Iran reopens Iraq border after Moqtada Al Sadr orders followers to end protests

Borders had been closed and flights to Iraq halted after violence following cleric's vow to quit politics

Iran reopened its border with Iraq on Tuesday, shortly after Iraqi Shiite cleric Moqtada Al Sadr ordered his followers to end their protests, state media reported.

Iran had closed its borders and halted flights to Iraq after violence began in the neighbouring country following Mr Al Sadr's announcement on Monday that he would quit politics.

Millions of Iranians travel to the Iraqi city of Kerbala every year for the ritual of Arbaeen, which marks the end of a 40-day mourning period for the grandson of the Prophet Mohammad, Imam Hussein.

This year, Arbaeen falls on September 16 and 17.

"As security and calm have been restored in Iraq, all borders are open now," state TV quoted an Iranian official as saying.

Earlier, state TV said Iran had halted all flights to Iraq "until further notice because of the ongoing unrest".

"We are trying to arrange an emergency flight to bring back Iranians from Iraq and Baghdad who are currently at the airport. We hope to evacuate them today," state TV quoted a senior aviation authority as saying.

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  Iraqi Prime Minister Mustafa Al Kadhimi has threatened to resign if the political stand-off in the country is not resolved. Photo: Iraqi Prime Minister's Media Office

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  An aerial view of Yafa Street in Baghdad after Shiite cleric Moqtada Al Sadr called on his supporters to withdraw from the Iraqi capital's heavily fortified Green Zone. AP

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  Plumes of smoke rise after small fires were lit near the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier and Parliament in Baghdad. AP

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  Mr Al Sadr's followers heed his call to withdraw from the Green Zone after violent clashes in Baghdad. Reuters

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  A supporter of Mr Al Sadr helps to dismantle the encampment in Baghdad's high-security Green Zone. AFP

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  Supporters of Mr Al Sadr pack up belongings as they prepare to leave the Green Zone. AP

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  A supporter of Mr Al Sadr rolls up a mattress as their encampment in the Green Zone is dismantled. AFP

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  Municipality workers clean up while Iraqi army soldiers guard the entrance to the Green Zone. AFP

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  Mr Al Sadr addresses a news conference in Najaf, Iraq. Reuters

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  Iraqi Shiite gunmen clash with government forces in the Green Zone of central Baghdad. EPA

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  Smoke rises from a building in Baghdad. EPA

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  Armed members of Saraya Al Salam, the military wing affiliated with Shiite cleric Moqtada Al Sadr. AFP

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  An armed member of Saraya Al Salam. AFP

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  A member of Saraya Al Salam takes aim. AFP

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  Armed members of the Peace Brigades militia in Baghdad's Green Zone. AFP

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  They are affiliated with Shiite cleric Moqtada Al Sadr. AFP

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  Peace Brigades members clash with security forces in the Iraqi capital. AFP

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  The office of rival Shiite party the Badr Organisation, which was burnt by Sadrists. Reuters

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  Iraqi security armoured vehicles during clashes with the Peace Brigades in the Green Zone. AFP

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  Peace Brigades members carry weapons in the fortified zone. AFP

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  Smoke over Baghdad during an army-imposed curfew, a day after 23 Al Sadr supporters were shot dead. AFP

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  A Peace Brigades member leads a mass funeral in Najaf for Al Sadr supporters killed in the clashes in Baghdad's Green Zone. AFP

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  Tears during the mass funeral. AFP

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  Mourners pray in front of the coffins of Al Sadr supporters. Reuters

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  A coffin is carried at the funeral. AFP

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  The ceremony took place at a cemetery in Najaf, central Iraq. AFP

Mr Al Sadr called on his supporters to withdraw from the streets of central Baghdad on Tuesday, easing a confrontation which led to the deadliest violence in the Iraqi capital in years.

Apologising to Iraqis after 22 people were killed in clashes between an armed group loyal to him and rival Shiite Muslim factions backed by Iran, Mr Al Sadr condemned the fighting and gave his followers one hour to disperse.

"This is not a revolution because it has lost its peaceful character," the former anti-US insurgent leader said in a televised address. "The spilling of Iraqi blood is forbidden."

As the deadline passed at about 2pm, his followers could be seen beginning to leave the area in the fortified Green Zone in central Baghdad where government offices are located and where they had occupied parliament for weeks.

Followers of Iraqi cleric Moqtada al-Sadr withdraw from the streets after violent clashes, near the Green Zone in Baghdad, Iraq, August 30, 2022. REUTERS / Ahmed Saad TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY

Monday's clashes between rival factions of Iraq's Shiite Muslim majority follow 10 months of political deadlock since Iraq's October parliamentary election, which have raised fears of escalating unrest.

Mr Al Sadr emerged as the main winner in the election but failed in his efforts to form a government with Sunni Muslim Arab and Kurdish parties, excluding the Iran-backed Shiite groups.

This week's violence erupted after Mr Al Sadr said he was withdrawing from all political activity, a decision he said was prompted by the failure of other Shiite leaders and parties to reform a corrupt and decaying governing system.

An Iraqi government official, speaking shortly before Mr Al Sadr's address, said authorities could not impose control on the rival armed groups.

"The government is powerless to stop this, because the military is divided into (Iran) loyalists and Sadrists as well," the official said.