Iraqi Prime Minister's main backers seek to remove him amid protests

At least 250 people have been killed since unrest began on October 1

Iraq's Prime Minister Adel Abdel Mahdi took office just a year ago after weeks of political deadlock AFP

Iraqi Prime Minister Adel Abdul Mahdi's two main backers have agreed to try to remove him from office as protests against his government gained momentum in Baghdad and much of the south only to be met with violence.

Populist cleric Moqtada Al Sadr, who leads Parliament's largest bloc, had asked Mr Abdul Mahdi to call an early election.

When the premier refused, Mr Al Sadr called on his main political rival Hadi Al Amiri to help have him removed.

Mr Al Amiri, who leads a parliamentary alliance of Iran-backed Shiite militia that holds the second-largest amount of seats behind Mr Al Sadr's group, late on Tuesday agreeing to help remove Mr Abdul Mahdi.

"We will work together to secure the interests of the Iraqi people and save the nation in accordance with the public good," Mr Al Amiri said.

Mr Abdul Mahdi took office just a year ago after weeks of political deadlock in which Mr Al Sadr and Mr Al Amiri failed to secure enough votes to form a government.

They appointed Mr Abdul Mahdi as a compromise candidate to lead a fragile coalition government.

Mass protests driven by discontent over economic hardship and corruption have broken nearly two years of relative stability in Iraq. At least 250 people have been killed since the unrest started on October 1.

Baghdad protesters who spoke to The National did not support the removal of Mr Abdul Mahdi, saying that Mr Al Sadr and Mr Al Amiri represented Iranian interests.

“They need to go before Mr Abdul Mahdi goes,” said a protester named Ahmed.

“I’m from Babylon and there we have the Badr Brigades [a militia group closely linked to Mr Amiri]. We are tired of their operations.”

Raqash Al Bayan, 38, a teacher said: “No to Sadr and no to Amiri. Amiri means Iran. We don’t want anyone following Iran.

"Sadr just returned from Iran, and now he comes back to give us speeches?”

Ms Al Bayan was with a group of teachers from her school, all of whom have joined the recent wave of students striking for the protests.

They all said they would prefer to see Gen Abdel Wahab Al Saadi rule the country rather than political parties.

Gen Al Saadi gained fame in Iraq for fighting on the front lines against ISIS. Despite his removal from his post being a catalyst for the protests, he has remained relatively silent on them.

But on Tuesday night, pictures of him visiting demonstrations circulated on social media, and apparently offered his support.

“He’s a revolutionary,” said Shaima Mohamed, 42, also a teacher.

Ms Al Bayan said: “We don’t want a parliamentary system. We want a presidential system. Our Parliament has failed us.

"We want Abdel Wahab Al Saadi, we want someone from the military to run the country.”

Haydar Abbas, 23, an engineer, said that even Mr Abdul Mahdi's resignation would not be enough for the protesters.

“Mahdi is just one person,” Mr Abbas said. “We demand the resignation of all the politicians. He’s just one corrupt person among thousands.”

He said that although he had work, unlike many of the protesters, he only made US$1 an hour, with which he has to support his mother and three siblings.

Like many Iraqi young people, he blames the political class for robbing his generation of opportunities.

“Iraq has one of the biggest budgets in the Middle East," Mr Abbas said. "Where did all the money go?

“Young people are not even able to get married. I can’t because I don’t have enough money. But we all want to get married.”

*Agencies contributed to this report.