Kurdish MPs leave Baghdad as Sadr plans mass protest
.jpg)
ERBIL, Kurdistan Region (Kurdistan24) – The Kurdish MPs in the Iraqi parliament have returned to Kurdistan Region due to the instabilities dominating Baghdad.
Shakhawan Abdullah from Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP) in the Iraqi parliament told Kurdistan24 that MPs left Baghdad to avoid the upheavals that might hit Baghdad on Thursday and Friday.
Abdullah stated that “The government organized a military parade for the Iraqi army on Wednesday in preparation for the Thursday parade but we have seen in the past that the situation gets out of the control when Iraqi army, the police, and Hashd al-Shaabi take to the streets.”
Abdullah said anti-government protests are planned to be staged in Baghdad on Friday and this parade is a way for the Iraqi government to show off muscles. These games frustrate some parties.
“KRG asked Kurdish MPs and officials to return until protests end and the capital calms down,” Abdullah added.
Majid Gharawi, a member of the Security and Defense Committee in the Iraqi parliament revealed to the Iraqi media outlets that there is fear from the handover of the security dossier in Baghdad to specific religious militias, stating that this step will lead to internal fightings.
The government parade is in memory of the 58th anniversary of July 14, the day monarchy was toppled in Iraq. For this, the government has taken strict security measures in Baghdad and has declared curfews.
Muqtada al-Sadr, a highly influential Shia cleric has called on his followers to protest in al-Tahrir square in Baghdad on Friday. Following his call, Sadr visited the Karrada explosion site while wearing a military uniform.
On Wednesday, Sadr met the commanders of Saraya al-Salam, the military wing of Sadrists. He then visited al-Tahrir square where the protests are planned to be staged on Friday.
Editing by Ava Homa