Iraqi protesters withdraw after Al Sadr orders them off Baghdad streets

Nationwide curfew lifted following the cleric's speech after missiles launched from east of capital

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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

Followers of Iraq's Shiite cleric Moqtada Al Sadr left Baghdad's heavily fortified Green Zone on Tuesday after he called for their withdrawal, ending violence that has left at least 30 people dead and hundreds injured.

Mr Al Sadr, who has millions of followers, gave his supporters 60 minutes to leave the capital otherwise he would "distance" himself from them after deadly clashes that gripped the nation.

“The spilling of Iraqi blood is forbidden,” Mr Al Sadr said in a press conference televised nationally.

The cleric appealed for calm and said he was disappointed and “saddened” by what has happened to the country.

“I was hoping for a peaceful protest but what has happened is not a protest. This is not the way to end corruption,” he said.

Caretaker Prime Minister Mustafa Al Kadhimi praised Mr Al Sadr's call to end the violence seen across Baghdad and other governorates.

Following Mr Al Sadr's statement, the army immediately announced that a nationwide curfew, which was put in place on Monday at 7pm, had been lifted.

Official government working hours were suspended across Iraq on Tuesday morning following the unrest in Baghdad for a second day after Mr Al Sadr announced he was quitting political life.

His supporters stormed a government palace on Monday and fought with rival groups.

They also surrounded the Basrah refinery, which produces 210,000 barrels of oil per day, reports said.

Iraq's oil exports were unaffected on Tuesday by the turmoil, Reuters reported.

At least 30 people were confirmed dead after being shot in Baghdad's Green Zone, according to the latest death toll from AFP.

Iraqi security forces said on Tuesday that four rockets landed in the fortified zone, damaging residences.

The Iraqi Security Media Cell said the missiles were launched from the Al Habibiya and Al Baladiyat areas east of the capital.

The General Secretariat of the Iraqi Council of Ministers announced late on Monday that it was suspending official public working hours on Tuesday in all provinces because of the security situation, the Iraqi News Agency reported.

Iran closed its land borders with Iraq and halted flights to the country on Tuesday.

Iranian state television said unrest and curfews in Iraqi cities were to blame for the border closures. Tehran urged citizens to avoid any travel to Iraq, while asking Iranian Shiite pilgrims in Iraq to avoid travel between cities.

Iran's closure of its borders to Iraq comes two weeks before the annual Arbaeen pilgrimage, when millions of pilgrims from neighbouring Iran and other countries go to the Iraqi city of Karbala.

Arbaeen is one of the largest Shiite religious gatherings. It marks the end of the 40 days of mourning after the anniversary of the killing of Imam Hussein at the battle of Karbala in 680.

Emirates has cancelled flights to and from Baghdad following reports of civil unrest and curfews in Iraq, the Dubai-based airline said.

“Customers connecting to Baghdad will not be accepted for travel at their point of origin,” Emirates said.

“We regret the inconvenience caused to our customers.”

Flydubai has also cancelled flights to Baghdad on Tuesday and Wednesday following the deadly clashes in the Iraqi capital.

“We will continue to monitor the situation closely,” an airline representative told The National.

The airline is advising passengers who have bought tickets for travel to Baghdad to call the flydubai contact centre in Dubai to rebook or request a refund.

Iraq’s government has been in deadlock since Mr Al Sadr’s party won the largest share of seats in parliamentary elections in October last year, but not enough to secure a majority government.