Iraq: supporters of Moqtada al-Sadr leave the "green zone" in Baghdad after the call of their leader
Supporters of Moqtada al-Sadr withdraw after heavy fighting in the green zone of Baghdad, August 30, 2022. REUTERS - AHMED SAAD
Text by: RFI Follow
2 mins
At least 23 people have died since Monday in clashes between Moqtada al-Sadr militants and forces loyal to the government in Baghdad's "green zone" after the religious leader announced his retirement from political life.
But the leader intervened on Tuesday, calling on his supporters to return home.
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With our special envoys in Iraq,
Guilhem Delteil
and
Bertrand Haeckler
The religious leader spoke at midday on Tuesday in his stronghold of Najaf, south of Baghdad.
"
If all the members of the Sadrist Current do not withdraw within 60 minutes from everywhere, even from the sit-in [in front of Parliament], I will disavow them
", launched in a firm tone
Moqtada al-Sadr
during a conference Press.
He apologized to the Iraqi people, the only ones affected by the events, he said.
“
Iraq must now fight corruption and violence
,” he regretted.
And so he gave his supporters 60 minutes to get home or else they would disown them, he claimed.
Crowds leave the scene
But the pro-Sadr did not wait for the expiry of this period.
Very quickly, the crowds began to leave the premises.
The army also lifted the curfew imposed on the country since Monday in the minutes that followed.
Speaker of Parliament Mohammed al-Halboussi thanked Moqtada al-Sadr for his speech.
The situation therefore seems to be calming down even though, this Tuesday morning again, intense fighting took place in the "green zone", where the ministries and embassies are located in the Iraqi capital.
Mortar shells fell in this enclosure supposed to be very secure, including residential areas.
And exchanges of fire opposed the Peace Brigades, a pro-Moqtada al-Sadr militia to an army unit supported by a pro-Iran militia integrated into the security forces.
Funeral
According to a latest report from a medical source,
at least 23 sadrists have been shot dead since Monday
and 380 people injured in the "green zone".
A funeral was held in Najaf.
►Also read
: Faced with a lasting political crisis, Iraqis between weariness and anger
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