Hundreds of demonstrators affiliated with pro-Iran militias stormed Baghdad’s Green Zone on Friday. The demonstrators took to the streets to protest the results of the October 10 elections.
Pro-militia protestors “threw projectiles and blocked access to the Green Zone on three sides” according to a security source. Security forces “used live ammunition” on protestors which led to at least one casualty according to Mustafa Salim.
Prior to the clashes, Iraqi security forces had increased their presence and anti-riot police were deployed in the area surrounding the Green Zone.
The recent escalation by militia supporters follows a period of sit-in protests where protesters occupied the perimeter of the Green Zone. The Green Zone is home to government buildings and diplomatic missions.
On October 27, Iraq’s Independent High Electoral Commission (IHEC) started a limited manual recount of over 2,000 polling stations across the country over allegations of electoral fraud. However, all appeals to change the election results were rejected by IHEC.
The efforts to overturn the results of the elections are spearheaded by Fateh Coalition, which includes smaller parties affiliated with pro-Iran armed militias. Fateh Coalition underperformed in the October 10 elections, winning only 14 seats as opposed to 48 in the 2018 general elections.
