Iraqi PM: Security in Baghdad 'Under Control'
TEHRAN (Tasnim) – Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi said the security situation in Baghdad is now "under control", a day after thousands of angry protesters stormed the parliament building calling for political reform.
The activists broke into Baghdad's high security Green Zone on Saturday (local time) and entered the parliament building after MPs again failed to approve new ministers.
Jubilant crowds, most of them supporters of Shiite cleric Moqtada al-Sadr, invaded the main session hall, shouting that they had rooted out corruption.
The capital was already on high alert for a major Shiite pilgrimage — participants in which were targeted in a bombing that killed 23 people on Saturday — but extra security measures were taken after the Green Zone break-in.
"You are not staying here! This is your last day in the Green Zone," shouted one protester as thousands broke in.
About six hours after the Green Zone was stormed and despite the chaos, Abadi issued a statement saying the situation was "under the control of the security forces" and urged protesters to return to "designated protest areas", AFP reported.
Besides the parliament compound, the restricted area in central Baghdad houses the presidential palace, the prime minister's office and several embassies, including those of the United States and Britain.
Protesters pulled down several slabs of the heavy concrete blast walls that surround the Green Zone to create an opening and also climbed over the barrier.
They then headed to parliament, where some rampaged through the building and broke into offices, while others shouted "peacefully, peacefully" and tried to contain the destruction.
Parliament Speaker Salim al-Juburi meanwhile issued a statement that referred to MPs as "representatives of the people, and their servants".
Tear gas was used against protesters but violence did not escalate further, with both sides mostly seen fraternizing.
Demonstrators left parliament and began a sit-in at Ihtifalat Square inside the Green Zone.
Protesters earlier pulled barbed wire across a road leading to one of the Green Zone exits, attempting to prevent some scared lawmakers from fleeing the chaos.
They also attacked and damaged several vehicles they believed belonged to MPs.
Inside the main hall where MPs failed to reach a quorum earlier in the day, protesters sat in the MPs' seats taking 'selfies' and shouting slogans.
Parliament failed to reach a quorum on Saturday after approving some of Abadi's ministerial nominees earlier in the week.
The Green Zone unrest started as Sadr ended a news conference in the Shiite holy city of Najaf during which he condemned the political deadlock.
He had threatened to have his supporters storm the Green Zone last month, but did not order them to enter the area in his Saturday address.
Security forces had already been on high alert as tens of thousands of Shiite faithful converged on the city for an annual commemoration.
