Iraq: Authorities impose curfew from 15:30 in Baghdad amid ongoing protests, Aug. 29 /update 1

Event

Authorities in Baghdad have announced they will impose a curfew across the city from 15:30, Aug. 29. Authorities have yet to reveal further details about the directive and how long it will remain in place. However, the measure enters into force amid reports that supporters of prominent Shi'a cleric Muqtada al-Sadr are attempting to enter the grounds of the Presidential Palace as of Aug. 29. The latest demonstrations appear to have been prompted by al-Sadr's announcement on Aug. 29 that he would permanently withdraw from politics and that he would close all Sadrist offices in the country. Al-Sadr's supporters have been organizing sit-ins in the country's parliament since late July, demanding the dissolution of parliament and new elections.

Iraqi authorities will likely maintain an increased security presence across Baghdad, particularly in the Green Zone, through at least late August. Protesters stormed the parliament building, July 27; further similar actions against government institutions remain possible. Counter-protests by supporters of political parties opposed to al-Sadr also remain likely.

Ground transport and business disruptions remain likely near any protest activity that may erupt. Security forces will likely deploy water cannons, tear gas, and other crowd control measures to disperse protesters. Clashes cannot be ruled, particularly if activists become overly disruptive or refuse to heed security forces' orders.

Context

The initial trigger for the mass mobilization, which began July 27, was the nomination of Mohammad Shia al-Sudani for the position of prime minister. Al-Sudani had been nominated by the Coordination Framework Coalition (CFA), a group that is largely aligned with Iran.

Iraq's political impasse in the parliament will likely continue and the process of forming a government could become protracted. The parliament has yet to form a national majority government even though federal elections were held in October 2021. Despite the Sadrist Movement's winning the highest number of seats in the 329-member parliament, it failed to form a government because of fierce opposition from the Iranian-aligned parties. This failure prompted al-Sadr to call on his bloc to resign in June.

Advice

Abide by the conditions of the curfew. Avoid all protests as a standard precaution and to mitigate likely ground transport disruptions. Heed the instructions of local security personnel. If violence erupts nearby, immediately depart the area and seek shelter in a secure, nongovernmental building. Maintain contact with diplomatic missions.