Iraqi coalition ends sit-in in Baghdad

BAGHDAD (AA) – A coalition of Shia groups close to Iran ended a sit-in in the Iraqi capital on Tuesday, shortly after cleric Muqtada al-Sadr ordered supporters to leave Baghdad’s Green Zone.

In a statement, the Coordination Framework asked protesters to return home, the state news agency INA reported.

"We salute your steadfastness in defense of the state and legitimacy over the past weeks," the statement read.

Earlier Tuesday, al-Sadr called on his loyalists to leave Baghdad’s Green Zone and apologized to the Iraqis after violence in the capital.

“I apologize to the Iraqi people who are greatly affected by what is happening and criticize the revolution of the Sadrist movement and call for withdrawal from the Green Zone,” al-Sadr told a press conference.

Iraqi authorities on Monday declared a nationwide curfew after supporters of al-Sadr stormed the Republican Palace where the government is seated in Baghdad.

The situation escalated shortly after al-Sadr said he was stepping down from politics amid a months-long political crisis in Iraq.

At least 13 protesters were killed on Monday and hundreds injured in Iraq, according to local media.​​​​​​​

Disputes between al-Sadr and the Coordination Framework have prevented the formation of a new government in Iraq since the last elections on Oct. 10, 2021.

*Ikram Imane Kouachi contributed to this report