SULAIMANI (ESTA) — The White House urged for “dialogue” to cease Iraq’s violent unrest after deadly clashes erupted in Baghdad followed by Muqtada al-Sadr’s retiring announcement from politics, killing almost 23 people on Monday.
Hours after Sadr’s announcement that he had quitted politics, machine-gun fire and explosions rang out, with tracer fire rising into the sky above the Green Zone that houses government headquarters and foreign embassies, in the worst fighting the Iraqi capital has seen in years. A deadly armed clash between pro-Sadr supporters and Iran-backed militia groups including the security forces.
Sadr’s decision of withdrawing from all political activities came in response to the failure of other Shiite leaders and parties to reform a corrupt governing system.
The White House said on Monday that unrest in Iraq after powerful Shiite cleric Moqtada al-Sadr quit politics was “disturbing” and called for “dialogue” to ease the country’s political problems.
Rumors circulated that the U.S. embassy in Baghdad has been evacuated but White House National Security Council spokesperson John Kirby told reporters that Washington sees no need to evacuate staff in its Iraqi embassy at this time.
Since late on Monday the Shiite cleric has gone on hunger strike to stop the violence and clashes in the Iraqi capital, according to the state news agency, But no easing has been observed rather the armed conflicts intensified.
