In Baghdad, the Iraqi capital, a deadly surge of violence unfolded after Muqtada al-Sadr, the prominent Shiite cleric, announced his withdrawal from politics. The ensuing days saw at least 28 deaths and a wide wave of unrest that shook government districts and crowded streets alike. The period marked a volatile clashing of factions, with critics of al-Sadr ranging from hardline Shiite militias to political rivals who feared a destabilizing move against any possibility of forming a government aligned with his movement or its allies.
The protests began on Monday outside the offices of the Popular Mobilization Forces, a coalition of Shiite militias backed by Iran. Despite government pleas for restraint, demonstrators faced heavy responses as demonstrators clashed with armed groups in the capital. What followed escalated into street warfare, with machine guns, rocket launchers, mortars, and armored vehicles inflicting casualties across the Green Zone, a central district that houses government buildings and several foreign missions. Parliament and the Government Palace were among the sites attacked as clashes spread through the urban core.
By dawn the following day, the fighting persisted. The government reported around 400 people injured in addition to the confirmed dead, though the total could be higher as the violence continued to unfold. The Iraqi prime minister urged calm, asking protesters to withdraw from the Green Zone and adhere to security instructions to protect both state institutions and citizens. A curfew was declared across the country to stabilize the capital and its surroundings.
Despite official calls for peace, the conflict continued, with many accusing Iran-backed Shiite militias of effectively operating a parallel authority within Iraq. The assertion drew widespread concern about the role of external actors in Iraqi affairs as security forces sought to restore control and defend public institutions from further damage.
Hunger strike
In a televised statement issued on Tuesday morning, al-Sadr announced that he would engage in a hunger strike as a means to press for an end to the violence and political gridlock. He asserted that the fight against corruption must not justify violence, and he noted his withdrawal from politics as a response to escalating tensions. Statements from allied figures suggested that al-Sadr would not be judged by traditional leadership criteria, with some observers pointing to a need for a broader consensus among religious authorities to guide the situation. The message underscored a call for adherence to principles of reform while avoiding violent actions that harm civilians.
Efforts toward new parliamentary elections were anticipated in the coming months, following the collapse of last month’s negotiations. Al-Sadr’s party, which had secured victories in the two most recent national ballots, did not participate in talks, and many of its lawmakers resigned amid the standoff with parties linked to pro-Iranian militias. The political landscape remained fragile as clerical and political factions debated how to proceed amid a deteriorating security environment.
Last week witnessed further disruptions as supporters of al-Sadr stormed a national courthouse, halting negotiations and complicating any immediate path forward. It remained unclear whether talks would resume amid ongoing hostilities, with leadership lines and allegiances further clarified by the latest developments.
Meanwhile, thousands of residents fled the southern regions as fighting spilled into areas previously quiet, with the north also affected as the influence of armed Shiite groups fluctuated. Iraq tightened its borders with Iran, and numerous flights into and out of Baghdad were canceled due to security concerns, heightening fears of further disruption to civilians and essential services during the crisis.