Protesters from rival Shiite blocs have taken to the streets of several Iraqi cities in a show of force that sparked fears of a descent into violence amid a 10-month political standoff to appoint a new government.
The demonstrations followed a weekend occupation of Iraq’s parliament by supporters of powerful Shiite cleric Moqtada al-Sadr, who has called for the post-2003 political system in Iraq to be overthrown through a popular uprising. perhaps the most serious challenge Iraq has faced since then. the Islamic State terrorist group overran Mosul and nearly stormed Baghdad in June 2014.
Protesters from Iran-backed groups known as the Coordination Framework joined the fray as concerns grew over violence spilling over into the country’s Shiite communities and further chaos for a battered country by a series of socio-economic crises.
Security forces use a water cannon to prevent Coordination Framework supporters from entering the high-security Green Zone in Baghdad on August 1. Photograph: Ahmad Al-Rubaye/AFP/Getty Images
The unpredictable Sadr performed well in national elections last October, but ordered the resignation of his deputies and has recently begun rallying his formidable numbers on Iraqi streets, posing a growing threat to the establishment politician.
On the other hand, Iran-linked groups performed poorly in the poll and have since sought to recoup losses, rejecting attempts to name a president or prime minister and insisting their influence remains strong in the 329-seat parliament.
The two sides avoided direct confrontations on Monday. Iran-linked blocs ordered their supporters to leave on the same buses that had taken them to the edge of Baghdad’s Green Zone earlier in the day.
Supporters of Moqtada al-Sadr gather at the Iraqi Parliament building in Baghdad on Monday. Photograph: Ahmed Jalil/EPA
Meanwhile, Sadr’s supporters remained inside the Green Zone, where many had camped inside parliament for the past two days, some setting up barber stalls and food carts.
Earlier, some government ministries had been evacuated in anticipation of disorder, and several powerful tribes in southern Iraq had expressed support for Sadr, who has a broad and influential base among Iraq’s working-class Shiites and he is a force to be reckoned with among political leaders and the Shiite clergy.
While senior officials were greeted with relief by the decision to step down and the appeasing language that followed, there are still concerns that Monday will be a dress rehearsal of days and weeks, where tensions could inevitably boil over, especially if Sadr follows through on his vow . to bring down the system.
Iraqi protesters storm parliament for second time this week, video report
The clash was the closest Sadr and his bitter rival, former prime minister Nouri al-Maliki, have come to direct confrontation since early 2008, when Maliki, as leader, ordered a military defeat of the Sadr’s forces in the southern city of Basra.
Maliki was ousted as leader in 2014 as Islamic State threatened Baghdad, but has returned to prominence among Tehran-backed groups and has insisted that his candidate be named prime minister.
Baghdad has been central to a battle for influence between Iran and nationalist groups since shortly after the fall of Saddam Hussein. Iran has steadily built a power base in the country over the past two decades and has particular influence in the country’s parliament.
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Tehran’s gains were largely consolidated under the influence of former Iranian general Qassem Suleimani, who was killed in January 2020 by a US airstrike. A vacuum has since formed, with numerous Iranian factions vying for control.
Sadr also maintains ties to Iran and was a prominent player in the civil war that tore the country from 2004 to 2010. However, he has since sought to establish nationalist credentials, speaking of the need to return granting the right to the Sunni sect of Iraq and establishing links with the Kurds of the semi-autonomous north.