Iraqi protesters storm the parliament in Baghdad’s Green Zone | Protests News

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Hundreds of the demonstrators, many of them supporters of Iraqi Shia leader Muqtada al-Sadr, enter heavily-fortified Green Zone in protest at a rival bloc’s nomination for prime minister.

Hundreds of Iraqi protesters, many of them followers of the Iraqi Shia leader Muqtada al-Sadr, have stormed the parliament building in Baghdad.

The protesters, opposed to a rival bloc’s nomination for prime minister, penetrated the capital’s high-security Green Zone, home to government buildings and diplomatic missions on Wednesday.

Prime Minister Mustafa al-Kadhemi called on the protesters to “immediately withdraw” from the Green Zone.

He warned in a statement that security forces would see to “the protection of state institutions and foreign missions, and prevent any harm to security and order”.

Al-Sadr’s bloc won 73 seats in Iraq’s October 2021 election, making it the largest faction in the 329-seat parliament.

But since the vote, talks to form a new government have stalled.

The protesters oppose the candidacy of Mohammed Shia al-Sudani, a former minister and ex-provincial governor, who is the pro-Iran Coordination Framework’s pick for premier.

More to follow.