Skip to main content

Iraqi PM threatens to step down as tensions persist after clashes

Following the bloody clash in Baghdad's Green Zone, Iraqi Prime Minister Mustafa Kadhimi threatened to vacate the position if the conflict continues.
Iraqi army forces deploy to guard the entrance of the high-security Green Zone after the withdrawal of supporters of Shiite Muslim cleric Muqtada al-Sadr from the area, Baghdad, Iraq, Aug. 30, 2022.

In a speech late Tuesday, Iraqi Prime Minister Mustafa al-Kadhimi slammed the militias outside of the state for the bloodshed that occurred Aug. 29, holding them responsible for the massacre that lasted 10 hours and left dozens dead and hundreds wounded.

“The pure Iraqi blood that was spilled yesterday sends a warning to every principled Iraqi: Today we must face the bitter truth and ensure that the state must have a monopoly over the use of arms,” Kadhimi said.

Access the Middle East news and analysis you can trust

Join our community of Middle East readers to experience all of Al-Monitor, including 24/7 news, analyses, memos, reports and newsletters.

Subscribe

Only $100 per year.