PALACE COUP
THIS is the shocking moment hundreds of furious protesters stormed Iraq’s government palace after months of political unrest.
Violence erupted in the capital of Baghdad on Monday after rioters tore down the Republican Palace gates and barged into the building.
9
9
9
9
The protests came after influential Shia cleric Muqtada al-Sadr said he was quitting politics for good - sparking fury from thousands of his loyal followers.
Demonstrators were seen taking a dip in the pool inside the palace - a building inside the capital's fortified Green Zone which houses government compounds and embassies.
Protesters lounged in armchairs in meeting rooms, while others waved Iraqi flags and snapped photographs of themselves.
But the riot turned violent as Iraq’s military reportedly opened fire to disperse the huge crowds and take back control of the area.
Read more on Iraq
A nationwide curfew for civilians and vehicles has been announced, starting from 7pm local time on Monday.
Security forces fired tear gas at protesters at the entrance to the heavily fortified government zone as dozens of young men hurled stones at each other in street battles.
Gunfire was heard in central Baghdad, reporters said, apparently from weapons being fired into the air.
Shocking footage from inside the palace showed scuffles breaking out between protesters and baton-wielding cops wearing bullet proof vests.
Most read in News
The Iraqi military said they have been carrying out "the highest levels of self-restraint and brotherly behaviour to prevent clashes or the spilling of Iraqi blood".
It follows weeks of tensions and protests sparked by Sadr's decision to withdraw his entire political party from the Iraqi parliament.
Sadr won the largest share of seats in the country's October 2021 elections - but failed to form a majority government, leading to a huge political crisis in Iraq.
In July, Mohammed Shiya al-Sudani was nominated to lead the country - sparking a wave of protests from Sadr's supporters.
His supporters have been calling for parliament to be dissolved and for new elections.
For weeks they have been staging a sit-in outside Iraq's parliament, after initially storming the legislature's interior on July 30.
Sadr once led a militia against American and Iraqi government forces following the toppling of dictator Saddam Hussein.
Read More on The Sun
Iraq has been ravaged by decades of conflict and endemic corruption.
Supporters of Sadr view him as a champion of the anti-corruption fight.
9
9
9
9
9
Topics