Prime Minister of Iraq Promises Reforms Following Widespread Protests in Baghdad

Following widespread protests in Baghdad, Haider al-Abadi, the Prime Minister of Iraq, and other political leaders of the country promised on Sunday to implement political reforms. On Saturday, protesters gathered in an unprecedented demonstration in the Green Zone of Baghdad, occupying the parliament building. According to Reuters, the political scene in Iraq has seen a struggle between Haider al-Abadi and political groups attempting to replace party-affiliated individuals with technocrats in the fight against 'government corruption.' However, Iraqi parliament members, who have fundamental disagreements, were unable to grant confidence to Mr. Abadi's proposed ministers. The deep frustration of the Iraqi people in recent months and the government's inability to fulfill its promises eventually led to Muqtada al-Sadr, a powerful Shia cleric, calling on his supporters to gather and protest. Muqtada al-Sadr had previously threatened Haider al-Abadi and the Iraqi parliament that if competent ministers were not appointed to replace current government members, he would ask his supporters to protest. Muqtada al-Sadr opposes the existing quota system in government positions, which opponents believe can lead to corruption. Major parties and powerful groups, worried about losing their influence and wealth in power, have strongly opposed this issue for over a decade. The Prime Minister of Iraq has warned that the current chaos could disrupt the fight against the Islamic State (ISIS), which controls parts of northern and western Iraq. An Iraqi politician told Reuters that on Sunday, Haider al-Abadi held a meeting with the President, the Speaker of the Parliament, and leaders of various parties. Nouri al-Maliki, the former Prime Minister and leader of the Dawa Party, was also present at this meeting, but no representative from Muqtada al-Sadr participated in these discussions. The Iraqi President's office announced hours after this meeting that Iraqi leaders would continue their meetings to 'establish fundamental reforms and a political process.' The statement also mentioned that entering the Green Zone of Baghdad is a violation of the country's credibility and a clear breach of the constitution, which should be legally pursued. According to Reuters, and citing police sources, the explosion of two car bombs on Sunday in the southern city of Samawah left at least 32 dead and 75 injured. The Islamic State claimed responsibility for these bombings. The 'Green Zone,' a 10-kilometer area along the Tigris River in Baghdad, houses government offices and embassies of various countries, and since the occupation of Iraq in 2003, entry into this area has been impossible for many Iraqis. The entry of protesters and the breaking of some barriers and concrete walls surrounding this area is unprecedented in the history of the Green Zone. Hundreds of protesters on Saturday, after entering the Green Zone and the parliament building, danced and celebrated, and many of them remained in the area on Sunday. Despite the reported temperature of 37 degrees Celsius in Baghdad, women and children were also among the protesters, sitting on the grass or in the shade of buildings waiting. The presence of protesters was limited to one section of the Green Zone, and to prevent security threats, militia forces loyal to Muqtada al-Sadr conducted body searches. Riot police have surrounded the area, but according to Reuters, they can only access the area through one entrance. When a Reuters reporter asked the protesters how long they intended to remain in the area, many shouted: 'Until victory, God willing.' One protester, described as 32 years old, expressed shock at the stark contrast between the luxurious living conditions in the Green Zone and the poverty in other areas of Baghdad. He said, 'There is electricity here, the streets are lit, and there is plenty of water. Even the trees and plants here are different from elsewhere. People have the right to enter this area and see the living conditions of politicians.' He added, 'I never thought such a situation existed in Iraq.' A 50-year-old man from Sadr City, who came to the Green Zone, referred to the Iraqi parliament as 'the council of traitors' and stated that he wanted to see the President, the Prime Minister, and the Speaker of the Parliament. He said, 'They have done nothing useful for Iraq; all they do is destroy, create sectarian wars, and cause hunger, and nothing else.' According to Reuters, Iraqi leaders in their meeting called for the protesters to leave the Green Zone and stated that they should leave peacefully or they would be forcibly removed by police intervention. However, the protesters showed no signs of voluntary departure. Ms. Jabra, a leftist activist in the Green Zone, believes that the sit-in will continue until Wednesday, as she expects the Iraqi parliament representatives to return to work.