On August 30, Iran closed its land borders to Iraq and suspended flights to the nation, after riots in Baghdad in response to an influential Shia cleric’s announcement that he would resign from politics.
According to two medical experts, the death toll in Iraq has risen to 22 since the disturbance began the previous day.
Four rockets were launched into the strongly protected Green Zone, the seat of Iraq’s government, where armed confrontations occurred overnight between a militia loyal to Iraqi cleric Muqtada al-Sadr and Iraqi security forces, according to the Iraqi military.
The abrupt resignation of Al-Sadr has plunged Iraq into violence and instability, with no apparent way out. The cleric’s influence stems from his capacity to mobilise and control his vast grassroots following, but by announcing his retirement from politics, he has tacitly given them the freedom to act as they see fit.
To avenge the execution of unarmed followers, al-militia Sadr’s Saraya Salam clashed with Iraqi security forces in the Green Zone, according to two security officials, using a variety of weapons, including mortars and rocket-propelled grenades. Overnight, the militia seized several headquarters of competing Iran-backed paramilitary groups in the southern provinces.
Iranian state television blamed the border closures on “unrest” and “curfew” in Iraqi cities. It asked Iranians not to travel to Iraq and urged Iranian Shia pilgrims in Iraq not to travel between cities.
Since al-party Sadr’s won the most seats in the October legislative elections, but not enough to form a majority administration, Iraq’s government has been paralysed. His unwillingness to negotiate with his Iran-backed Shia opponents, and subsequent withdrawal from the discussions, has thrown the country into political uncertainty and volatility, as intra-Shia bickering intensifies.
To enhance his political ambitions, al-Sadr has wrapped his words in a nationalist and reform agenda that has struck a deep chord with his vast grassroots support. They are calling for the dissolution of parliament and the holding of early elections without the participation of Iran-backed Shia factions, whom they blame for the current situation.
The decision came as millions of Iranians prepared to travel to Iraq for their yearly pilgrimage to Shia shrines. Meanwhile, Kuwait has advised its people in neighbouring Iraq to flee the country. The state-run KUNA news agency also advised individuals planning to visit Iraq to postpone their plans due to the outbreak of deadly street battles between rival Shia groups in the country.
Kuwait, a tiny Gulf Arab sheikhdom, shares a 254-kilometre (158-mile) border with Iraq. Foreign Affairs Minister Wopke Hoekstra tweeted early Tuesday that the Netherlands has evacuated its mission in the Green Zone.
“There are firefights around the embassy in Baghdad. Our staff are now working at the German embassy elsewhere in the city,” Mr. Hoekstra wrote. Emirates, Dubai’s long-haul airline, halted flights to Baghdad on Tuesday due to the ongoing turmoil in Iraq. The carrier stated that it was “monitoring the situation closely.”
It was not specified whether flights would restart on Wednesday.
Protesters loyal to cleric Muqtada al-Sadr, who resigned Monday, used ropes to break down the cement barriers outside the government palace and breach the palace gates. Many people poured inside the palace’s magnificent salons and marbled hallways, a significant meeting location for Iraqi heads of state and foreign guests.
In response to the violence, Iraq’s military declared a statewide curfew, and the caretaker prime minister cancelled Cabinet proceedings. According to medical officials, dozens of protestors were injured by gunfire, tear gas, and physical altercations with riot police.