Following a pronouncement by a religious scholar in Iran drove Iraq to the brink of civil war last week, government officials and Shi'ite insiders believe that the meltdown was halted due to Grand Ayatollah Ali Al-Sistani's stance.

In a country where the power to start and stop wars rests with clerics, the story of Iraq's bloodiest week in nearly three years shows the limits of traditional politics.

The supporters of Moqtada al-Sadr, who is Iraq's most popular politician, took to the streets and blamed Tehran for whipping up the violence.

Driving through Baghdad in pickup trucks brandishing machine guns and bazookas, Sadr's followers tried to storm government buildings.

At least 30 people were killed during a clash between the demonstrators and members of the pro-Iranian militia.

Also see |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/from-sadrist-movement-to-coordination-framework-who-are-iraqs-competing-shiite-groups-502709">From Sadrist movement to Coordination Framework: Who are Iraq’s competing Shi’ite groups</a>

Although Sistani has never held formal political office in Iraq, the most influential scholar in Iraq quelled the unrest.

An Iraqi government official told news agency Reuters that "Sistani sent a message to Sadr, that if he will not stop the violence then Sistani would be forced to release a statement calling for a stopping of fighting – this would have made Sadr look weak, and as if he'd caused bloodshed in Iraq."

Experts believe that Sistani's intervention may have averted wider bloodshed for now. But it does not solve the problem of maintaining calm in a country where power resides outside the political system in the Shi'ite clergy.

Since the US invasion that toppled Saddam Hussein, Sistani has intervened decisively at crucial moments in Iraq's history.

After top-ranking Iraqi-born Shi'ite cleric Ayatollah Kadhim al-Haeri announced he was retiring from public life and shutting down his office due to advanced age, violent protests began across the country.

Sadr's father, who was a revered cleric that was assassinated by Saddam's regime in 1999, had anointed Haeri as Sadr's movement's spiritual advisor.

Calling on his own followers to seek future guidance on religious matters from Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, Haeri denounced Sadr for causing rifts among Shi'ites.

(With inputs from agencies)

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Following a pronouncement by a religious scholar in Iran drove Iraq to the brink of civil war last week, government officials and Shi'ite insiders believe that the meltdown was halted due to Grand Ayatollah Ali Al-Sistani's stance.

Following a pronouncement by a religious scholar in Iran drove Iraq to the brink of civil war last week, government officials and Shi'ite insiders believe that the meltdown was halted due to Grand Ayatollah Ali Al-Sistani's stance. In a country where the power to start and stop wars rests with clerics, the story of Iraq's bloodiest week in nearly three years shows the limits of traditional politics. The supporters of Moqtada al-Sadr, who is Iraq's most popular politician, took to the streets and blamed Tehran for whipping up the violence. Driving through Baghdad in pickup trucks brandishing machine guns and bazookas, Sadr's followers tried to storm government buildings. At least 30 people were killed during a clash between the demonstrators and members of the pro-Iranian militia. Also see | From Sadrist movement to Coordination Framework: Who are Iraq’s competing Shi’ite groups Although Sistani has never held formal political office in Iraq, the most influential scholar in Iraq quelled the unrest. An Iraqi government official told news agency Reuters that "Sistani sent a message to Sadr, that if he will not stop the violence then Sistani would be forced to release a statement calling for a stopping of fighting – this would have made Sadr look weak, and as if he'd caused bloodshed in Iraq." Experts believe that Sistani's intervention may have averted wider bloodshed for now. But it does not solve the problem of maintaining calm in a country where power resides outside the political system in the Shi'ite clergy. Since the US invasion that toppled Saddam Hussein, Sistani has intervened decisively at crucial moments in Iraq's history. After top-ranking Iraqi-born Shi'ite cleric Ayatollah Kadhim al-Haeri announced he was retiring from public life and shutting down his office due to advanced age, violent protests began across the country. Sadr's father, who was a revered cleric that was assassinated by Saddam's regime in 1999, had anointed Haeri as Sadr's movement's spiritual advisor. Calling on his own followers to seek future guidance on religious matters from Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, Haeri denounced Sadr for causing rifts among Shi'ites. (With inputs from agencies) Watch WION's live TV here: ×

How Grand Ayatollah Ali Al-Sistani halted a meltdown in Iraq

The historic meeting of Pope Francis and Grand Ayatollah Ali Sistani, one of Shiite Islam's top clerics, was well received across Iranian media.

The meeting became front-page news in Iran Sunday, with some media declaring it a chance for peace in the neighbouring country.

The pontiff's historic visit to Iraq that began on Friday. Tehran, with its allies within Baghdad's state-sponsored Hashed al-Shaabi paramilitary force, helped Iraqi troops defeat the Sunni jihadist Islamic State (IS) group at the end of 2017.

Iran's reformist Sazandegi daily said the two religious leaders are now "the standard-bearers of world peace" and called their meetings "the most effective event (in the history of) dialogue between religions".

Another reformist daily, Shargh, said it was "a symbolic spectacle showing the importance of cooperation between followers of different religions".

"Victory for Shiism and Christianity," wrote the government-run Iran daily in a front-page column, saying that the pope's visit showed that "Christianity is alive in Iraq" despite the "suffering" caused by the IS.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/pope-francis-prays-for-victims-of-war-in-mosul-a-former-islamic-state-stronghold-in-iraq-368586">Also read |&nbsp;Pope Francis prays for 'victims of war' in Mosul, a former Islamic State stronghold in Iraq</a>

Iran's conservative dailies noted that the return of security to Iraq was the result of efforts by "resistance" forces, recalling Sistani's call in 2014 for Iraqis to take up arms against the jihadists.

"Pope Francis and many western countries must be aware that this freedom (to travel to Iraq) owes much to the blood of the courageous youth of the resistance axis and the wisdom of the Shiite authority," said the ultraconservative Resalat.

It added that the meeting could be "a valuable opportunity for peace and to alleviate the suffering of the Iraqi people, especially the Christians affected by the Islamic State's invasion".

Another ultraconservative publication, Kayhan, said that "the security of Iraqi Christians" and Muslims was made possible through the "sacrifice" of "young Iraqis" commanded by Iran's General Qasem Soleimani and Hashed deputy Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis, who were killed in a US drone strike in Baghdad in January 2020.

(with inputs from AFP)

The historic meeting of Pope Francis and Grand Ayatollah Ali Sistani, one of Shiite Islam's top clerics, was well received across Iranian media. The meeting became front-page news in Iran Sunday, with some media declaring it a chance for peace in the neighbouring country.

The historic meeting of Pope Francis and Grand Ayatollah Ali Sistani, one of Shiite Islam's top clerics, was well received across Iranian media. The meeting became front-page news in Iran Sunday, with some media declaring it a chance for peace in the neighbouring country. The pontiff's historic visit to Iraq that began on Friday. Tehran, with its allies within Baghdad's state-sponsored Hashed al-Shaabi paramilitary force, helped Iraqi troops defeat the Sunni jihadist Islamic State (IS) group at the end of 2017. Iran's reformist Sazandegi daily said the two religious leaders are now "the standard-bearers of world peace" and called their meetings "the most effective event (in the history of) dialogue between religions". Another reformist daily, Shargh, said it was "a symbolic spectacle showing the importance of cooperation between followers of different religions". "Victory for Shiism and Christianity," wrote the government-run Iran daily in a front-page column, saying that the pope's visit showed that "Christianity is alive in Iraq" despite the "suffering" caused by the IS. Also read | Pope Francis prays for 'victims of war' in Mosul, a former Islamic State stronghold in Iraq Iran's conservative dailies noted that the return of security to Iraq was the result of efforts by "resistance" forces, recalling Sistani's call in 2014 for Iraqis to take up arms against the jihadists. "Pope Francis and many western countries must be aware that this freedom (to travel to Iraq) owes much to the blood of the courageous youth of the resistance axis and the wisdom of the Shiite authority," said the ultraconservative Resalat. It added that the meeting could be "a valuable opportunity for peace and to alleviate the suffering of the Iraqi people, especially the Christians affected by the Islamic State's invasion". Another ultraconservative publication, Kayhan, said that "the security of Iraqi Christians" and Muslims was made possible through the "sacrifice" of "young Iraqis" commanded by Iran's General Qasem Soleimani and Hashed deputy Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis, who were killed in a US drone strike in Baghdad in January 2020. (with inputs from AFP)

Iranian media hails Pope-Sistani meeting as chance for peace

In a landmark moment in modern religious history, Pope Francis met top Shiite cleric Grand Ayatollah Ali Sistani in Iraq on Saturday. The two leaders met at the latter's home in the shrine city of Najaf. The meeting came on the second day of first-ever papal visit to Iraq.

When Pope Francis landed at the Najaf airport, posters had been set up featuring a famous saying by Ali, the fourth caliph and the Prophet Mohammed's relative, who is buried in the holy city.&nbsp;

"People are of two kinds, either your brothers in faith or your equals in humanity," read the banners. &nbsp;

A convoy of cars took the Pope into the Old City. Extremely tight security measures were in place.

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No press were allowed inside the meeting as the 90-year-old grand ayatollah is highly reclusive and almost never seen in public.

The visit is one of the highlights of Francis's four-day trip to war-scarred Iraq, where Sistani has played a key role in tamping down tensions in recent decades.&nbsp;

It took months of careful negotiations between Najaf and the Vatican to secure the one-on-one meeting.

"We feel proud of what this visit represents and we thank those who made it possible," said Mohamed Ali Bahr al-Ulum, a senior cleric in Najaf.

'High moral authority'

Pope Francis, a strong proponent of interfaith efforts, has met top Sunni clerics in several Muslim-majority countries, including Bangladesh, Morocco, Turkey and the United Arab Emirates.&nbsp;

Sistani, meanwhile, is followed by most of the world's 200 million Shiites -- a minority among Muslims but the majority in Iraq -- and is a national figure for Iraqis.

"Ali Sistani is a religious leader with a high moral authority," said Cardinal Miguel Angel Ayuso Guixot, the head of the Pontifical Council for Interreligious Dialogue and a specialist in Islamic studies.

Sistani began his religious studies at the age of five, climbing through the ranks of Shiite clergy to grand ayatollah in the 1990s.

While Saddam Hussein was in power, he languished under house arrest for years, but emerged after the US-led invasion toppled the repressive regime in 2003 to play an unprecedented public role.&nbsp;

In 2019, he stood with Iraqi protesters demanding better public services and rejecting external interference in Iraq's domestic affairs.&nbsp;

(With AFP inputs)

In a landmark moment in modern religious history, Pope Francis met top Shiite cleric Grand Ayatollah Ali Sistani in Iraq on Saturday. The two leaders met at the latter's home in the shrine city of Najaf.

In a landmark moment in modern religious history, Pope Francis met top Shiite cleric Grand Ayatollah Ali Sistani in Iraq on Saturday. The two leaders met at the latter's home in the shrine city of Najaf. The meeting came on the second day of first-ever papal visit to Iraq. When Pope Francis landed at the Najaf airport, posters had been set up featuring a famous saying by Ali, the fourth caliph and the Prophet Mohammed's relative, who is buried in the holy city. "People are of two kinds, either your brothers in faith or your equals in humanity," read the banners. A convoy of cars took the Pope into the Old City. Extremely tight security measures were in place. × No press were allowed inside the meeting as the 90-year-old grand ayatollah is highly reclusive and almost never seen in public. The visit is one of the highlights of Francis's four-day trip to war-scarred Iraq, where Sistani has played a key role in tamping down tensions in recent decades. It took months of careful negotiations between Najaf and the Vatican to secure the one-on-one meeting. "We feel proud of what this visit represents and we thank those who made it possible," said Mohamed Ali Bahr al-Ulum, a senior cleric in Najaf. 'High moral authority' Pope Francis, a strong proponent of interfaith efforts, has met top Sunni clerics in several Muslim-majority countries, including Bangladesh, Morocco, Turkey and the United Arab Emirates. Sistani, meanwhile, is followed by most of the world's 200 million Shiites -- a minority among Muslims but the majority in Iraq -- and is a national figure for Iraqis. "Ali Sistani is a religious leader with a high moral authority," said Cardinal Miguel Angel Ayuso Guixot, the head of the Pontifical Council for Interreligious Dialogue and a specialist in Islamic studies. Sistani began his religious studies at the age of five, climbing through the ranks of Shiite clergy to grand ayatollah in the 1990s. While Saddam Hussein was in power, he languished under house arrest for years, but emerged after the US-led invasion toppled the repressive regime in 2003 to play an unprecedented public role. In 2019, he stood with Iraqi protesters demanding better public services and rejecting external interference in Iraq's domestic affairs. (With AFP inputs)

Historic moment: Pope Francis meets top Shiite religious leader Grand Ayatollah Ali Sistani in Iraq

A protester struck in the face by a tear gas canister died in Baghdad on Friday as Iraqi security forces sought to repel demonstrators protesting at corruption and economic hardship, police and medical sources said.

A protester struck in the face by a tear gas canister died in Baghdad on Friday as Iraqi security forces sought to repel demonstrators protesting at corruption and economic hardship, police and medical sources said. The authorities have struggled to address protesters' grievances since sometimes violent unrest erupted in Baghdad on October 1, spreading to southern cities. Demonstrators blame corrupt officials and political elites for failing to improve their lives. At least one protester has died and more than 200 were wounded in the latest disturbances. The unrest has posed the biggest challenge to Prime Minister Adel Abdul Mahdi since he took office just one year ago. Despite promising reforms and a broad cabinet reshuffle, the premier has so far struggled to address protesters' roiling discontent. Despite the OPEC member country's vast oil wealth, many Iraqis live in poverty, have limited access to clean water, electricity, basic healthcare or decent education as the country tries to recover from years of conflict and economic hardship. In an address late on Thursday night, Abdul Mahdi warned that any collapse of government would drag Iraq into further turmoil. How the government and security forces will handle protests planned for Friday is a litmus test for the stability of the country with political leaders already on edge. Politicians and parties planned to have a stronger presence on Friday, but their interference continued to be roundly rejected by protesters. "Our demands are the resignation of the entire government, the dissolution of all political parties, a good life. We came here in a peaceful protest for this," said Mahmoud al-Shummari, 51, one of thousands who gathered in Baghdad's Tahrir Square. Hundreds of people, some of whom had camped overnight in the square, made attempts throughout the morning to march towards the city's fortified Green Zone, which houses government buildings and foreign embassies, when they were stopped by security forces. Top cleric urges calm The country's top cleric, Grand Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani, who in recent weeks has criticised the government's handling of the protests, urged calm on all sides during his sermon on Friday. Protesters in Baghdad however were nervous about a repeat of violent confrontations which engulfed the capital and southern provinces just two weeks ago, leaving 149 protesters dead and more than 6,000 wounded. "We got to the Green Zone early this morning," said 28-year-old protester Hussein al-Ojaili. "But we were worried about going past the Iranian embassy because someone said they have snipers." Ojaili said riot forces used stun grenades and fired tear gas and rubber bullets directly at the crowd marching towards the green zone. One protester was killed after he was struck in the face with a tear gas canister, police and medical sources told Reuters. The violence further enflamed protesters, who blame a political elite they view as endemically corrupt for failing to improve their lives. "All we want are four things: jobs; water, electricity, and safety. That's all we want," said 16-year-old Ali Mohammed who had covered his face with a tee-shirt to avoid inhaling tear gas. Mohammed had covered his face with a tee-shirt to avoid inhaling tear gas, as scenes of chaos overwhelmed Tahrir Square. Sirens wailed and tear gas canisters landed in the middle of groups of young protesters who wore Iraqi flags and chanted "with life and blood we defend you Iraq." Tuk-tuks carried injured protesters to nearby hospitals for treatment. Medical sources told Reuters at least 227 people had been treated for injuries, most related to tear gas exposure. A damning report released this week by a government committee set up by Abdul Mahdi concluded the 149 civilians were killed because security forces used excessive force and live fire to quell the protests.

Iraq protesters march towards Baghdad's Green Zone, one killed

The death toll from days of violent demonstrations across <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/iraqi-forces-fire-at-protesters-in-baghdad-after-pm-pledges-vague-reform-253693">Iraq </a>surged to 46 on Friday, most of them killed in the last 24 hours, as unrest rapidly accelerated and the country's most powerful cleric placed the blame squarely on politicians.

In a rare intervention, Grand Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani, whose word is law for most of Iraq's majority Shi'ites, called on protesters and the security forces to avoid violence. But he also ordered political factions to respond to protest demands.

"It is sorrowful that there have been so many deaths, casualties and destruction," Sistani said in a letter read out by his representative Ahmed al-Safi during a sermon in the holy city of Kerbala.

"The government and political sides have not answered the demands of the people to fight corruption or achieved anything on the ground," he said. "Parliament holds the biggest responsibility for what is happening."

In an overnight TV address, Prime Minister Adel Abdul Mahdi said he understood the frustration of the public but there was no "magic solution" to Iraq's problems. He pledged reforms, though these have so far drawn scorn from demonstrators.

The violent demonstrations have escalated by the day since they first erupted on Tuesday, sweeping across the country spontaneously, without public backing from any organized political group and taking the authorities by surprise.

Security forces have fired live ammunition at crowds of mainly young men, and gunmen have fired back. Hundreds of people have been wounded, including members of the security forces as well as demonstrators.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/iraqi-police-fire-live-rounds-as-protesters-defy-curfew-253498/amp">Police </a>and medical sources said the death toll included 18 people killed in the southern city of Nassiriya, 16 in the capital Baghdad, four in the southern city of Amara and four in Baquba, to the capital's north. Other deaths were reported in two other southern cities, Hilla and Najaf.

Curfews were imposed in a number of cities. Authorities shut roads into the capital from the north and northeast and were sending reinforcements to Baghdad's densely-populated east. Military convoys were being sent to Nassiriya, the city worst hit by the violence.

Protesters in Baghdad gathered in darkness overnight by a bonfire set among the flaming wreckage of an armoured vehicle, across the Tigris River from the government compound.

"They are shooting live fire at the Iraqi people and the revolutionaries. We can cross the bridge and take them out of the Green Zone!" a man shouted to Reuters TV.

"Abdul Mahdi, they will cross the bridge. You better resign. Resign. The people demand the fall of the regime!" he shouted as the crowd behind him took up a chant that swept the Middle East during popular uprisings across the region in 2011: "The people demand the fall of the regime!"

'Rage'

The unrest, fuelled by popular rage over poor living standards and corruption, is Iraq's biggest security challenge since the defeat of Islamic State in 2017. It is also the first test for Abdul Mahdi, installed last year by Shi'ite parties that have dominated Iraq since the 2003 fall of Saddam Hussein.

It also comes on the eve of the Arbaeen Shi'ite pilgrimage, which in recent years has drawn 20 million worshippers, trekking for days on foot across southern Iraq in the world's biggest annual gathering, ten times the size of the Mecca Hajj.

Pilgrims were already taking to the roads on Friday, although in what appeared to be smaller numbers than in recent years. Iran has closed one of the border crossings used by millions of pilgrims. Qatar has told its citizens to stay away.

A senior Iranian cleric blamed the unrest on the United States and Israel, saying they aimed to thwart the pilgrimage.

The Iraqi capital was quieter early on Friday ahead of Muslim prayers, although police fired live ammunition again in the morning to disperse small crowds. An ongoing curfew, defied by thousands of demonstrators on Thursday, saw the army and special forces deploy around central squares and streets.

Iraqis expect large protests to erupt later in the day.

Abdul Mahdi acknowledged the public discontent in his overnight television message, insisting politicians were aware of the suffering of the masses: "We do not live in ivory towers - we walk among you in the streets of Baghdad," he said.

He called for calm and for support from lawmakers to reshuffle cabinet posts away from the influence of big parties and groups. He said a basic wage for poor families would be discussed by the government, but that no "magic solutions" had been available to fix the country.

The protests could grow if they receive formal backing from the opposition political bloc of firebrand cleric Moqtada al-Sadr, who has long denounced corruption and the political elite.

'Revolution of Hunger'

"We Sadrists support the protests by all means, but we would wait for orders from our leader Sayyed Moqtada before we would take to the streets," a senior Sadrist politician, Awad Awadi, told Reuters. He called the protests "a revolution of hunger."

Ahmed al-Kinani, a lawmaker from a party linked to a powerful Iran-backed militia, said most of the protesters were simply demanding their rights, but a minority were using the demonstrations to target the security forces. His party was willing to do what it takes to calm the situation, including accepting a reshuffling of cabinet ministries.

Two years after the defeat of the Islamic State Sunni militant movement, Iraq has finally been at peace and free to trade for the first extended period since the 1970s, with oil exports at record levels. But Iraqis say they have seen few benefits, with infrastructure still in ruins and jobs scarce.

The death toll from days of violent demonstrations across Iraq surged to 46 on Friday, most of them killed in the last 24 hours, as unrest rapidly accelerated and the country's most powerful cleric placed the blame squarely on politicians.

The death toll from days of violent demonstrations across Iraq surged to 46 on Friday, most of them killed in the last 24 hours, as unrest rapidly accelerated and the country's most powerful cleric placed the blame squarely on politicians. In a rare intervention, Grand Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani, whose word is law for most of Iraq's majority Shi'ites, called on protesters and the security forces to avoid violence. But he also ordered political factions to respond to protest demands. "It is sorrowful that there have been so many deaths, casualties and destruction," Sistani said in a letter read out by his representative Ahmed al-Safi during a sermon in the holy city of Kerbala. "The government and political sides have not answered the demands of the people to fight corruption or achieved anything on the ground," he said. "Parliament holds the biggest responsibility for what is happening." In an overnight TV address, Prime Minister Adel Abdul Mahdi said he understood the frustration of the public but there was no "magic solution" to Iraq's problems. He pledged reforms, though these have so far drawn scorn from demonstrators. The violent demonstrations have escalated by the day since they first erupted on Tuesday, sweeping across the country spontaneously, without public backing from any organized political group and taking the authorities by surprise. Security forces have fired live ammunition at crowds of mainly young men, and gunmen have fired back. Hundreds of people have been wounded, including members of the security forces as well as demonstrators. Police and medical sources said the death toll included 18 people killed in the southern city of Nassiriya, 16 in the capital Baghdad, four in the southern city of Amara and four in Baquba, to the capital's north. Other deaths were reported in two other southern cities, Hilla and Najaf. Curfews were imposed in a number of cities. Authorities shut roads into the capital from the north and northeast and were sending reinforcements to Baghdad's densely-populated east. Military convoys were being sent to Nassiriya, the city worst hit by the violence. Protesters in Baghdad gathered in darkness overnight by a bonfire set among the flaming wreckage of an armoured vehicle, across the Tigris River from the government compound. "They are shooting live fire at the Iraqi people and the revolutionaries. We can cross the bridge and take them out of the Green Zone!" a man shouted to Reuters TV. "Abdul Mahdi, they will cross the bridge. You better resign. Resign. The people demand the fall of the regime!" he shouted as the crowd behind him took up a chant that swept the Middle East during popular uprisings across the region in 2011: "The people demand the fall of the regime!" 'Rage' The unrest, fuelled by popular rage over poor living standards and corruption, is Iraq's biggest security challenge since the defeat of Islamic State in 2017. It is also the first test for Abdul Mahdi, installed last year by Shi'ite parties that have dominated Iraq since the 2003 fall of Saddam Hussein. It also comes on the eve of the Arbaeen Shi'ite pilgrimage, which in recent years has drawn 20 million worshippers, trekking for days on foot across southern Iraq in the world's biggest annual gathering, ten times the size of the Mecca Hajj. Pilgrims were already taking to the roads on Friday, although in what appeared to be smaller numbers than in recent years. Iran has closed one of the border crossings used by millions of pilgrims. Qatar has told its citizens to stay away. A senior Iranian cleric blamed the unrest on the United States and Israel, saying they aimed to thwart the pilgrimage. The Iraqi capital was quieter early on Friday ahead of Muslim prayers, although police fired live ammunition again in the morning to disperse small crowds. An ongoing curfew, defied by thousands of demonstrators on Thursday, saw the army and special forces deploy around central squares and streets. Iraqis expect large protests to erupt later in the day. Abdul Mahdi acknowledged the public discontent in his overnight television message, insisting politicians were aware of the suffering of the masses: "We do not live in ivory towers - we walk among you in the streets of Baghdad," he said. He called for calm and for support from lawmakers to reshuffle cabinet posts away from the influence of big parties and groups. He said a basic wage for poor families would be discussed by the government, but that no "magic solutions" had been available to fix the country. The protests could grow if they receive formal backing from the opposition political bloc of firebrand cleric Moqtada al-Sadr, who has long denounced corruption and the political elite. 'Revolution of Hunger' "We Sadrists support the protests by all means, but we would wait for orders from our leader Sayyed Moqtada before we would take to the streets," a senior Sadrist politician, Awad Awadi, told Reuters. He called the protests "a revolution of hunger." Ahmed al-Kinani, a lawmaker from a party linked to a powerful Iran-backed militia, said most of the protesters were simply demanding their rights, but a minority were using the demonstrations to target the security forces. His party was willing to do what it takes to calm the situation, including accepting a reshuffling of cabinet ministries. Two years after the defeat of the Islamic State Sunni militant movement, Iraq has finally been at peace and free to trade for the first extended period since the 1970s, with oil exports at record levels. But Iraqis say they have seen few benefits, with infrastructure still in ruins and jobs scarce.

Death toll surges to 46 as Iraq unrest accelerates; no 'magic solution' says PM