Supporters of Iraqi cleric Sadr storm Baghdad's Green Zone again
BAGHDAD, (Reuters) - Thousands of supporters of Shi'ite populist cleric Moqtada al-Sadr stormed Baghdad's fortified government zone and broke into parliament yesterday for the second time in a week, leaving at least 125 people injured and escalating a political stand-off.
Protesters rallied by Sadr and his Sadrist Movement tore down concrete barriers and entered the Green Zone, which houses government departments and foreign missions, before breaking into parliament.
"We are calling for a government free from corruption ... and those are the demands of the people," one protester, Abu Foad, said among crowds of protesters carrying placards with Sadr's photograph and national flags.
The scenes followed similar protests on Wednesday, although this time at least 125 people - including demonstrators and police - were wounded, according to a health ministry statement.
Sadr's supporters threw stones and police fired teargas and stun grenades.
"We Iraqis have endured injustices because of those corrupt people," said another protester Alaa Hussain, 49.
"I have two unemployed children who graduated from university and I am unemployed. There are no jobs and that is all because of corruption."
Sadr's party came first in an October election but he withdrew his 74 lawmakers from parliament after failing to form a government which excluded his Shi'ite rivals, most of whom who are backed by Iran and have heavily-armed paramilitary wings.
His withdrawal ceded dozens of seats to the Coalition Framework, an alliance of Shi'ite parties backed by Iran.
Sadr has since made good on threats to stir up popular unrest if parliament tries to approve a government he does not like, saying it must be free of foreign influence.
Sadr's supporters chanted against his rivals who are now trying to form a government. Many protested in front of the country's Supreme Court, which Sadr has accused of meddling to prevent him forming a government.