MOMENT: Protesters dive into Iraqi presidential pool as Sadr dips out of politics

Record ID: 1686585

  • Title: MOMENT: Protesters dive into Iraqi presidential pool as Sadr dips out of politics
  • Date: 29th August 2022
  • Summary: BAGHDAD, IRAQ (AUGUST 29, 2022) (REUTERS) SUPPORTERS OF IRAQI POPULIST LEADER MOQTADA AL-SADR DIVING INTO THE POOL OF THE REPUBLICAN PALACE IN THE GREEN ZONE VARIOUS OF PROTESTERS SWIMMING IN THE POOL VARIOUS OF PROTESTERS HOLDING UP VICTORY SIGN IN THE POOL PROTESTERS RUNNING NEAR THE POOL
  • Embargoed: 12th September 2022 17:01
  • Keywords: BAGHDAD GREEN ZONE IRAQ POOL PROTEST REPUBLICAN PALACE
  • Location: BAGHDAD, IRAQ
  • City: BAGHDAD, IRAQ
  • Country: Iraq
  • Topics: Middle East,Government/Politics
  • Reuters ID: LVA001129729082022RP1
  • Aspect Ratio: 16:9
  • Story Text: Supporters of Iraq's powerful Shi'ite Muslim cleric Moqtada al-Sadr stormed the Republican Palace in the Green Zone and dove into its swimming pool on Monday (August 29), some holding up the Iraqi flag, others the victory sign.
    Sadr's decision to quit politics over a political deadlock prompted clashes between his supporters and backers of Iran-backed rivals.
    Young men loyal to Sadr who took to the streets in protest at the cleric's move skirmished with supporters of Tehran-backed groups.
    They hurled rocks at each other outside Baghdad's Green Zone, which is home to ministries and embassies.
    Gunfire echoed across central Baghdad, reporters said.
    At least some of the shots appeared to come from guns being fired into the air, although the source of all the gunfire was not immediately clear in a nation awash with arms.
    In addition to two people killed, 19 people were injured, police and medical workers said.
    The clashes took place hours after Sadr announced he was withdrawing from politics, which prompted his supporters, who had been staging a weeks-long sit-in at parliament in the Green Zone, to demonstrate and storm the main cabinet headquarters.
    Iraq's army declared a curfew from 3:30 p.m. (1230 GMT) and urged the protesters to leave the Green Zone.
    (Production: Ahmed Saad, Alaa Marjani, Charlotte Bruneau, Bushra Shakhshir)
  • Copyright Holder: REUTERS
  • Copyright Notice: (c) Copyright Thomson Reuters 2022. Open For Restrictions - http://about.reuters.com/fulllegal.asp
  • Usage Terms/Restrictions: None
Register