Baghdad Political Crisis goes on after Terrible Clashes
Newslooks- BAGHDAD (AP)
Iraqi paramilitary forces killed in heavy clashes with the supporters of a powerful Shiite cleric were laid to rest on Wednesday as Iraq’s parliament speaker announced three days of mourning.
In this frame grab from video, people pray next to Iraqi flag-draped coffins of two fighters who were killed in clashes with Iraqi security forces in Baghdad’s Green Zone, at the Imam Ali Shrine during their funeral, in Najaf, Iraq, Tuesday, Aug. 30, 2022. The fighters were among at least 30 people who have died in two days of unrest, according to officials. Those backing cleric Muqtada al-Sadr, who resigned suddenly Monday amid a political impasse, earlier stormed the Green Zone, once the stronghold of the U.S. military that’s now home to Iraqi government offices and foreign embassies. (AP Photo)
In this frame grab from video, people mourn next to Iraqi flag-draped coffins of two fighters who were killed in clashes with Iraqi security forces in Baghdad’s Green Zone, at the Imam Ali Shrine during their funeral, in Najaf, Iraq, Tuesday, Aug. 30, 2022. The fighters were among at least 30 people who have died in two days of unrest, according to officials. Those backing cleric Muqtada al-Sadr, who resigned suddenly Monday amid a political impasse, earlier stormed the Green Zone, once the stronghold of the U.S. military that’s now home to Iraqi government offices and foreign embassies. (AP Photo)
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. The chaos Monday sparked fears that violence could erupt in a country already beset by its worst political crisis in years. (AP Photo/Hadi Mizban)
Still, the threat of more clashes looms as the political rivalry between al-Sadr and his Iran-backed rivals in the Coordination Framework have not been settled. Tensions between the two camps are still palpable and a way out of Iraq’s 10-month political vacuum does not appear within reach.
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. The chaos Monday sparked fears that violence could erupt in a country already beset by its worst political crisis in years. (AP Photo/Hadi Mizban)
Both camps disagree over the appropriate mechanism to dissolve parliament and hold early elections, key demands of al-Sadr. His party won the 2021 federal election but was not able to reach the legislative quorum to vote in a government that excluded his Iran-friendly rivals.
A supporter of Shiite cleric Muqtada al-Sadr waves a national flag from the roof of the Government Palace during a demonstration in 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. The chaos Monday sparked fears that violence could erupt in a country already beset by its worst political crisis in years. (AP Photo/Hadi Mizban)
Al-Sadr’s representative, who goes by the Twitter moniker Mohammed Saleh al-Iraqi, called on Iran to “rein in her camel” in Iraq — a reference to the Framework — or face the consequences. The strong language was unusual from al-Sadr’s camp, indicating tensions are still simmering.
Iraqi security forces prevent protesters from entering the Federal Court during a demonstration in Baghdad, Iraq, Monday, Aug. 29, 2022. (AP Photo/Hadi Mizban)
The statement came in response to an earlier plea from the Framework calling on the parliament to convene, a move al-Sadr’s supporters prevented by storming the legislative assembly in July.
Supporters of Shiite cleric Muqtada al-Sadr wave a national flag from the roof of the Government Palace during a demonstration in 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. The chaos Monday sparked fears that violence could erupt in a country already beset by its worst political crisis in years. (AP Photo/Hadi Mizban)
A funeral procession for four members of the Popular Mobilization Forces, a state-sanctioned umbrella of paramilitaries among which Iran-backed Shiite militias are the most powerful, was held in Baghdad. Key leaders from the Framework attended.
Supporters of Shiite cleric Muqtada al-Sadr enter the Government Palace during a demonstration in 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. The chaos Monday sparked fears that violence could erupt in a country already beset by its worst political crisis in years. (AP Photo/Hadi Mizban)
Iraq’s Parliament Speaker Mohammed Halbousi declared three days of mourning for those killed in the clashes, according to a statement from his office.
Shop-owners in the capital’s markets said they were relieved the army lifted the curfew, fearing a drawn-out conflict would have undermined their livelihoods. Many residents said they feared a return to clashes.
