Hundreds of supporters of pro-Iran Iraqi factions took part in a new demonstration on Saturday to protest against the results of the legislative elections near the Green Zone in Baghdad, in the aftermath of violence that left at least one dead.
Read also Iraq: pro-Iran retreat in legislative elections
This fit of fever comes as the parties are negotiating to form parliamentary coalitions on the basis of the preliminary results of the October 10 election. The Alliance of Conquest, the political showcase of Hachd al-Chaabi, an influential coalition of former pro-Iran paramilitaries, saw its number of seats melt at the end of the vote and denounce a "
massive fraud
".
In a calm atmosphere, supporters of Hachd al-Chaabi stood in front of one of the four entrances to the Green Zone, an ultra-protected area that houses government buildings and the United States embassy, the sworn enemy of the United States. 'Iran.
"
No to America
", "
No to fraud
" chanted demonstrators who were surrounded by police forces deployed in large numbers, according to AFP journalists on the spot.
Others burned portraits of Prime Minister Mustafa Al-Kazimi, accusing him of being a “
criminal
”.
Tents and sanitary equipment have been set up on a lawn facing the entrance to the Green Zone, with the intention of starting a new sit-in.
Hundreds of demonstrators have been organizing a sit-in since October 19 near another entrance to the Green Zone.
On Friday, pro-Hachd protesters first blocked three accesses to the Green Zone, then clashed with law enforcement.
According to a source within the police, a protester "
was hit by gunfire and died in hospital
" and more than 100 people were injured.
An official of the Hezbollah Brigades, a member faction of Hachd al-Chaabi, said on Saturday on condition of anonymity that two demonstrators had been killed the day before.
According to Iraqi political scientist Ihsan al-Shamari, the escalation of tensions launched by Hachd supporters is "
a tightrope strategy to obtain more gains
" when it comes to forming the new government.
Despite its rout, the Hachd, whose members are now integrated into the State, will remain an important political force in Parliament, thanks to the play of alliances and the co-optation of independent elected representatives.
Some Iraqis accuse the Hashd of being Iran's relay in their country and blame it for the assassinations and kidnappings of anti-power activists who rose up in October 2019.
Read also Iraq: from Erbil to Sinjar, the difficult return of the displaced from the war against Daesh
Still according to the preliminary results of the October 10 elections, the Sadrist current led by the influential Shiite leader Moqtada Sadr won first place in the legislative elections, with more than 70 seats out of the 329 in Parliament.
The final results of the poll should be published within a few weeks.
