Iraqi officials praise Al-Sadr stances, calls to leave streets

• 

Hadi Al-Amiri, the head of the Al-Fatah Alliance commented on the initiative of the Leader of the Sadrist movement Muqtada Al-Sadr, saying that it was "courageous and worthy of appreciation and praise."

Al-Amiri continued, "Al-Sadr's initiative came at a critical moment in which the enemies are betting on expanding the fighting between brothers."

The head of the Al-Fatah Alliance called on all parties to take steps similar to Al-Sadr's, "to eradicate sedition."

In turn, Iraqi Kurdistan Region President Nechirvan Barzani said in response to Al-Sadr's speech, "We welcome Al-Sadr's stance and his demand to end tensions and withdraw his supporters from the Green Zone, and we support his responsible national stance, hoping that safety and stability prevail in the country."

He added, "We reiterate our call to all forces and parties for dialogue in order to solve problems and save Iraq from this difficult situation."

The leader of the Iraqi Turkmen Front Arshad Al-Salihi praised Al-Sadr's speech, saying that it was "a starting point towards a national dialogue for Iraq," adding, "We hope that an extraordinary session of the House of Representatives will be held to take a decision to dissolve itself soon and that the election law will be changed and amended to ensure the demands of the oppressed people and to hold the corrupt and thieves of public money accountable."

Iraqi Prime Minister Mustafa Al-Kadhimi praised Tuesday Muqtada Al-Sadr's call to stop violence, noting that it represents "the highest levels of patriotism, and keenness to preserve Iraqi blood."

Al-Kadhimi said, in a Tweet, that Al-Sadr's speech gives everyone a "moral and national responsibility to protect Iraq's capabilities, stop the language of political and security escalation, and initiate a quick and fruitful dialogue to resolve the crisis."

دعوة سماحة السيد مقتدى الصدر الى وقف العنف تمثل أعلى مستويات الوطنية والحرص على حفظ الدم العراقي . وكلمة سماحته تحمل الجميع مسؤولية اخلاقية ووطنية بحماية مقدرات العراق والتوقف عن لغة التصعيد السياسي والامني والشروع في الحوار السريع المثمر لحل الازمات.

— Mustafa Al-Kadhimi مصطفى الكاظمي (@MAKadhimi) August 30, 2022

Earlier today, the leader of the Sadrist movement in Iraq, Muqtada Al-Sadr, apologized to the Iraqi people in his first speech since announcing his retirement from political life, and the beginning of the armed clashes that took place in the country and resulted in about 23 deaths and hundreds of injuries. 

The Iraqi leader stressed that "the revolution that was marred by violence is no longer a revolution, and I am now criticizing the revolution of the Sadrist movement," noting that "recent events have made Iraq a prisoner of corruption and violence at the same time."

He also warned that “the party is disciplined and obedient, and I wash my hands of those who do not withdraw from the parliament building within an hour.”

After Al-Sadr's televised speech ended, Al Mayadeen's correspondent said that supporters of the Sadrist movement began to withdraw massively from the Green Zone across the Jumhuriya Bridge, adding that the curfew was lifted in Baghdad and other areas following Al-Sadr's speech.