Al-Sadr criticizes the protests and gives his supporters 60 minutes to withdraw completely

The leader of the Sadrist movement, Muqtada Al-Sadr, said on Tuesday that he disowns members of the Sadrist movement if they do not withdraw from the street within 60 minutes.

During a press conference, Sadr said that the Iraqi people are “affected by what is happening” in Iraq, adding: “I was hoping the protests would be peaceful and patriotic.”

He added: “The revolution that is marred by violence and killing is not a revolution,” he said, adding that he is critical of the Sadrist movement.

He continued: “My homeland, once a prisoner of corruption, is now a prisoner of corruption and violence.”

Al-Sadr saluted the security forces, the Popular Mobilization Forces and the commander of the armed forces for their honorable positions.

Regarding his decision to suspend political activities on Monday, Al-Sadr said that the decision is “final and legitimate.”

Al-Sadr’s supporters started to withdraw from the Green Zone after Muqtada al-Sadr’s speech.

Iraqi Prime Minister Mustafa al-Kadhimi commented on al-Sadr’s speech: “Al-Sadr’s call represents the highest level of patriotism and keenness to preserve Iraqi blood.”

The sirens in the Green Zone following intermittent shooting and clashes since Tuesday morning.

The damage was caused by shells that fell on the Green Zone. The shells originated from the Al-Habiba and Al-Baladiyat areas in eastern Baghdad.

Our correspondent also reported that four rockets hit the Green Zone in Baghdad and that the Iraqi forces’ Camp Ashraf in the same area was targeted by rocket-propelled grenades.

On Tuesday morning, medical sources reported that the death toll from the clashes in Baghdad has risen to 23 dead and more than 500 injured.

The Iraqi News Agency reported that the Joint Operations Command decided to lift the curfew imposed across the country on Tuesday after Sadr called on his supporters to withdraw from the streets.