All hell breaks loose in the Iraqi capital Baghdad. Heavy fighting is breaking out between supporters of the prominent Shiite cleric al-Sadr and state security forces. The situation threatens to escalate.
The heavily secured area of Iraq’s capital Baghdad, the so-called “green zone,” which houses not only the parliament and ministries but also embassies and international diplomatic missions, has quickly become a contested area.
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Various groups are fighting each other there with armed force, which has already resulted in casualties.
Live ammunition being used.
Unconfirmed reports of injuries. #Iraq #Baghdad pic.twitter.com/LUNpZT8TRW— Tammuz Intel (@Tammuz_Intel) August 29, 2022
Intense gun fire have been heard in the city:
Intense gun fire in Baghdad.#Iraq pic.twitter.com/IlgyI8a2Du
— Baxtiyar Goran ☀️ (@BaxtiyarGoran) August 29, 2022
The renewed unrest appears to be a reaction to pressure on cleric al-Sadr to withdraw from politics.
The influential Shiite cleric tweeted earlier in the day, “I decided earlier that I will not get involved in political affairs. And now I announce my final withdrawal (from politics) and the closure of all institutions (of the Sadr movement).”
With that, it seems, the other Shiite factions have gained the upper hand on the political level. But on the street, things look different.
IRAQ FUTURE CENTER describes Al-Sadr’s recent statement to disavow himself from any escalatory steps taken by his audience, including storming the republican palace in #Baghdad, and the political chaos within the international zone in Baghdad.
1/5 pic.twitter.com/VtVOQSUIMo— Iraq Future Center (@IraqFCDS) August 29, 2022
Although not yet confirmed by the U.S., there are widespread reports that the United States Embassy inside the Green Zone is currently being evacuated.
Entire convoys of international vehicles have also been seen leaving the area in a hurry.
The US embassy employees have been evacuated from the #Green_Zone by the helicopter.#Baghdad, #Iraq pic.twitter.com/HLZerzb0ja
— Khaled Iskef (@khalediskef) August 29, 2022
The White House had previously denied widespread claims that an “evacuation” of the embassy was underway – but given the crumbling security situation in the supposedly “highly secure” Green Zone, it seems more than likely that key personnel are being moved to safety.
Images also show how the presidential palace was stormed:
Protestors storm the Presidential Palace in Baghdad.
— The Post Millennial (@TPostMillennial) August 29, 2022
A war zone:
Terrifying scenes out of Baghdad tonight. Litteraly a war zone. pic.twitter.com/ofGIPQDe4S
— Moshe Schwartz (@YWNReporter) August 29, 2022
Images from the “green zone” itself:
INSIDE THE WELL FORTIFIED “GREEN ZONE” – BAGHDAD pic.twitter.com/CBkxDSbYjT
— The_Real_Fly (@The_Real_Fly) August 29, 2022
One prominent regional Middle East correspondent spoke of a “complete implosion” – and this despite security forces attempting to enforce a strict curfew to clear the streets.
The Republican Palace, where Iraq’s deadlocked parliament is meeting (though interrupted by acting Prime Minister Mustafa al-Kadhimi), was occupied by armed protesters earlier in the evening.
Disaster unfolding in Baghdad #Iraq tonight. Video shows live ammunition, heavy gunfire, rockets fired over Green Zone where protestors are being pushed away. Full implosion: https://t.co/X5sVfgB4f0
— Joyce Karam (@Joyce_Karam) August 29, 2022
Since the fall of Saddam Hussein, Iraq has been in a permanent state of political, ethnic and religious tension, with the divided Shiite majority leading the way, followed by the Sunni Arabs and the Kurds in the north of the country.
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