Blast walls and concrete reinforcements are being set up in Baghdad’s Green Zone area in anticipation of more mass protests against Iran-backed political parties and their nominee to lead the next government.
The walls with more concrete reinforcements were installed on Thursday around the already heavily fortified area, which is home to the seat of the government, parliament, ministries, the US embassy and Al Salam palace, one of the biggest palaces of ousted dictator Saddam Hussein.
Thousands of protesters — mostly followers of the Shiite cleric Moqtada Al Sadr — breached security measures around the approximately 10 square kilometre area on Wednesday and stormed the parliament building in protest against a candidate to lead the next government.
Mohammed Al Sudani is the candidate of the Co-ordination Framework, a group of political parties seen by many Iraqis as being backed by Iran.
The protesters chanted slogans against Iran, and condemned the endemic corruption and political stalemate in Iraq.
Iraq held parliamentary elections in October but the political parties have failed to elect a president and prime minister.
Mr Al Sadr, who emerged as kingmaker in several elections held after Saddam was ousted in 2003, withdrew last month from the political process despite his bloc winning the most seats, saying that he did not want to co-operate with “corrupt” politicians.
His supporters in parliament immediately followed in his footsteps by resigning en masse.
The influential Shiite cleric called on supporters who stormed parliament on Wednesday to “return home and pray, as you have sent your message”.
‘We will remain neutral’
Caretaker Prime Minister Mustafa Al Kadhimi, warned anew on Thursday that the political standoff posed a threat to the relative peace and stability in Iraq.
“The government renews its appeal to all political parties to adopt the approach of constructive dialogue,” Mr Al Kadhimi said in a statement carried by the Iraqi News Agency.
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Supporters of Iraqi Shiite cleric Moqtada Al Sadr, head of the Sadrist movement, gather inside Iraq's Parliament buliding. EPA -
The cleric's followers enter the Parliament building in a show of force. EPA -
Anti-riot policemen use water cannons in a bid to disperse supporters of Mr Al Sadr. EPA -
A demonstrator lies on the desk of the Speaker of the Iraqi parliament. AFP -
Supporters of Mr Al Sadr flash the victory sign as they gather inside the Iraqi Parliament. AFP -
There's always time for a selfie. AFP -
The demonstrators are protesting the recent selection of Mohammed Al Sudani as the official nominee of the Co-ordination Framework bloc. AFP -
It is the largest protest since federal elections were held in October. AFP -
The protesters sit in the building, in Baghdad's high-security Green Zone. AFP -
A person holds a portrait of Mr Al Sadr. Reuters -
Protesters raise flags and a portrait of Mr Al Sadr. Reuters -
Al Sadr posted a statement on Twitter telling supporters their message had been received. Reuters -
People stand outside of the Parliament building during the protest. Reuters -
Supporters of Iraqi Shiite cleric Moqtada Al Sadr protest against corruption inside the Parliament building in Baghdad, Iraq. Reuters -
Mr Al Sadr's supporters protest against corruption inside the Parliament building in Baghdad. Reuters -
Demonstrators protest inside the Parliament building. Reuters -
Protesters demonstrate inside the Parliament building. Reuters -
Protesters pull down a wall with chains and ropes during a protest against corruption. Reuters -
Supporters of Mr Al Sadr carry a person during a protest against corruption in the Green Zone in Baghdad. Reuters -
Iraqi security forces stand outside the main gate of Baghdad's Green Zone as demonstrators protest against the nomination of Mohammed Shia Al Sudani as prime minister. AFP -
Mr Al Sadr's supporters gather outside the main gate of Baghdad's Green Zone. AFP -
Supporters of Mr Al Sadr protest against corruption in Baghdad. Reuters -
Protesters break down barricades in Baghdad. Reuters -
Supporters of Mr Al Sadr demonstrate in Baghdad. Reuters -
Iraqi security forces prepare to meet the demonstrators in Baghdad's Tahrir Square. AFP -
Supporters of Mr Al Sadr gather in Baghdad's Tahrir Square to protest against the nomination of Mohammed Shia Al Sudani as prime minister. AFP -
Protesters demonstrate in Baghdad. AFP -
Mr Al Sadr's supporters walk across a bridge to the Green Zone during a protest against corruption in Baghdad. Reuters
He reiterated that it was important for his caretaker government to “remain neutral”, amid accusations from Co-ordination Framework leaders that the authorities did little to prevent the storming of parliament.
“We denounce the smear campaign against the government and urge the parties concerned to display restraint,” said Mr Al Kadhimi, a former head of Iraq’s National Intelligence Service.
The Framework bloc said on Thursday that it would not withdraw its controversial candidate for prime minister, but would set up a team of negotiators to seek agreement and defuse tensions.
It called on Mr Al Kadhimi “to take concrete steps to maintain public order and security, and to prevent chaos”.
Nouri Al Maliki, a former prime minister whose Al Dawaa Party is part of the Framework coalition, visited the Green Zone during the protests on Wednesday. He was flanked by armed body guards and seen walking about with a firearm.
