The United Nations Assistance Mission in Iraq (UNAMI) urged all political parties to work together to de-escalate tensions and to use conversation as the sole means of resolving issues.
And, in a statement issued today, Monday, she stated that Iraqis cannot be held captive by an unexpected and unacceptable environment. She stated that the state’s very survival is at danger.
It also demanded that all demonstrators vacate Baghdad’s Green Zone immediately, evacuate all government buildings, and enable the government to carry out its obligations in administering the state in order to serve the Iraqi people.
She emphasised that the current occurrences constitute a very dangerous escalation, and that state institutions must act without delay to serve the Iraqi people in all conditions and at all times.
The UN delegation also advised everyone to remain calm, work with security officials, and avoid actions that may set off an uncontrollable cycle of events.
The US embassy in Baghdad, for its part, stated that the US wants all parties in Iraq to remain peaceful and refrain from activities that might lead to a cycle of violence.
The embassy cautioned today on its Facebook page that reports of turbulence across Iraq are concerning because they do not allow Iraqi institutions to function, adding that the US is concerned about the escalation of tensions. The security, stability, and sovereignty of Iraq must not be endangered. Now is the moment for conversation, not conflict, to overcome disputes.
She also stated that while the freedom to peaceful public protest is a vital component of all democracies, protestors must also respect the Iraqi government’s institutions and property, which belong to and serve the Iraqi people, and institutions must be allowed to function.
The US State Department, for its part, reaffirmed that the rumour of the evacuation of the US embassy in Baghdad was false, emphasising that safeguarding our nationals in Iraq is a top priority.
This came after the Sadrist movement’s leader, Muqtada al-Sadr, announced his final retirement from political work in the aftermath of a severe political crisis in Iraq, and his supporters stormed the presidential palace and entered some of its areas, prompting security to fire tear gas to disperse them.
Angry Sadrist supporters attempted to reach the parliament offices as well, but security personnel locked the Green Zone gates to prevent further protestors from entering.
It is worth noting that Al-Sadr revealed in a tweet on his Twitter account today, Monday, that he has chosen to retire permanently and close all of his movement’s institutions save the shrine, the museum, and the Heritage Authority.
He also intimated that his life would be in danger as a result of his reform endeavour, urging his fans to pray for him in the event that he died or was slain.
It is worth noting that this retirement comes at a sensitive time in the country, especially given the ongoing political crisis since the last parliamentary elections on October 10, 2021, which was exacerbated last July (2022) with the intensification of the dispute between the Sadrist movement and the framework that includes Nuri al-Maliki, the Al-Fateh alliance, factions and parties loyal to Iran.
The fate of the Iraqi state is at danger, according to the UN mission.
About Author
