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.



Sistani Warns Against Targeting Khamenei, Sadr Calls for Mass Protests

A man rides a motorcycle past a billboard depicting Iraq's top Shiite cleric, Ali al-Sistani, along a street in Baghdad on June 19, 2025. (Photo by AHMAD AL-RUBAYE / AFP)
A man rides a motorcycle past a billboard depicting Iraq's top Shiite cleric, Ali al-Sistani, along a street in Baghdad on June 19, 2025. (Photo by AHMAD AL-RUBAYE / AFP)
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Sistani Warns Against Targeting Khamenei, Sadr Calls for Mass Protests

A man rides a motorcycle past a billboard depicting Iraq's top Shiite cleric, Ali al-Sistani, along a street in Baghdad on June 19, 2025. (Photo by AHMAD AL-RUBAYE / AFP)
A man rides a motorcycle past a billboard depicting Iraq's top Shiite cleric, Ali al-Sistani, along a street in Baghdad on June 19, 2025. (Photo by AHMAD AL-RUBAYE / AFP)

As Iraq’s judiciary vowed legal action against anyone seeking to destabilize the country, major Iranian-backed Iraqi militias declared their readiness to take up arms should US President Donald Trump follow through on his repeated threats to target Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ali Khamenei.

Leaders of the prominent militias, including Harakat al-Nujaba and Kata'ib Hezbollah, issued warnings of retaliatory attacks against US interests in Iraq in response to escalating tensions.

Their threats came shortly after Iraq’s top Shiite cleric, Ali al-Sistani, cautioned against any attempts to strike Khamenei.

In a move seen as a preemptive effort to safeguard national stability, Iraq’s Supreme Judicial Council head, Judge Faiq Zidan, convened with security and media officials to discuss ways to strengthen the country’s internal cohesion.

This followed a meeting between Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani and Zidan aimed at addressing growing concerns over potential internal unrest.

Zidan stressed the priority of Iraq’s security and sovereignty during a high-level meeting, warning that anyone attempting to undermine these national interests would face severe legal consequences, according to a statement from the judiciary.

Zidan said: “Iraq’s security and sovereignty are a priority for society, and any attack on these will result in accountability for those trying to harm these national entitlements.”

He added that “propaganda suggesting internal unrest or destabilization will lead to deterrent legal penalties,” underscoring the need for national unity in the wake of the recent Israeli aggression in the region.

Separately, Sistani warned against any attempt to target Khamenei amid repeated US and Israeli threats.

In a statement from his office on Thursday, Sistani called on the international community and world nations to intervene to halt the escalation and find a peaceful resolution to the Iranian nuclear issue.

He condemned ongoing military aggression against Iran and any threats aimed at its highest religious and political leadership. “Such criminal actions, which violate religious and ethical standards as well as international laws and norms, risk severe consequences for the entire region,” Sistani said.

“It could lead to widespread chaos, exacerbating the suffering of peoples and harming the interests of all parties involved to an extreme degree.”

Following calls from the Shiite Coordination Framework for supporters to rally in solidarity with Iran, influential cleric and leader of the Sadrist Movement, Muqtada al-Sadr, urged peaceful, organized demonstrations after next Friday’s prayers.

Al-Sadr condemned what he described as “Zionist and American terrorism, colonial expansion, and hostility toward peoples and religions,” calling on Iraqis to unite in protest against these threats.

In a recent social media post, al-Sadr urged Iraqis to take part in “peaceful, organized protests” after Friday prayers next week, calling for demonstrations to be held simultaneously in every provincial capital.

Al-Sadr said the protests were motivated by “religious, ideological, and humanitarian concerns.”

He denounced what he described as massacres and aggression against Arab and Muslim countries, citing recent attacks on neighboring Iran, Palestine, Lebanon, Syria, and Yemen, which he called “the main drivers of wars worldwide.”

Meanwhile, the Shiite Coordination Framework - a coalition of major Shiite parties excluding the Sadrist Movement, including the State of Law, Al-Fatah, Asaib Ahl al-Haq, Al-Nasr, and Al-Hikma blocs - failed to mobilize significant support in their recent call for rallies.

Only dozens reportedly attended those demonstrations, while all signs point to much larger turnouts for the Sadrist protests this coming Friday.

Observers note the protests reflect deep political and sectarian divides in Iraq, with the Sadrist base, which has largely boycotted parliamentary elections, holding significant influence despite lacking parliamentary majorities held by the Coordination Framework parties.