The coordinating framework announces an open sit-in in Baghdad on the impact of a stifling political crisis

In a reflection of the severe political crisis in Iraq, the political opponents of Muqtada al-Sadr, in the coordinating framework, began Friday an open sit-in on the walls of the fortified Green Zone in Baghdad, in contrast to another sit-in held by supporters of the Sadrist movement in Parliament two weeks ago.

Since July, the two sides have been facing the Sadrist movement and the coordination framework in a new escalation of sharp political differences without the crisis situation leading to violence, amid the Sadrist movement's demands to dissolve parliament and hold early legislative elections.

Al-Sadr showed that he is able to mobilize the street in order to advance his political goals. For two weeks, his supporters have continued a sit-in next to the Iraqi parliament, in the fortified Green Zone in Baghdad, which includes government institutions and diplomatic headquarters.

Friday, his opponents responded within the coordinating framework by declaring an open sit-in on a road leading to one of the gates of the Green Zone, after a demonstration that included thousands.

Supporters of the framework concluded their demonstration by “declaring an open sit-in in order to achieve our just demands,” according to a final statement read to the protesters, which are eight demands, the most prominent of which are “accelerating the formation of a national service government with full powers in accordance with constitutional contexts.”

The statement also called on "the Speaker of the House of Representatives to end the suspension of work, and to take effective action to vacate the Council and activate its legislative and oversight work."

An Agence France-Presse correspondent saw demonstrators who began setting up tents on the sidewalks of the road adjacent to the walls of the Green Zone.

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