Iraq’s judiciary suspended its activities on Tuesday after supporters of Shi’ite cleric Moqtada al-Sadr, one of the country’s most influential political figures, camped around its headquarters in Baghdad to demand the dissolution of the Iraqi government. Parliament.
The move exacerbates one of Iraq’s worst political crises since it was invaded by the United States in 2003. In late July, hundreds of pro-Sadr protesters took over parliament to protest attempts by rival groups to the cleric to form a majority. . As a result, almost ten months after the elections, the government remains paralyzed.
Prime Minister Mustafa al-Kadhimi has cut short an official trip to Egypt to deal with the crisis. In a statement, he said that the disruption of the judiciary “exposes the country to serious risks” and renewed calls for national dialogue, calling for calm on all sides.
The judiciary, in turn, issued a statement in which it says that the suspension of work is a demonstration against the unconstitutionality of the actions of Sadr’s supporters.
The populist cleric rose to fame for opposing foreign interference in the country after the US invasion — whether from the Americans themselves or from Iran, criticized for its close involvement in Iraqi politics.
Although the Shiite party was the most voted in last year’s elections, winning 74 of the 329 seats in Parliament was not enough to form a majority and constitute a government with legitimacy.
The bloc of Shi’ite groups allied with Iran boycotted attempts to form a government, prompting Sadr’s party to leave parliament and paving the way for his opponents to try to enact the choice of Muhammad al-Sudani, near Tehran, as first. -minister.
That was the trigger for the anger of Sadr’s followers, who took over Parliament, tore down concrete walls in the government complex and fought with security forces with a toll of 125 wounded. The demand of the cleric and his supporters is the formation of a provisional government until new elections are scheduled.
Tensions between the two factions have remained simmering amid political stalemates amid growing fears of violence in an Iraq already warred by conflict.
