The protesters, who are followers of a powerful Shiite cleric, are demonstrating against the formation of the next government by Iranian-backed parties. Iraqi security forces used tear gas and sound bombs to try to push back the protesters. The expected session of parliament did not take place and there were no MPs in the room. Iraqi Prime Minister Mustafa al-Qadimi asked security forces to protect the protesters and asked them to keep their protest peaceful. Security forces threw tear gas and used sound bombs to disperse the thousands of Iraqi protesters in the heavily fortified government zone of the capital. Protesters used ropes to tear down cement barricades leading to the gate to Iraq’s Green Zone, which houses official buildings and foreign embassies. “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. We will go to the Green (Zone). No matter the cost.” Subscribe to First Edition, our free daily newsletter – every morning at 7am. BST The protesters are supporters of Moqtada al-Sadr, who has called for demonstrations against the formation of the next government by political groups backed by Iran. 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. 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.
