One day after storming parliament, Iraqi protesters began camping out [7] May 1 within the confines of Baghdad's International Zone, or "Green Zone." The Green Zone, a secured area that includes embassies and government buildings, was breached by protesters mobilized by Shi'ite cleric Moqtada al-Sadr [8]. A state of emergency was declared for the city and Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi demanded arrest [9] of protest leaders. The demonstration was launched to protest alleged corruption within the Iraqi government. Al-Sadr called on the government to speed long-delayed plans for a non-partisan, technocratic [10] cabinet.
There have been reports [11] of demonstrators beginning to leave the Green Zone, after al-Sadr requested the protests break up to maintain security for pilgrims expected to enter the city to visit the shrine of Imam Musa Kadhim [12].
From Jurist [13], May 1. Used with permission.
Note: Moqtada al-Sadr, traditionally a figure associated with Shi'ite sectarianism, has recently started to join anti-sectarian protests [14] for political reform in Iraq. The current wave of protests began [15] with anti-sectarian left-wing forces of Iraq's civil resistance.
