US President Barack Obama and Iraqi Prime Minister Haidar Al-Abadi yesterday agreed on the importance of tightening security in Baghdad’s Green Zone, where government institutions and foreign embassies are located, which was recently stormed by protesters.
They also agreed on the “importance of continued dialogue among all parties in Iraq so that the Iraqi people can address their aspirations through their democratic institutions,” the White House said in a statement on Saturday.
Obama praised steps taken by Al-Abadi’s government to finalise an agreement over a loan for Iraq from the International Monetary Fund, saying that “it is important the international community support Iraq’s economic recovery amidst its ongoing fight against ISIL,” the statement said using another acronym for Daesh.
Medical sources yesterday said that at least four anti-government protesters were killed and nine injured on Friday in clashes with security forces in the Green Zone.
Supporters of Shia cleric Muqtada Al-Sadr stormed the area on Friday for the second time in three weeks; some entered the president’s headquarters and parliament for a short period. Security forces responded with gunfire and tear gas.
Following the incident, Iraqi authorities imposed a curfew on Baghdad on Friday and said later that order was restored to the Green Zone after the end of “riots”. The curfew was lifted on Saturday.
A German news agency reported that Iraqi authorities closed the Republic Bridge and roads leading to the Green Zone for security reasons.