Sri Lanka-like protests in Iraq: protestors storm Presidential Palace as Shi'ite cleric quits politics

Massive protests broke out in Iraq's capital city Baghdad on 29 August. In scenes reminiscent of the Sri Lanka crisis, Iraqi protestors were seen storming the Presidential Palace.

Protestors were seen clashing with security personnel inside the palace. Security personnel tried to make the protestors exit.

Protestors were seen heading towards the Green Zone in overflowing vehicles. Demonstrators also breached the Unknown Soldier monument. Some burned tyres on the roads in Basrah city.

With the security situation worsening, authorities announced a curfew in Baghdad. The Iraqi Joint Operations Command declared a complete lockdown in Baghdad, including civilians and vehicles, from 3:30 pm on 29 August.

The protestors are supporters of Muqtada al-Sadr, an influential Shi'ite cleric. Amid a political crisis in Iraq, al-Sadr announced his resignation from politics, and closure of his party offices on 29 August.

His supporters had been staging a protest outside the parliament for over 4 weeks. In elections held in October, al-Sadr had won the largest share of seats, but couldn't form a majority government. al-Sadr has been demanding dissolution of parliament, and early elections.

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