Live: After Moqtada al-Sadr, Coordination Framework Alliance requests protestors to leave Green Zone

Plastic chairs and a water cistern used by supporters of Moqtada al-Sadr are transported away as their encampment in the Green Zone is dismantled 

(Photograph: AFP)

(Photograph: AFP)

Iraq's caretaker Prime Minister Mustafa al-Kadhimi took to twitter after Moqtada Al-Sadr and his legion of supporters cleared Baghdad's Green Zone area. 

"His Eminence Muqtada Al-Sadr’s call to stop violence is the epitome of patriotism and respect to the sanctity of Iraqi blood. His speech emplaces national and moral duty upon all to protect Iraq and stop political escalation and violence and, to immediately engage in dialogue." tweeted Mustafa al-Kadhimi. 

After a tense day of violence, the Coordination Framework Alliance also called upon its supporters to end the protest and leave Baghdad's Green Zone. "Return to your homes safely and be fully prepared to answer the nation's call." said the coalition. 

Earlier, Shi'ite leader Moqtada al-Sadr and his supporters had dispersed after the former gave them 60 minutes to clear the area. 

On Tuesday, after Moqtada Sadr, an influential cleric in Iraq, encouraged his followers to halt a protest after violence left 23 of them dead, they began to leave the Green Zone in Baghdad.

After giving his supporters "60 minutes" to leave the high-security Green Zone, Sadr threatened to "disavow" anyone still present.

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Moqtada Al-Sadr says demonstrators must leave the parliament square and Green Zone within the next hour. Reportedly, the influential Shi'ite leader has  also gone on a hunger strike until violence and the use of weapons ends. 

Supporters of Sadr destroyed the offices of one of their political rivals, Badr organisation in Baghdad. 

Images from the offices show burned cars and smouldering structures, while leaflets with images of Iran’s supreme leader were scattered across the ground. 
 

As clashes between Shi’ite Muslim faction in Baghdad went on for a second day on Tuesday (August 30) armed Iraqi demonstrators supporting Sadr fired rocket-propelled grenades.

A group of armoured vehicles were also attacked by demonstrators by guns and grenades.

Iraqi militants also launched number of missiles into the Green Zone in defence.

Following the prominent cleric’s announcement of leaving politics, Shi’ite parliamentary headquarter was attacked in Baghdad according to eye witness footage. 

The video showed people waving flags and congregate beyond barriers on neighbouring streets, flames and smoke can be rising from the compound. 
 

According to recent count by the medica, the death toll for Iraq clash rises to 23 with nearly 380 people injured.

Iraqi security forces stated four missiles damaged a residential area in Baghdad’s protected Green Zone.

The majority of the residents were absent from the street as the gunmen drove about in pickup trucks and armed with machine guns.

The capital experienced continuous pistol and rocket fire over the course of the night.

Protesters barged in to the buildings. They sat on armchairs in the conference room, waved Iraqi flags, snapped selfies, and some cooled off in the swimming pool in the yard.

Read for more: Sadr’s supporters storm Iraq’s government buildings. Take a look!
 

Supporters of Iraqi Shiite cleric Moqtada Sadr pose for a picture on a road blocked with burning tyres during a demonstration in Iraq's southern city of Basra, AFP reported.

Iraqi protesters take dip in pool after storming presidential palace in Baghdad

The violent protests in Iraq got worse on Monday as the clashes between the country’s forces and Iraqi Shiite cleric Muqtada al-Sadr's followers ended up claiming 15 lives and injuring over a hundred people. 

The protesters were already staging sit-ins in front of the Presidential palace in Baghdad and the news of Al-Sadr quitting politics amidst the ongoing political crisis prompted them to break into the Green Zone. 

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Inside the palace, protesters lounged in armchairs in a meeting room with others waving Iraqi flags and taking photographs of themselves -- while others cooled off in a pool in the garden, an AFP photographer said.

Iraq is in a political deadlock since legislative elections in October last year. It has left the country without a government, president or a prime minister. There is disagreement between several factions over the formation of a coalition.

Iraqi's army has declared a nationwide curfew after supporters of Moqtada Sadr stormed the government building in Baghdad's Green Zone.

The curfew came into effect from 7 pm local time (1600 GMT) on Monday. The protests erupted on the same day as Sadr declared he was withdrawing from politics.

"I've decided not to meddle in political affairs. I, therefore, announce now my definitive retirement," Sadr said in a tweet.

Watch: Curfew imposed after Sadr supporters enter government palace

At least seven shells landed in the Green Zone which houses government buildings and diplomatic missions, reports said.

Caretaker Prime Minister Mustafa al-Kadhemi has said "security or military forces" are prohibited from opening fire on protesters.

The situation in Iraq took a turn for the worse on Monday as at least 15 people were killed and hundreds were injured in clashes between the followers of Shia cleric Moqtada al-Sadr and the military in Baghdad’s Green Zone.  

Read for more: Explainer: How political crisis and Al-Sadr's resignation lead to clashes in Iraq

Influential Iraqi Shi'ite leader Moqtada al-Sadr on Monday took to Twitter to announce his full withdrawal from political life. The move was surprising for many as his protesters have been blocking parliament for weeks now.

Read | Iraqi Shia cleric Moqtada al-Sadr says he's quitting politics in bombshell announcement