Life returns to normal after lifting the curfew
The return of markets and shops to work and the resumption of exams in Iraq
Iraqi army forces guard the entrance to the Green Zone in Baghdad.
AFP
picture
Yesterday, life returned to normal in Iraq, after bloody armed confrontations in central Baghdad, and following the decision to lift the curfew announced by the Iraqi army following the outbreak of the confrontations, and daily traffic jams returned to the streets of Baghdad, markets and shops returned to work and school exams resumed.
Thirty people were killed and about 600 supporters of the Sadrist movement's leader Muqtada al-Sadr were injured during the confrontations that erupted two days ago in the heavily fortified Green Zone, which includes government headquarters and diplomatic missions.
The clashes took place after thousands of al-Sadr's supporters took to the street to express their anger after announcing his final withdrawal from political life. The Green Zone after ordering them to end the sit-in.
For his part, Iraqi President Barham Salih considered that holding early legislative elections represents a way out of the crisis in his country. Salih said in a televised speech hours after the end of the confrontations: “Having new early elections according to a national understanding represents a way out of the stifling crisis in the country instead of political debate or Collision and strife.”
He pointed out that the elections "ensure political and social stability and respond to the aspirations of Iraqis," without specifying a date.
Parliament must first be dissolved before legislative elections can be organized.
The House of Representatives can only be dissolved by an absolute majority vote of its members, in accordance with the constitution.
It can be done at the request of one-third of the members, or at the request of the Prime Minister and with the approval of the President of the Republic.
In turn, Iraqi Prime Minister Mustafa Al-Kazemi announced that the authorities had launched an investigation into the recent violence, threatening to resign if the political stalemate continued in the country.
Al-Kazemi said in a speech: “I warn that if they want to continue to provoke chaos, conflict, discord, and strife, and not listen to the voice of reason, I will take my moral and patriotic steps by announcing the vacancy of the position at the appropriate time, according to Article 81 of the constitution, and holding them accountable before the Iraqis, and before the Date".
The US Embassy in Baghdad welcomed the end of the clashes and urged all citizens to allow the Iraqi government institutions to continue their work to support Iraq's security, sovereignty and stability.
Yesterday, the Speaker of the Iraqi Parliament, Muhammad Al-Halbousi, announced a three-day mourning in Parliament for the souls of the dead demonstrators and the security forces in all their formations.
The Iraqi parliament declares 3 days of mourning for the lives of the dead protesters and the security forces in all their formations.
Follow our latest local and sports news and the latest political and economic developments via Google news