As supporters of influential Shia cleric Muqtada al-Sadr stormed the Republican Palace, where the government is seated, Iraq’s Joint Operations Command declared a curfew in the capital Baghdad on Monday.
Amid a months-long political crisis in the country, the move came shortly after al-Sadr announced his total withdrawal from politics.
The curfew was imposed at 15:30 local time (12:30 GMT).
According to local media, Iraqi security forces fired heavily to disperse protesters from the vicinity of the palace and took full control of it.
Citing a government statement, the state news agency reported that Prime Minister Mustafa al-Kadhimi suspended Cabinet sessions until further notice.
The move came after protesters stormed the palace, al-Kadhimi’s media office said.
In order to help solve Iraq’s months-long political crisis, al-Sadr called on the country’s political parties to step aside and hold early elections on Saturday.
Al-Sadr also called for the elimination of all parties and personalities that participated in the political process since the US occupation in 2003, from Iraq’s political scene.
Since the last elections on October 10, 2021, intra-Shia disputes have prevented the formation of a new government in Iraq.
