Iraqi forces call on protesters to withdraw from the Green Zone and announce a comprehensive curfew in Baghdad

Baghdad-Sana

The Joint Operations Command in Iraq called on the demonstrators to withdraw immediately from inside the Green Zone and announced a comprehensive curfew in Baghdad, starting at half past three in the afternoon today, until further notice.

The leadership said in a statement today, carried by the Iraqi News Agency, "The security forces call on the demonstrators to withdraw immediately from inside the Green Zone," stressing that they adhered to the highest levels of restraint to prevent clashes or the spilling of Iraqi blood.

The statement explained that the security forces are responsible for protecting government institutions, international missions, and public and private properties, noting that dealing with peaceful demonstrations is carried out through the constitution and laws.

Hundreds of demonstrators stormed the Green Zone in central Baghdad, after the leader of the Sadrist movement, Muqtada al-Sadr, announced his "permanent retirement from political work and the closure of all its institutions."

In a related context, the Presidents of the Republic, Barham Salih, Ministers Mustafa Al-Kazemi, Parliament, Muhammad Al-Halbousi, and the Supreme Judiciary, Faiq Zaidan, called for calm, stopping political escalation and adopting dialogue to end the current differences.

After today's meeting, the four parties affirmed that maintaining security, stability, and the democratic and constitutional path in Iraq is the duty of all Iraqis as it is the duty of state institutions and national political forces, pointing out that constructive dialogue is the right way to end all current differences in order to preserve the country's capabilities.

The meeting renewed its support for the Prime Minister's call to hold a new round of national dialogue this week to discuss and discuss ideas and initiatives related to resolving the current crisis. It also renewed the Sadrist movement's invitation to attend the dialogue session.

Since the early parliamentary elections in October 2021, Iraq has been suffering from a political crisis, as consultations between the political parties on naming a prime minister did not lead to an agreement.

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