International concern mounts over latest developments in Iraq

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: Agencies
30 Aug 13:22

Several countries call on the various parties in Iraq to exercise restraint and return to dialogue while the United Nations urges in a statement to take immediate steps to de-escalate the situation and avoid any violence.

International concern regarding the latest developments in Iraq

The situation in Iraq escalated after the leader of the Sadrist movement, Muqtada Al-Sadr, announced his retirement from political work, followed by protests in Baghdad, which resulted in several deaths and injuries.

Moscow: Everyone in Iraq needs to calm down and resort to dialogue

A source in the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced, on Tuesday, that Moscow is closely following the developments in Iraq, and calls on the conflicting parties to exercise restraint and resort to dialogue.

"We are following how events develop. Of course, everyone needs to calm down and conduct a constructive dialogue," the source told Sputnik.

"Russia does not believe there is any serious danger for Russians in Iraq, but will continue to analyze the situation from the security point of view," the source added.

France: We call for maximum restraint

France expressed its "extreme concern". In a statement, the French MFA said that "France calls on the parties to exercise the utmost restraint, and calls on them to assume responsibility and stop the bloody clashes immediately."

It also called on "all Iraqi political leaders to reaffirm their adherence to the Iraqi constitutional framework and respect the integrity of Iraqi institutions that must operate without hindrance," highlighting "the need for all Iraqi political actors to engage in a true and constructive national dialogue that serves the interests of the Iraqi people to meet their aspirations for peace, stability, and security."

The United States: Now is the time for dialogue to resolve differences

The US Embassy in Baghdad stressed that Iraq's security, stability, and sovereignty should not be jeopardized, noting that "Now is the time for dialogue, not escalated confrontation."

"Reports of unrest throughout Iraq today are disturbing as Iraqi institutions are not being allowed to operate. The United States is concerned about escalating tensions and urges all parties to remain peaceful and refrain from acts that could lead to a cycle of violence. Iraq’s security, stability, and sovereignty should not be put at risk," the embassy said in a statement.

The statement further read that "the right to peaceful public protest is a fundamental element of all democracies, but demonstrators must also respect the institutions and property of the Iraqi government, which belong to and serve the Iraqi people and should be allowed to function."

UN urges steps to de-escalate the situation in Iraq

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres urged to take immediate steps to calm the situation and avoid any violence in Iraq.

"The Secretary-General has been following with concern the ongoing protests in Iraq today, during which demonstrators entered government buildings. He is particularly concerned about reports of casualties," said the spokesperson for the Secretary-General of the United Nations.

The statement noted that the SG "Appeals for calm and restraint and urges all relevant actors to take immediate steps to de-escalate the situation and avoid any violence," adding that "The Secretary-General strongly urges all parties and actors to rise above their differences and to engage, without further delay, in a peaceful and inclusive dialogue on a constructive way forward."

EU calls for 'utmost restraint'

In a brief statement, the European Union mission in Iraq called "on all parties to exercise the utmost restraint."

The Arab League: We are following with concern the developments in Iraq

The official spokesperson for the Secretary-General of the League of Arab States, Jamal Rushdie, said, "The Secretary-General of the Arab League, Ahmed Aboul Gheit, is following with more concern the successive and dangerous developments on the Iraqi arena, and calls on all Iraqi parties to give priority to the national interest over any considerations."

The Secretary-General warned, according to the statement, of the situation's sliding into "more violence, chaos, and bloodshed," stressing "the need for restraint and directing the demonstrators of different groups to stay away from all armed manifestations."

In the same context, the Arab League called on the political parties in Iraq to uphold the national interest, stop the escalation and sit at the dialogue table.

On Monday, August 29, the head of the Sadrist parliamentary bloc in Iraq, Hassan Al-Adhari, announced that Al-Sadr will go on a hunger strike until the violence stops.

Dozens of Al-Sadr's supporters stormed the Green Zone in Baghdad, shortly after he announced his retirement from politics, and the police used water cannons against the demonstrators, where the government building and foreign embassies are located.

The Iraqi authorities imposed a nationwide curfew that began at 19:00 local time (16:00 GMT) on Monday until further notice, the Iraqi Security Forces Joint Command announced.