Two supporters of Muqtada al-Sadr have been killed in the Green Zone of Baghdad, and 22 others were injured, according to medical sources cited by Agence France-Presse. Chaos ensued following the announcement by the leader of the Sadrist movement regarding his definitive withdrawal from political work. The Iraqi military leadership issued a nationwide curfew, while the United Nations mission in Iraq called for restraint in a country that seems to be entering a new phase of political deadlock stemming from the legislative elections of October 2021.
On Monday, Iraqi security forces imposed a curfew across Iraq due to escalating protests in Baghdad and the south. The Security Media Cell issued a brief statement declaring, "The Joint Operations Command announces a complete curfew in all provinces of Iraq." It added, "The curfew begins at seven PM this Monday and will continue until further notice." An Iraqi security source reported that Iraqi forces declared a state of maximum alert in the capital Baghdad and suspended the leave of their personnel in light of the massive protests taking place in the city. This happened after a number of protesters from the Sadrist movement stormed the Republican Palace in the Green Zone in downtown Baghdad earlier today, while the Joint Operations Command in Iraq announced a complete curfew in Baghdad.
