Sadrist Movement, Coordination Framework Protest on Different Bridges in Baghdad

Sadr supporters on their way to the protest area in the Green Zone (AFP)
Sadr supporters on their way to the protest area in the Green Zone (AFP)
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Sadrist Movement, Coordination Framework Protest on Different Bridges in Baghdad

Sadr supporters on their way to the protest area in the Green Zone (AFP)
Sadr supporters on their way to the protest area in the Green Zone (AFP)

The leader of the Sadrist movement in Iraq, Muqtada al-Sadr, rejected the call for dialogue, describing it as "useless" as long as the Iraqi people have said their say in the elections.

In a televised speech, Sadr noted that "Iraqi blood is dear," stressing "enough blood... the responsibility for its shedding is borne on everyone."

Sadr indicated that he has no interest in dialogue with his rivals, stressing, "Don't believe the rumors that I don't want dialogue."

He explained that he had already tried and experienced a dialogue with them, which only brought ruin and corruption.

Sadr demanded dissolving the parliament and called for early elections, asking his supporters to continue their protests until meeting their demands.

The cleric called for early elections and unspecified constitutional amendments.

In recent leaks, Sadr accused the former prime minister and head of the State of Law coalition, Nuri al-Maliki, without naming him, of trying to kill him.

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Mustafa al-Kadhimi ordered authorities to open the bridge in central Baghdad, usually dedicated to protests of the Shiite Coordination Framework Forces.

Sadr supporters gathered near the Ministry of Defense entrance on the Jumhuriya Bridge to enter and exit the Green Zone.

The Coordination Framework became the largest parliamentary bloc after the withdrawal of the Sadrist representatives and tried to use that for its advantage and form a government chaired by former minister and current lawmaker Mohammed Shia al-Sudani.

Officials of the Coordination Framework tried to move on to the next step of electing a president, but Sadr asked his supporters twice to march in protests, storm the Green Zone, and enter the Iraqi parliament.

The first protest lasted for hours, and Sadr ordered his supporters to withdraw, while the second sit-in came after the Framework forces requested an entire parliamentary session to elect the president ahead of assigning the prime minister.

The Framework was faced with two issues in forming the government. The first is the position of the Sunni Sovereignty Alliance and the Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP), which announced that they would not attend the session unless their demands were met.

The second obstacle was the Sadrist movement's demonstrations and storming into the parliament, which ended any chance of holding a session to elect a new president.

Meanwhile, several politicians began calling for a parliamentary session in another location, regardless of the Sadrist escalation, but Speaker Mohammad al-Halbousi suspended the legislature until further notice.

The Coordination Framework forces wanted to show their strong support and called for a protest on the other side of the area, near the suspended bridge.

Meanwhile, recent leaks indicated that the Sadrist movement and Framework forces are engaged in secret discussions, which was neither confirmed nor denied by either party.

The reports claim that the talks between the two parties are led by Fatah leader Hadi al-Amiri. This confirms that Maliki, who leads the largest bloc within the Framework, has been excluded from the negotiations, given his tense relationship with Sadr.

However, other information claims that the two Shiite parties are holding talks in Tehran with Iranian mediation.

Sadr formed a committee of senior leaders to manage the sit-in in the parliament's vicinity.

Furthermore, experts are discussing the constitutionality of the possible return of Sadr's 73 lawmakers who withdrew from parliament as part of the solution.



Algerian Expulsion of French Officials 'Will Have Consequences', Says French FM 

French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot addresses the media during a meeting of NATO foreign ministers at NATO headquarters in Brussels, Friday, April 4, 2025. (AP)
French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot addresses the media during a meeting of NATO foreign ministers at NATO headquarters in Brussels, Friday, April 4, 2025. (AP)
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Algerian Expulsion of French Officials 'Will Have Consequences', Says French FM 

French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot addresses the media during a meeting of NATO foreign ministers at NATO headquarters in Brussels, Friday, April 4, 2025. (AP)
French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot addresses the media during a meeting of NATO foreign ministers at NATO headquarters in Brussels, Friday, April 4, 2025. (AP)

France's foreign minister on Tuesday slammed Algeria's decision to expel 12 French officials and warned of a riposte, as tensions mounted between Paris and its former North African colony.

Jean-Noel Barrot said the move was "regrettable" and warned it "will not be without consequences", adding that if "Algeria chooses escalation, we will respond with the greatest firmness".

Algeria's foreign ministry said it had declared the 12 persona non grata after the arrest in France of an Algerian consular official, a "vile act" it blamed on French Interior Minister Bruno Retailleau.

For decades, ties between France and Algeria have gone through diplomatic upheavals, and the fresh row comes at a delicate time in relations, underscoring the difficulties in repairing ties.

On Friday, French prosecutors indicted three Algerians, including a consular official, on suspicion of involvement in the 2024 abduction of an opponent of the Algerian government, Amir Boukhors, in a Paris suburb.

The men, who are also being prosecuted for "terrorist" conspiracy, were placed in pre-trial detention.