Iraqi PM warns as protesters storm government buildings

ERBIL, Kurdistan Region (Kurdistan24) – Some parties have encouraged people to create ‘riots’ in Baghdad while the country is battling against extremist groups, said the Iraqi Prime Minister on Friday.

Iraqi protestors gathered once again in Tahrir Square and stormed the Green Zone area of Baghdad. They broke into the parliament and ministerial council buildings as well as entering the Iraqi Prime Minister’s office.

The Green Zone is a 10-kilometer square area located in Karkh district of Baghdad. Governmental buildings, foreign offices, and embassies are located in the area aiming to provide officials tight security.

The security forces attempted to stop the protestors. Gunfire was reportedly heard near the area and, according to the latest data, four people have been killed, and almost 90 injured.

Following the protest, Iraqi Shia cleric Muqtada al-Sadr, who was supporting the demonstrators, released a statement on Friday, warning the government of Iraq.

He called for the arrested protestors to be freed and condemned the security forces’ attack on the people.

Sadr stated that it is a shame that a government kills its people. “Their [government] future is not far from Muammar Gadhaffi and Saddam Hussein’s future,” Sadr said.

On Saturday, Iraqi PM Haider al-Abadi presented a speech on TV praising the role of Iraqi security forces in their battle against the Islamic State (IS). Abadi also mentioned that some political parties aim to create riots in Baghdad during a time where security forces are combating extremists.

Abadi added that those parties aim to undermine the role of security forces in defeating IS. He said that what the protestors did on Friday is unacceptable and legal measures will be taken against them.

He also informed the people that some groups want to create instability in the country to achieve their personal interests. He indirectly accused Sadr for the protests.

It is not the first time that protestors storm governmental buildings in Baghdad. On April 30, demonstrators broke through the Green Zone belt and entered the parliament building trapping several politicians inside.

Reporting by Mewan Dolamari
Editing by Karzan Sulaivany