Protest against Iran-backed coalition government in Iraq, protesters entered parliament, making tea, selling cigarettes

Thousands of followers of an influential Shia cleric in Iraq once again entered parliament this week. They are opposing the formation of a coalition government of Iran-backed groups. Meanwhile, strange acts of the protesters are being seen. Hot food and cold drinking water are also being provided to the protesters. Among them, someone is making tea in Parliament and someone is selling cigarettes. Inside the complex, protesters are seen sitting at the desks of MPs and are also making videos of the coup. There are signs of internal division because of the alliance. Meanwhile, there is also a flurry of counter-protests, which is expected to escalate the conflict, while requests are also being made for talks to resolve the matter.

In view of the hundreds of protesters, the police also had to retreat. At the same time, the possible Parliament session could not be organized. Seeing the crowd of protesters, not even any MP reached the Parliament. However, police also fired tear gas to control the protesters, in which 130 people have been injured according to the Iraqi Health Ministry - including 100 protesters and 25 members of security forces. Amid the protests, the speaker of parliament, Mohamed al-Halbousi, has suspended further parliament sessions until further notice.

Why are people on the street in Iraq?

Actually, parliamentary elections were held in Iraq 9 months ago in October 2021 and no government could be formed. The political crisis in the country intensified when supporters of Shia leader Muqtada al-Sadr, who is considered the most powerful leader in the country, took to the streets. Supporters of al-Sadr are protesting against corruption in the country and another candidate for prime minister on Wednesday.

Mohamed Shia al-Sudani, also a former minister and former provincial governor, has been accused by protesters of receiving Iran's support during his prime ministership, while al-Sadr has rejected his candidacy. Al-Sadr, in June, had instructed its parliamentary members to resign in protest of their failure to form a government. After this his supporters came on the road and supported Sadr's candidature and raised slogans.

Why was the government not formed in Iraq after the election?

In the election in October, al-Sadr's party won 74 seats, emerging as the largest party in the 329-member parliament. After this victory, al-Sadr was in the hope that he would form a government of the National Majority. However, in the meantime, he alleged that a political crisis has arisen in the country because of Iran, Iran is supporting Sudanese to form a government in the country. This is the reason why the talk of government formation has not been made and his supporters have come out on the road.