Thousands of followers of an influential Shiite cleric storm Iraq's parliament for the second time this week, protesting government formation efforts led by his rivals, an alliance of Iran-backed groups.
Thousands of followers of an influential Shiite cleric have stormed Iraq's parliament for the second time this week, protesting efforts to form government led by his rivals, an alliance of Iran-backed groups.An expected parliament session did not take place and no politicians were present in the buildingThe Ministry of Health says about 125 people were injured in the violence
Once inside, the protesters declared an open-ended sit-in and claimed they would not disperse until their demands were answered. The development showed Mr al-Sadr was using his large grassroots following as a pressure tactic against his rivals, after his party was not able to form a government despite having won the largest number of seats in the federal elections held last October.
Now, 10 months after the last elections, the political vacuum is shaping up to be the longest since the US-led 2003 invasion to oust Iraqi dictator Saddam Hussein had reset the country's political order.
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