Supporters of Muqtada al-Sadr marched to the streets and entered the Presidential Palace in Baghdad.
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| [Sadr supporters protest in front of Iraqi presidential palace] |
Muqtada al-Sadr, the leader of the Sadr Movement in Iraq, made the announcement on social media that he has totally removed himself from political participation. After the declaration was made, supporters of Muqtada al-Sadr marched to the streets and entered the Presidential Palace in Baghdad. 15 people were killed in the violence that erupted after it was reported that a curfew would be imposed in the capital city, which was the location where emotions reached a boiling point. It has been reported that Muqtada Sadr, the leader of the Sadr Group, has begun a hunger strike as a form of protest against the violence. On the other side, Iran closed its land borders with Iraq and isolated itself from the country.
Through his social media account, Muqtada Sadr, the leader of the Sadr Group in Iraq, shared the news that he was retiring from politics.
Sadr stated that he had made the decision to shut down the Tomb of Sadr Group along with all other institutions with the exception of the museum "I hereby announce that all institutions, with the exception of the Holy Tomb, the museum, and the legacy of the illustrious Sadr family, have been shut down. I want to wish you Fatiha and prayers in the event that I pass away or am slain."
Shortly after this decision was made, followers of Muqtada al-Sadr descended upon the streets of Baghdad and stormed the Presidential Palace in the nation's capital city. Those who support Sadr and stormed the Presidential Palace can be seen entering the pool that is located in the yard of the palace in the photographs that have been circulated on social media.
After 1.30 p.m. today, the Iraqi Joint Operations Command has announced that a curfew would go into effect in Baghdad, the capital of Iraq, where tensions have been rising.