In the midst of violent clashes in the Green Zone of Iraq’s capital, Hassan al-Adhari, the head of the Sadrist bloc resigning from the Iraqi parliament, announced today, Monday, that the Sadrist movement’s leader, Muqtada al-Sadr, has declared a hunger strike until the violence and use of weapons cease.
Through his Telegram account, Al-Adari stated, “Removing the corrupt does not provide anybody, no matter what, a justification for the use of violence from all sides.”
This comes as Al-Arabiya reported rockets falling near the government palace in the Green Zone, as well as the usage of RPG launchers in the continuing fighting there.
It also suggested an attack on the Popular Mobilization headquarters in Baghdad’s Palestine Street neighbourhood.
Furthermore, images circulated of gunfire at the headquarters of the Al-Salam Brigades of Al-Sadr in Basra.
It was also stated that the Iraqi Hezbollah militia’s headquarters in the city had been struck.
Another video circulating shows armed battles in Basra between Sadrist supporters and PMF terrorists.
Earlier in the day, al-Sadr declared his retirement from politics, provoking hundreds of his enraged supporters to assault the government palace, resulting in confrontations with security forces that killed 12 people, according to AFP.
Demonstrators loyal to cleric Muqtada al-Sadr broke the palace gates and destroyed the concrete barricades outside the government palace.
Many people attracted to the palace’s lavish salons and marble halls, which served as a gathering venue for heads of state and visiting dignitaries.
In reaction to the violence, the Iraqi military ordered a statewide curfew and the interim prime minister cancelled cabinet proceedings.
Al-Sadr announced earlier today, via Twitter, that he had retired from political work and closed his current offices, following months of stumbling in the countrys political scene, and stumbled in electing a president of the republic and forming a new government, due to the intransigence of Sadrs opponents from the pro-Iranian coordination framework.
Al-Sadr declares a hunger strike until the bloodshed in Iraq ceases.
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