palace His Followers Free Huffpost Iraqi Protesters Followers Shiites Baghdad Announced Your Help Cleric Shiite Cleric  alsadr  announced  erupt  alsadrs  cleric  dead  clashes  15  palace  free  political  followers  protesters  shiite  resigns  iraqi

History of this topic

Iraqis heed cleric’s plea to leave streets after clashes
2 years, 4 months ago

Iraqis heed cleric’s plea to leave streets after clashes

Associated Press  

BAGHDAD — Armed supporters of a powerful Iraqi cleric who clashed with security forces in the capital began to withdraw from the streets Tuesday, restoring a measure of calm after a serious escalation of the nation’s political crisis. Following two days of deadly unrest that sparked fears instability might spread throughout the country and even the region, cleric Muqtada al-Sadr, …

Sadr supporters still demand change in Iraq after deadly violence
2 years, 4 months ago

Sadr supporters still demand change in Iraq after deadly violence

Al Jazeera  

Supporters of Muqtada al-Sadr spoke to Al Jazeera, and emphasised their continued support for the religious leader. A day after the Iraqi Shia religious leader Muqtada al-Sadr told his supporters to leave their protest sites in Baghdad’s Green Zone, calm has returned to the Iraqi capital. We are demanding the wholesale radical change of the corrupt politicians, and replace it …

EXPLAINER: What spurred the bloody armed clashes in Baghdad?
2 years, 4 months ago

EXPLAINER: What spurred the bloody armed clashes in Baghdad?

Associated Press  

BAGHDAD — Iraq’s long-running power struggle between rival Shiite camps devolved into bloody street violence this week – the culmination of months of simmering tensions and a political vacuum. For 24 hours, loyalists of powerful cleric Muqtada al-Sadr transformed the country’s government Green Zone into a front line, trading fire with security forces and rival militias, and bringing the capital …

Iraq: At least 23 supporters of powerful cleric Moqtada Sadr killed in Baghdad clashes
2 years, 4 months ago

Iraq: At least 23 supporters of powerful cleric Moqtada Sadr killed in Baghdad clashes

Firstpost  

Overnight, shelling targeted the Green Zone that houses government buildings and diplomatic missions, a security source said, amid angry protests after Sadr announced that he’s quitting politics Baghdad: Fighting between rival Iraqi forces raged for a second day Tuesday with rocket fire echoing from Baghdad’s Green Zone where 23 supporters of powerful Shiite leader Moqtada Sadr have been shot dead, …

Clashes erupt after Iraqi Shiite cleric resigns, 15 dead
2 years, 4 months ago

Clashes erupt after Iraqi Shiite cleric resigns, 15 dead

Associated Press  

BAGHDAD — An influential Shiite cleric announced Monday that he would resign from Iraqi politics, prompting hundreds of his angry followers to storm the government palace and sparking clashes with security forces. During Monday’s clashes, Saraya Salam, a militia aligned with al-Sadr gathered in the capital’s Tahrir Square to “protect” protesters, one of its commanders said. Iraq’s military swiftly called …

Analysis: Is Muqtada al-Sadr’s retirement announcement a tactic?
2 years, 4 months ago

Analysis: Is Muqtada al-Sadr’s retirement announcement a tactic?

Al Jazeera  

When the Shia spiritual leader Ayatollah Kadhim al-Haeri announced last week that he would step down as a religious authority, Muqtada al-Sadr realised that he was facing a challenge to his own standing within the Shia community in Iraq. Following the announcement, al-Sadr’s supporters, who largely come from the outskirts of the Iraqi capital, roamed Baghdad and entered the presidential …

Photos: Fighting between rival Iraqi forces erupts in Baghdad
2 years, 4 months ago

Photos: Fighting between rival Iraqi forces erupts in Baghdad

Al Jazeera  

Fighting between rival Iraqi forces is raging for a second day, with rocket fire echoing from Baghdad’s Green Zone – where 30 people have been killed, according to medical sources. The violence began after powerful Shia religious leader Muqtada al-Sadr announced on Monday that he would resign from Iraqi politics, prompting hundreds of his angry followers to storm the government …

Explained | Iraq's violent clashes and the political unstability
2 years, 4 months ago

Explained | Iraq's violent clashes and the political unstability

India TV News  

Iraq clashes explained: At least 30 people were killed and 400 were injured in Iraq's capital Baghdad in clashes between Shia militias and Iraqi security forces after Muqtada al-Sadr said he was withdrawing from politics. Image Source : APFollowers of Shiite cleric Muqtada al-Sadr gather during an open-air Friday prayers at Grand Festivities Square within the Green Zone, in Baghdad …

Timeline: What led to the fighting in Iraq’s capital Baghdad
2 years, 4 months ago

Timeline: What led to the fighting in Iraq’s capital Baghdad

Al Jazeera  

Latest violence started and ended after comments from Shia religious leader Muqtada al-Sadr, an influential voice in Iraq for 20 years. February 2020 to July 2021 Significant protests continued across Iraq, with al-Sadr’s supporters at times clashing with other protesters, notably in the holy city of Najaf in February 2020. June 16, 2022 Al-Sadr announced that he would “not participate …

Iraqi cleric’s loyalists heed his call to abandon protests after clashes kill 30
2 years, 4 months ago

Iraqi cleric’s loyalists heed his call to abandon protests after clashes kill 30

LA Times  

Iraqi security forces fire tear gas at the followers of Shiite cleric Muqtada Sadr inside the government palace in Baghdad. Following two days of deadly unrest that sparked fears of instability spreading throughout Iraq and even the region, cleric Muqtada Sadr told his supporters to leave the government quarter where they had rallied. A day later, on Tuesday, Sadr’s supporters …

Clashes erupt after Iraqi Shia cleric Sadr announces resignation, at least 3 dead
2 years, 4 months ago

Clashes erupt after Iraqi Shia cleric Sadr announces resignation, at least 3 dead

The Hindu  

An influential Shia cleric announced on August 29 he would resign from Iraqi politics, prompting hundreds of his angry followers to storm the government palace and sparking violent clashes with security forces in which at least three protesters were killed. It called on the cleric’s supporters to withdraw immediately from the heavily fortified government zone and to practice self-restraint “to …

Iraqi judiciary suspends activities as cleric Sadr fuels political crisis
2 years, 4 months ago

Iraqi judiciary suspends activities as cleric Sadr fuels political crisis

The Hindu  

Iraq's judiciary suspended work on August 23 after supporters of powerful Shia cleric Moqtada al-Sadr camped out near its headquarters to demand that it dissolve parliament, escalating one of the worst political crises since the U.S.-led invasion. Mr. Sadr's Shia Muslim followers began gathering for protests outside the headquarters of the Supreme Judicial Council and Federal Supreme Court in Baghdad. …

Iraqi judiciary resumes work as political crisis ensues
2 years, 4 months ago

Iraqi judiciary resumes work as political crisis ensues

Al Jazeera  

Supporters of religious leader Muqtada al-Sadr launched a new sit-in in front of the Supreme Judicial Council, calling for the body to dissolve parliament. Supporters of al-Sadr have rallied in front of the country’s Supreme Judicial Council, expanding a sit-in that initially began in front of the parliament building, and escalating their calls for parliament to be dissolved. “These supporters …

Rival Iraq protests underscore inter-Shiite power struggle
2 years, 4 months ago

Rival Iraq protests underscore inter-Shiite power struggle

Associated Press  

BAGHDAD — Supporters of Iran-backed Shiite groups rallied in Baghdad on Friday to denounce their rivals, followers of an influential Shiite cleric who stormed the parliament last month and have since been holding a sit-in outside the assembly building in the Iraqi capital. Unlike Iran-backed groups, cleric Muqtada al-Sadr wants better ties with Arab countries, including Sunni powerhouse Saudi Arabia, …

Rival Shia groups square off over Iraq leadership vacuum
2 years, 4 months ago

Rival Shia groups square off over Iraq leadership vacuum

Al Jazeera  

Thousands of Moqtada al-Sadr’s followers prayed outside parliament in a show of support for the populist leader who has called on the judiciary to dissolve parliament by the end of next week. Rival Iraqi factions took to the streets of Baghdad to call for a new government with supporters of religious scholar Moqtada al-Sadr demanding early elections and his Iran-backed …

Iraqi cleric calls for dissolution of parliament, early vote
2 years, 5 months ago

Iraqi cleric calls for dissolution of parliament, early vote

Associated Press  

BAGHDAD — Influential Shiite cleric Muqtada al-Sadr told followers Wednesday to continue their sit-in inside Iraq’s government zone, and called for the dissolution of parliament and early elections, signaling a deepening power struggle with his rivals. Speaking for the first time since thousands of his followers stormed the parliament building in Baghdad on Saturday, al-Sadr said the “revolutionaries” must stay …

Iraq’s al-Sadr demands dissolution of parliament, early elections
2 years, 5 months ago

Iraq’s al-Sadr demands dissolution of parliament, early elections

Al Jazeera  

Iraq’s Muqtada al-Sadr orders supporters to continue sit-in inside the national parliament and calls for new elections to be held. Iraqi populist Muslim scholar Muqtada al-Sadr has urged his supporters to continue their sit-in inside the national parliament in Baghdad until his demands, which include the dissolution of parliament and early elections, are met. Thousands of al-Sadr’s followers stormed Baghdad’s …

Who is Muqtada al-Sadr, powerful Shia cleric whose supporters have thrown Iraq into turmoil?
2 years, 5 months ago

Who is Muqtada al-Sadr, powerful Shia cleric whose supporters have thrown Iraq into turmoil?

Firstpost  

Muqtada al-Sadr is a mercurial figure who has emerged as a powerful force in Iraq’s cutthroat political scene with a nationalist, anti-Iran agenda. He is the son of Grand Ayatollah Sayyid Muhammad Muhammad-Sadiq al-Sadr, who Saddam Hussein had assassinated in 1999 Iraq is in turmoil with hundreds of followers of influential Shia cleric Muqtada al-Sadr on Sunday camping inside the …

Hundreds of protesters camp at Iraq parliament for a second day
2 years, 5 months ago

Hundreds of protesters camp at Iraq parliament for a second day

Al Jazeera  

Supporters of Shia leader Muqtada al-Sadr erect tents and prepare for a long sit-in to protest against efforts by his rivals to form a government. Supporters of powerful Iraqi Shia leader Muqtada al-Sadr have erected tents and are preparing for a long sit-in at Iraq’s parliament, deepening a months-long political standoff. Supporters of al-Sadr, who once led a militia against …

Iraqi protesters storm parliament in Baghdad, set up sit-in
2 years, 5 months ago

Iraqi protesters storm parliament in Baghdad, set up sit-in

Associated Press  

BAGHDAD — Thousands of followers of an influential Shiite cleric stormed into Iraq’s parliament on Saturday, for the second time this week, protesting government formation efforts led by his rivals, an alliance of Iran-backed groups. Al-Sadr’s rivals in the Coordination Framework — an alliance of Shiite parties backed by Iran and lead by former Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki — showed …

Iraqi protesters breach parliament building in Baghdad
2 years, 5 months ago

Iraqi protesters breach parliament building in Baghdad

India Today  

Hundreds of followers of an influential Shiite cleric breached Iraq’s parliament on Saturday, the second time in a week, to protest the government formation efforts by Iran-backed groups. Thousands of demonstrators, the followers of influential cleric Muqtada al-Sadr, used ropes to pull down cement barricades leading to the gate of Iraq’s Green Zone, which houses official buildings and foreign embassies. …

Iraqi security forces clash with followers of cleric
2 years, 5 months ago

Iraqi security forces clash with followers of cleric

The Independent  

For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Iraqi security forces hurled gas …

Iraqi protesters break into parliament denouncing the nomination of new premier
2 years, 5 months ago

Iraqi protesters break into parliament denouncing the nomination of new premier

CNN  

Baghdad, Iraq CNN — Hundreds of angry protesters loyal to the powerful cleric Muqtada al-Sadr broke into Baghdad’s heavily protected Green Zone on Wednesday, denouncing the nomination of a new prime minister. Iraq has struggled to form a new government since parliamentary elections in October; Sadr’s own attempts to form a government have previously foundered amid opposition from rival blocs. …

Iraqi Shia leader al-Sadr withdraws from political process
2 years, 6 months ago

Iraqi Shia leader al-Sadr withdraws from political process

Al Jazeera  

Muqtada al-Sadr says he ‘will not participate in the next elections if the corrupt participate’. Iraqi Shia leader Muqtada al-Sadr said he has decided to withdraw from the political process to avoid involvement with “corrupt” politicians, the state news agency reported. It was a huge gamble by al-Sadr, one of the most influential politicians in Iraq with a large street …

Sadrists quit Iraq’s parliament, but al-Sadr isn’t going away
2 years, 6 months ago

Sadrists quit Iraq’s parliament, but al-Sadr isn’t going away

Al Jazeera  

The Sadrist bloc’s resignation from parliament throws up a number of scenarios, including new elections in Iraq. Baghdad, Iraq – After nearly eight months of the Iraqi parliament’s repeated failure to form a government, influential Shia religious leader – and the biggest winner of Iraq’s October parliamentary elections – Muqtada al-Sadr decided enough was enough. “Don’t expect a government formed …

Lawmakers from Iraq’s biggest bloc resign amid impasse
2 years, 6 months ago

Lawmakers from Iraq’s biggest bloc resign amid impasse

Associated Press  

BAGHDAD — Dozens of lawmakers who make up the biggest bloc in Iraq’s parliament resigned on Sunday amid a prolonged political impasse, plunging the divided nation into political uncertainty. The 73 lawmakers from powerful Shiite cleric Muqtada al-Sadr’s bloc submitted their resignation based on his request, to protest a persisting political deadlock eight months after general elections were held. The …

Iraqi MPs from Muqtada al-Sadr’s bloc resign
2 years, 6 months ago

Iraqi MPs from Muqtada al-Sadr’s bloc resign

Al Jazeera  

Al-Sadr had urged the lawmakers from his bloc to resign in order to create space for the establishment of a new government. Iraqi lawmakers from firebrand Shia leader Muqtada al-Sadr’s bloc resigned on Sunday, the parliamentary speaker said, a move ostensibly designed to end eight months of political paralysis. “We have reluctantly accepted the requests of our brothers and sisters, …

Iraqi Shiite cleric calls on pro-Iran militias to disband
3 years, 1 month ago

Iraqi Shiite cleric calls on pro-Iran militias to disband

Associated Press  

BAGHDAD — Iraq’s influential Shiite cleric who emerged as a winner in last month’s general elections on Thursday called on the country’s myriad pro-Iran Shiite armed factions to disband if they want to join his upcoming government. “Your losses can’t be a pretext for ruining the democratic process,” al-Sadr said at a rare press conference Thursday, addressing the factions. Political …

What’s next for Iraq’s powerful leader Muqtada al-Sadr?
3 years, 2 months ago

What’s next for Iraq’s powerful leader Muqtada al-Sadr?

Al Jazeera  

Violence erupted for a second day in the Iraqi capital, Baghdad, after Muqtada al-Sadr’s sudden resignation from politics catapulted the country into chaos. Although he has never directly been in government, al-Sadr remains one of Iraq’s most influential political figures and has a large grassroots following. However, just as he was able to upend the capital with his initial statement, …

Iraqi Shia leader al-Sadr says will not take part in October vote
3 years, 5 months ago

Iraqi Shia leader al-Sadr says will not take part in October vote

Al Jazeera  

Muqtada al-Sadr says he is withdrawing support from the current government and the one that will be elected to replace it. Shia leader Muqtada al-Sadr has announced he will not take part in Iraq’s upcoming election in October, saying he is withdrawing his support from the current government and the one that will be elected to replace it. Addressing the …

Clashes with cleric's supporters kill 5 in southern Iraq
4 years, 1 month ago

Clashes with cleric's supporters kill 5 in southern Iraq

The Independent  

For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Supporters of a firebrand Iraqi …

Muqtada al-Sadr’s double game
4 years, 11 months ago

Muqtada al-Sadr’s double game

Al Jazeera  

Shia cleric Muqtada al-Sadr has always been a controversial political operator in Iraq – the most popular among Shia leaders, the most temperamental, and the most unpredictable. Yet after the 2010 elections which brought a second term for the increasingly sectarian Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki, al-Sadr switched to a moderate political line and reached out to the Sunni community. Every …

Several killed after al-Sadr followers storm protest camp in Iraq
4 years, 11 months ago

Several killed after al-Sadr followers storm protest camp in Iraq

Al Jazeera  

Clashes erupted at an anti-government protest site in Najaf when supporters of Muqtada al-Sadr raided the sit-in. Baghdad, Iraq – At least five people have been killed and dozens of others wounded in clashes between anti-government protesters and supporters of Shia leader Muqtada al-Sadr in southern Iraq. The violence broke out on Wednesday at a protest camp in the holy …

Iraq president threatens to quit over PM nominee
5 years ago

Iraq president threatens to quit over PM nominee

Al Jazeera  

Barham Salih says he would rather resign than name Iran-backed bloc’s nominee as PM. Iraqi President Barham Salih has refused to designate the nominee of an Iran-backed parliamentary bloc for prime minister, saying he would rather resign than appoint someone to the position who would be rejected by protesters. The Iranian-backed Binaa bloc, the largest in Iraq’s Parliament, had nominated …

Iraq PM resignation would only be ‘first step’, protesters say
5 years, 1 month ago

Iraq PM resignation would only be ‘first step’, protesters say

Al Jazeera  

Baghdad, Iraq – Baghdad’s Tahrir Square broke out in celebration minutes after Iraqi Prime Minister Adel Abdul Mahdi announced he will submit his resignation to parliament after weeks of deadly anti-government protests. ‘Great first step’ “The premier’s offer to resign is a great first step and we’re extremely elated to receive this news,” Mustafa, 24, told Al Jazeera as he …

Iraqi PM to resign after deadly anti-government protests
5 years, 1 month ago

Iraqi PM to resign after deadly anti-government protests

Al Jazeera  

Adel Abdul Mahdi to submit resignation to Iraq’s parliament after top Shia leader calls for change. Iraqi Prime Minister Adel Abdul Mahdi has said he will submit his resignation to the country’s parliament after a day of intense bloodshed amid mass anti-government demonstrations. Abdul Mahdi’s decision, announced in a statement on Friday, came in response to a call for a …

Iraq’s prime minister agrees to resign, president says, after weeks of protests
5 years, 2 months ago

Iraq’s prime minister agrees to resign, president says, after weeks of protests

CNN  

CNN — Iraqi Prime Minister Adil Abdul Mahdi has agreed to resign after weeks of anti-government protests that led to hundreds of casualties, Iraq’s president announced Thursday. In a televised speech to the nation on Iraq’s Al-Iraqiya TV, President Barham Salih said Abdul Mahdi had agreed to step down on the condition that a successor is agreed to replace him. …

Iraq on edge after al-Sadr calls for removal of prime minister amid protests
5 years, 2 months ago

Iraq on edge after al-Sadr calls for removal of prime minister amid protests

CNN  

CNN — One of Iraq’s leading Shiite clerics and powerful politicians has called on other parties to back him in removing Prime Minister Adil Abdul Mahdi after weeks of protests. Muqtada al-Sadr, who leads the largest political block in parliament, invited Iraq’s second largest party on Tuesday to cooperate with him in “immediately” holding a vote of no confidence in …

Iraq protests: 46 killed in mass uprising against govt corruption, curfew imposed; top cleric blames politicians
5 years, 3 months ago

Iraq protests: 46 killed in mass uprising against govt corruption, curfew imposed; top cleric blames politicians

Firstpost  

Dozens of demonstrators were killed across Iraq on Thursday and Friday as violent protests against government corruption swelled into a mass spontaneous uprising. Baghdad: Dozens of demonstrators were killed across Iraq on Thursday and Friday as violent protests against government corruption swelled into a mass spontaneous uprising sweeping much of the country, the worst unrest since the defeat of Islamic …

Discover Related