Iraqi protesters storm prime minister's palace in Baghdad's green zone after Shia leader resigns

Protesters stormed the Iraqi Prime Minister’s residence, the Republican Palace, in Baghdad on Monday, August 29, videos show. The demonstrators were largely supporters of Shia cleric and political leader Muqtada al-Sadr, who announced his resignation from politics on Monday after his party failed to secure majority in parliament following elections in October 2021, reports said. Supporters of al-Sadr previously stormed parliament on July 27, in a protest against the nomination of a prime ministerial candidate Mohammed al-Sudani, who was the official nominee of the Co-ordination Framework bloc, a coalition led by Iran-backed Shia parties and their allies. At least two people were killed during protests on Monday, according to reports. Local news outlet Al Baghdadia TV reported that there were a number of casualties. Local news reports said access to the Green Zone was shut off and a curfew was ordered by the Joint Operations Command, to begin at 3:30 pm local time. The United Nations Assistance Mission for Iraq (UNAMI) issued a statement urging protesters to leave government buildings and the Green Zone, and to remain peaceful. “The very survival of the State is at stake,” UNAMI warned. This footage was streamed via Facebook Live by Ghanem Hussein Hamid, who said it was captured as protesters stormed the Republican Palace in Baghdad on Monday. Protesters clashed with guards at an entrance before ultimately breaching the building, footage shows.