The violence erupted after the authorities began demolishing the protesters' concrete fences at the square and one of the largest bridges across the Tigris River.
In Basra, the police resorted to a sitting strike in an attempt to break up the protests and open roads blocked by protesters. According to information, 16 people have been arrested.
al-Sadr withdrew supportSecurity forces began their raids just hours after popular Shiite minister Moqtada al-Sadr announced that he is withdrawing his support for the demonstrations that have been going on since October to oust the ruling elite.
al-Sadr has been behind the protests since its inception, although he himself controls Parliament's largest bloc and several of the ministerial posts. The protesters have long feared that without their support they would lose their political protection.
On Friday, thousands of protesters gathered in Baghdad since al-Sadr called for protests demanding US soldiers leave Iraq. He did not participate himself, but tweeted to pay tribute to the large turnout and announce that he will no longer be involved in the protesters' struggle for reform.