Baghdad: Chaos erupted in Iraq on Monday after powerful Shiite cleric Moqtada Sadr said he was quitting politics and his supporters stormed the government palace in Baghdad’s fortified Green Zone. Medical officials said at least 15 protesters were wounded by gunfire and a dozen more were injured by tear gas and physical altercations with the police. The military has since announced a nation-wide curfew and the caretaker premier has suspended Cabinet sessions in response to the violence.
Iraq’s government has been deadlocked since al-Sadr’s party won the largest share of seats in October parliamentary elections but not enough to secure a majority government. His refusal to negotiate with his Iran-backed Shiite rivals and subsequent exit from the talks has catapulted the country into political uncertainty and volatility amid intensifying intra-Shiite wrangling.
Source: Times Now
