Supporters of Shiite cleric rally in Baghdad, demand reform

Demonstrators gathered in Tahrir Square in central Baghdad, waving thousands of Iraqi flags and chanting “No, no to corruption”.

Powerful Shiite cleric Moqtada al-Sadr called for a major demonstration to be held in Baghdad’s Tahrir Square to push the government to carry out reform, after a multi-week break in protests during the holy Muslim fasting month of Ramadan.

Sadr called for measures including the dismissal and trial of corrupt officials, an end to sectarian and political party quotas through which positions are shared out, and the formation of a government of technocrats, according to the remarks.

Al-Sadr has organized repeated protests calling for reforms, during which demonstrators have on several occasions breached Baghdad’s Green Zone, a fortified area that is home to key government institutions and foreign embassies.

This follows statements earlier in the week by Prime Minister Hayder Abadi’s office, insisting that the war on terror is an “historic responsibility”, and that protesters should leave them alone to focus on the war.

Sadr visited Tahrir Square briefly on Wednesday wearing military fatigues instead of his usual clerical robe and turban, raising fears of a possible confrontation.

The rally went ahead despite a warning from Iraq’s Joint Operations Command that it would not be tolerated and concerns that divisions within Iraq’s Shiite majority community might undermine the fight against the Sunni extremists of the Islamic State group.

Islamic State has been turning increasingly to suicide bombings, which US and Iraqi officials have touted as proof that battlefield setbacks are weakening the jihadists, though critics say the militants still pose a long-term threat. His supporters pledged to continue the protest, promising it would be peaceful. There were no reports of serious violence several hours into the demonstration, after which people began to withdraw.

Moqtada al-Sadr participated in the protest and chanted slogans, along with the other protestors, before one of his aides read his speech.

Sadr, who rose to prominence when his Mahdi Army battled US troops after the 2003 invasion, briefly ascended the stage in Tahrir (Liberation) Square to address his supporters, many of whom had travelled from outlying provinces. “Yes, yes for reform!”