LAST UPDATE: 09.58
Iraqi security forces announced today that four rockets landed in Baghdad’s heavily guarded Green Zone, damaging a residential area.
Meanwhile, according to the latest medical source count, 23 supporters of the Shiite cleric Moqtada al-Sadr have been killed by 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, while gunmen in vans carrying automatic weapons and rocket launchers roam the streets.
In addition, the Iraqi government announced that the curfew, which came into effect last Monday night throughout the country, is still valid today. Schools, services and shops remain closed.
The clashes began on Monday 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 fire between Sadrists and supporters of the Cooperation Framework, a rival pro-Iranian Shiite group.
Guterres appeals for ‘de-escalation’
United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Monday called for “restraint” and asked all parties to “immediately take steps to de-escalate the situation” following the chaos that prevailed in Baghdad’s Green Zone, according to a press release issued by the his representative.
Mr Guterres is “following with concern the protests that took place in Iraq”, during which “protesters entered government buildings”, Stephane Dujarric said in the text.
“It appeals for calm and restraint and calls on all parties to take immediate steps to de-escalate the situation and avoid violence,” he continued.
“The Secretary-General urges all parties and all actors to overcome their differences and enter without further delay into an inclusive peaceful dialogue.”
SOURCE: AMPE
Source: Capital
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