Iraq closes roads, bridges in Baghdad ahead of parliamentary session

By Haydar Karaalp

BAGHDAD (AA) - The Iraqi government ordered the closure of several main roads and bridges in the capital Baghdad on Tuesday ahead of a session of parliament.

Due to supporters of influential Shia cleric Muqtada al-Sadr taking to the streets ahead of the session, security forces closed all roads and bridges leading to the Green Zone to traffic with tanks.

Parliament will convene Wednesday and evaluate the resignation of the Speaker of the Assembly, Mohammed al-Halbousi, and elect the first deputy speaker.

Al-Halbousi tendered his resignation Monday amid a months-long political crisis in Iraq.

The Coordination Framework, a coalition of groups close to Iran, and most parliamentary blocs will vote against al-Halbousi’s resignation, Fadi al-Shammari, a member of the National Wisdom Movement led by Shia politician Ammar al-Hakim, told Anadolu Agency.

“Wednesday’s session will be a vote of confidence on the parliament speaker,” he added.

Iraq has been locked in a deep political crisis in recent months amid the failure of Shia groups to agree on a new prime minister since the country’s last elections on Oct. 10, 2021.