The clashes began yesterday hours after powerful Shiite cleric Moqtada al-Sadr announced his retirement from politics.
The Iraqi security forces announced today that four rockets landed in Baghdad’s heavily guarded Green Zonecausing damage to a residential area.
Meanwhile, according to a more recent report from a medical source, 23 supporters of the Shia cleric Moqtada al-Sadr have lost their lives of bullets since yesterday Monday. At the same time, at least 380 people have been injured by violent clashes in the Green Zone between supporters of rival groups.
After a quiet night, clashes between Sadr’s supporters on one side and the army and members of Hasd al-Shaabi, a paramilitary, pro-Iranian group that has joined the regular forces, on the other began again this morning.
Automatic weapons fire and the sound of rockets from the Green Zone could be heard throughout Baghdad.
Citizens are avoiding leaving their homes today as gunmen in vans carrying automatic weapons and rocket launchers roam the streets.
Besides, the Iraqi government announced that the Curfew, which went into effect last Monday night across the country, is still in effect today. Schools, services and shops remain closed.
The clashes started yesterday Monday just hours after powerful Shiite cleric Moqtada al-Sadr announced his retirement from politics. His supporters, who have been holding a sit-in protest at the parliament in the Green Zone for weeks, decided to demonstrate and hundreds of them stormed the House of the Republic, where the Council of Ministers is based.
Witnesses said there was an exchange of gunfire between the Sadrists and supporters of the Cooperation Framework, a rival pro-Iranian Shiite organization.
Announcement of the Greek Ministry of Foreign Affairs
In the meantime, Athens expressed its concern about the resurgence of conflicts in Baghdad, calling for a de-escalation.
“We are particularly concerned about the recent clashes in Baghdad, which have resulted in the deaths of civilians. We call for the avoidance of violence and the immediate de-escalation of the situation. The political forces should start a political dialogue, within the framework provided by the Constitution and the Legislation of the country. Greece will continue to support the security, stability and sovereignty of Iraq,” the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said in a statement.
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