Protesters then stormed the parliament, according to the Iraqi state news agency (INA). Videos released on social media appeared to show people waving the Iraqi flag going through security through the doors of parliament.
At least 125 people have been injured, including 100 civilians and 25 military personnel, according to the country’s health ministry.
The United Nations Assistance Mission for Iraq (UNAMI) described the recent escalation of tensions as “deeply worrying”.
“Voices of reason and wisdom are critical to preventing further violence. All actors are encouraged to de-escalate in the interest of all Iraqis,” UNAMI said in a tweet.
Outgoing Prime Minister Mustafa Al-Qadimi, who is currently Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces, called for peace and for protesters “not to escalate the situation”.
In a statement on Saturday, he asked protesters to comply with the orders of security forces and stressed that security forces “have a duty to protect official institutions and stressed the need to take all legal measures to maintain order.”
The protests began after Mohammed Siya al-Sudani was officially nominated to lead the country on Monday by the Coordination Group, the largest Shiite alliance in the Iraqi parliament.
His appointment followed the mass resignation of al-Sadr’s parliamentary bloc, a group of more than 70 lawmakers who left the governing body last month in an apparent show of force after months of political deadlock.
Iraq is struggling to form a new government after parliamentary elections in October. Sadr’s own efforts to form a government had previously foundered amid opposition from rival blocs.
“If the Sadrist bloc remains [in parliament] is an obstacle to the formation of a government, then all the deputies of the bloc are honorably ready to resign from parliament,” Sadr said in a televised address in June.
The cleric, who ranks against both Iran and the United States, is extremely popular. His bloc’s success in the October polls threatened to oust Iran-aligned Shiite blocs that have long dominated the oil-rich country’s politics.
On Wednesday, al-Sadr told protesters at the parliament building that their “message” had been received and they should go home.
“A revolution of reform and rejection of injustice and corruption. Your message received. You terrorized the corrupt. Pray and return home safely,” he tweeted.
The outgoing government of Prime Minister al-Qadimi also issued a statement calling on Sadrist protesters to “immediately withdraw from the Green Zone”, preserve public and private property and comply with the instructions of security forces.
“The security forces will be committed to protecting state institutions and international missions and preventing any disruption of security and order,” al-Qadimi added.
Aqeel Najim reported from Baghdad, Hamdi Alkhshali reported from Atlanta and Eyad Kourdi from Gaziantep. Obaida Nafaa in Dubai and Alex Stambaugh in Hong Kong contributed to the report. Ivana Kottasová wrote in London.
