New York Times: Iraq Protesters Leave Baghdad Green Zone on Cleric’s Order
BAGHDAD — After a day of sleeping, praying and even swimming in the Green Zone, the government citadel historically off limits to ordinary Iraqis, protesters began leaving Sunday evening on orders from the man who had sent them: Moktada al-Sadr, the influential Shiite cleric.
In a statement issued from the holy city of Najaf in southern Iraq, Mr. Sadr directed his followers to leave the Green Zone in an orderly fashion, to chant for Iraq and not a sect, and to help clean the space they had occupied.
A day earlier, hundreds of protesters demanding an end to corruption stormed the fortified Green Zone in dramatic scenes that hinted at revolution. But by Sunday evening the episode had become something less: an affirmation of Mr. Sadr’s sway over the street, but one aimed at pressuring the government to enact promised reforms rather than bringing it down.
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WNU Editor: This is interesting .... a day after telling his followers to leave Baghdad's Green Zone, Moktada al-Sadr flies to Iran .... Iraqi Shiite Cleric Moqtada al-Sadr Makes Unannounced Visit to Iran (WSJ).
More News On Baghdad Protesters Leaving The Green Zone
Tense Calm in Baghdad After Anti-government Protests -- VOA
Protesters pull out of Baghdad's Green Zone but vow to be back -- CNN
Iraq protests disband after ISIS bombings kill at least 52 people -- FOX News/AP
Baghdad tensions ease as demonstrators leave to mark religious mourning ceremony -- RUDAW
Protesters in Iraq’s Green Zone do some sightseeing as they wait for reforms -- Washington Post
Green Zone Breach Exposes Iraq's Growing Political Paralysis -- Bloomberg
Iraq in political limbo after Green Zone storming -- AFP
Moqtada al-Sadr: who is the cleric directing Iraq's protests? -- Simon Tisdall, The Guardian
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