Thousands of protesters have breached Iraq’s parliament for the second time this week.
The protesters, who are followers of an influential Shiite cleric, are demonstrating against the formation of the next government by Iran-backed parties.
Around 125 people were injured in the violence: 100 civilians and 25 members of the security forces, the Health Ministry said.
Iraqi security forces used tear gas and sound bombs to try to repel the protesters. As the numbers inside the parliament increased, the police pushed back.
The expected session of Parliament did not take place and there were no legislators in the room.
Earlier in the day and heeding calls from cleric Muqtada al-Sadr, protesters used ropes to tear down cement barricades leading to the gate of Iraq’s Green Zone, which houses official buildings and foreign embassies.
“We came today to eliminate the corrupt political class and prevent them from holding a session of parliament, and to prevent the Framework from forming a government,” said 41-year-old Raad Thabet. “We have answered al-Sadr’s call. We will go to the Green (Zone). No matter the cost.”
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Al-Sadr’s party walked out of government formation talks in June, giving its rivals in the Coordination Framework alliance the majority they needed to move forward with the process.
Many protesters wore black to mark the days leading up to Ashura, which commemorates the death of Imam Hussein, grandson of the Prophet Muhammad and one of the most important figures in Shiite Islam. Al-Sadr’s messages to his followers have used the important day in Shiite Islam to spark protests.
Al-Sadr has used his large grassroots following as leverage against his rivals.
On Wednesday, hundreds of his supporters stormed the parliament building after the Marc alliance named Mohammed al-Sudani as its presidential candidate and expressed readiness to form a government despite his threats.
Later on Saturday, al-Sadr’s rivals in the Coordination Framework, an alliance of Shiite parties backed by Iran, called on their supporters to stage “peaceful” counter-protests to defend the state, according to a statement from the group . The call raises fears of possible large-scale street battles and bloodshed, not seen since 2007.
“Civil peace is a red line and all Iraqis must be ready to defend it by all possible and peaceful means,” the statement said.
The United Nations expressed concern about the start of new instability and called on Iraqi leaders to de-escalate. “The ongoing escalation is deeply troubling. Voices of reason and wisdom are critical to preventing further violence. All actors are encouraged to de-escalate in the interest of all Iraqis,” the statement said UN