2022 Baghdad clashes
Part of the 2021–2022 Iraqi political crisis
Date29 – 30 August 2022
Location
Green Zone, Baghdad, Iraq
Caused by
Methods
Parties

Iraq Protestors

Iraq Counter-protesters
Lead figures

Iraq Non-centralized leadership

Casualties and losses
30 killed; 590 injured[1]
Unknown
0 killed; 110 injured[1]

Following Iraqi politician Muqtada al-Sadr's announcement of his resignation from politics in 2022, a civil conflict broke out between supporters of Sadr and pro-Iranian forces.[2] The move came after the resignation of Grand Ayatollah Kadhim Al-Haeri, the leader of his Iran-based Sadrist movement, which Sadr believed wasn't of his own volition.[3] The unrest was considered the most serious crisis in the country since the defeat of the Islamic State in the country in 2017, since which Iraq has had relative stability.[4] The clashes left at least 30 people dead and 700 more injured, including 110 members of the security forces.[1]

Background

Tensions between the two Shiite groups began with the 2021 parliamentary election when Iran-backed Shiite blocs lost seats to the Sadrist, an anti-Iranian movement. Despite winning the most seats in the election, the Sadrist failed to form a government and Sadr eventually pulled his political bloc from parliament in June 2021. Subsequently, the Iran-backed blocs tried to form a government, causing Sadrist protests outside parliament.[3] Sadr has also called for the parliament to be dissolved and for snap elections to be held.[2]

Clashes

On 29 August 2022, hours after Sadr announced his withdrawal from politics, violent protests broke out in Baghdad, Iraq, between Muqtada al-Sadr's supporters and pro-Iranian forces. The Iraqi government remained mostly neutral during the clashes.[3][2] Sadr's supporters stormed the Republican Palace in the Green Zone,[5] reportedly accessing the pool.[6] At 15:30 local time on 29 August, a curfew was declared in Baghdad.[7] The same day, Sadr announced he would go on a hunger strike until the violence stopped.[1]

As night fell, fighting worsened in the city with militia fighters firing several rockets into the Green Zone. The C-RAM air defence system belonging to the US embassy in Baghdad was also reportedly heard. By morning, Iraqi security forces had pushed protestors out of the Republican Palace[8] and shut down government offices.[1] Negotiations between the three sides were also reported.[8] Later in the day, more protesters began to join the armed confrontations.[1]

The clashes ended on 30 August when Sadr demanded that his supporters conduct a "peaceful revolution" and leave the Green Zone. He said he did not wish to be a part of a violent revolution and did not want Iraqi blood on his hands. He also thanked the Iraqi security forces for remaining impartial during the clashes. Following Sadr's speech, Hadi al-Amiri, leader of the pro-Iranian Hushd militia group, issued a statement calling for "dialogue."[2]

There were also reports of protests throughout Iraq, including in the provinces of Basra, Dhi Qar, Maysan and Muthanna.[9]

Reactions

Calling the developments an "extremely dangerous escalation", the United Nations Assistance Mission for Iraq (UNAMI) called on all parties to "refrain from actions that could lead to an unstoppable chain of events."[10]

United States National Security Council spokesman John Kirby said, "Security, stability and sovereignty should not be put at risk… We urge those involved to remain calm, to abstain from this violence and pursue peaceful avenues of redress."[11]

See also

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 Rasheed, Jillian Kestler-D'Amours,Zaheena. "At least 30 killed in Iraq armed clashes, hundreds wounded". www.aljazeera.com. Archived from the original on 2022-09-02. Retrieved 2022-09-02.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  2. 1 2 3 4 "Peace Returns to Baghdad after Cleric's Supporters Leave Green Zone". VOA. Archived from the original on 2022-09-01. Retrieved 2022-09-02.
  3. 1 2 3 Abbas Al Lawati and Adam Pourahmadi (31 August 2022). "What 24 hours of chaos in Iraq says about who controls the country". CNN. Archived from the original on 2022-09-02. Retrieved 2022-09-02.
  4. ↑ "Iraq chaos as al-Sadr supporters storm Green Zone after he quits". Al Jazeera. Archived from the original on 2022-08-30. Retrieved 2022-08-30.
  5. ↑ "Curfew imposed in Iraq's Baghdad after al-Sadr supporters storm Republican Palace". Al Arabiya English. 2022-08-29. Archived from the original on 2022-08-29. Retrieved 2022-08-29.
  6. ↑ Ukenye, Lawrence (August 30, 2022). "U.S. urges calm as violent protests erupt in Baghdad". POLITICO. Archived from the original on August 30, 2022. Retrieved August 30, 2022.
  7. ↑ "Total curfew in Iraq's Baghdad to begin from 15:30 local time - state news agency". Reuters. 2022-08-29. Archived from the original on 2022-08-29. Retrieved 2022-08-29.
  8. 1 2 Al Jazeera Staff. "Iraqi capital Baghdad wakes up to gunfire after night of violence". www.aljazeera.com. Archived from the original on 2022-09-02. Retrieved 2022-09-02.
  9. ↑ Baghdad, U. S. Embassy in (2022-08-29). "Demonstration Alert: U.S. Embassy Baghdad, Iraq". U.S. Embassy & Consulates in Iraq. Archived from the original on 2022-08-29. Retrieved 2022-08-29.
  10. ↑ AFP. "12 dead in Baghdad clashes as Sadr loyalists storm government palace". The Times of Israel. Archived from the original on 2022-08-29. Retrieved 2022-08-29.
  11. ↑ "US urges calm amid 'disturbing' Baghdad unrest, denies embassy evacuation". The Times of Israel. Archived from the original on 2022-08-29. Retrieved 2022-08-30.
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