Iraqi security forces initially used tear gas and sound bombs to try to push back the protesters and caused several injuries to Associated Press reporters. The Ministry of Health announced that it has received 60 injured. The expected session of parliament did not take place and there were no lawmakers in the room. Heeding the calls of cleric Muqtada al-Sadr, protesters used ropes to tear down concrete barricades leading to the gate of Baghdad’s high-security Green Zone. The district houses official buildings and foreign embassies in the capital. Supporters of al-Sadr gather inside the Iraqi parliament in Baghdad on Saturday to protest against a rival bloc’s candidacy for prime minister. (Ahmad al-Rubaye/AFP/Getty Images) Protesters then occupied the parliament floor and raised the Iraqi flag and portraits of al-Sadr. It was the second time in three days that the cleric ordered his followers to stage a sit-in in the Green Zone. The protests are a pressure tactic used by the cleric to derail efforts to form a government led by his political opponents in the Coalition Framework, an alliance of Shiite parties backed by Iran. Iraq’s interim prime minister Mustafa al-Qadimi asked security forces to protect protesters and asked them to keep their protest peaceful, according to a statement. Inside the parliament building, the defense of the security forces became less intense and many were seen sitting and talking with the protesters. Protesters flash a victory sign as they gather inside the Iraqi parliament on Saturday. (Ahmad al-Rubaye/AFP/Getty Images) Some protesters started moving from the parliament towards the Judicial Council building. “We came today to remove the corrupt political class and prevent them from holding a parliament session and to prevent the Framework from forming a government,” said Raad Thabet, 41. “We responded to al-Sadr’s call.” Al-Sadr’s party walked out of government formation talks in June, giving its opponents in the Coordination Framework alliance the majority they needed to move forward with the process. Many protesters wore black to mark the days leading up to Ashura, which commemorates the death of Imam Hussein, grandson of the Prophet Muhammad and one of the most important figures in Shiite Islam. Al-Sadr’s message to his followers used the important day in Shiite Islam to spark protests. Protesters tear down concrete barricades leading to the gate of Baghdad’s high-security Green Zone. (Ahmad Al-Rubaye/AFP/Getty Images) Al-Sadr used his large base as leverage against his opponents. On Wednesday, hundreds of his supporters stormed the parliament building after the Framework coalition nominated Mohamed al-Sudani as its prime ministerial candidate and signaled their readiness to form a government despite his threats.
