Iraq Witnesses Worst Violence In Years As Shia Cleric Steps Down—Here’s What You Need To Know

Topline

At least 23 people were killed in Baghdad and the city’s heavily secured Green Zone—which houses key government buildings and foreign embassies—was struck by rocket fire on Tuesday as Iraq faces some of the worst violence it has seen in several years after influential Shia cleric Muqtada al-Sadr announced his retirement from politics.

Key Facts

Key Background

The political situation in Iraq has been thrown into turmoil since last year’s general elections after a Sadr-backed faction won the most seats in Iraq’s parliament. Sadr and his allies have refused to engage with other Shia groups in the parliament backed by Iran, delaying the formation of a new government in the country. Tehran is an influential player in Iraq’s national politics and it backs a bloc of political parties led by former prime minister, Nouri al-Maliki—a rival of Sadr. Sadr-loyalists fear that his exit from active politics could allow Iran-backed leaders to seize power in a new ruling coalition. Aside from political parties, Iran also exerts influence over several Iraqi paramilitaries who are part of the country’s security forces but not directly controlled by the government in Baghdad, the New York Times reports. Iraq’s caretaker Prime Minister—an ally of Sadr—has decried the violence and also imposed a nationwide curfew. Sadr himself has demanded an end to all violence across the country and said he will go on a hunger strike until this happens.

Crucial Quote

In a statement issued on Monday, the U.S. Embassy in Baghdad—which is located inside the Green Zone—said: “The United States is concerned about escalating tensions and urges all parties to remain peaceful and refrain from acts that could lead to a cycle of violence…Now is the time for dialogue to resolve differences, not through confrontation.” White House officials echoed this but indicated there wasn’t an immediate need to evacuate embassy staff from Baghdad.

Surprising Fact

Amid the clashes, several of Sadr’s supporters managed to enter the premises of the Republican Palace. In a repeat of scenes witnessed in Sri Lanka earlier this year, many of them were pictured jumping into the swimming pool located inside the palace compound while others walked around the lavish building.

What To Watch For

Among members of the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC), Iraq is the second largest producer of oil and violence in the country could result in disrupted supply. In July, Iraq produced 4.496 million barrels per day and a major drop in that number could send global crude oil prices soaring further. According to Reuters, there has been no disruption in oil exports from Iraq as of Tuesday, but Sadr’s supporters have surrounded a refinery in Basrah, which produces 210,000 barrels per day. Despite this, the global benchmark Brent Crude Oil Futures Index is down more than 2.4% on Tuesday morning amid fears of an oncoming recession.

Tangent

A series of what appears to be unrelated rocket attacks on a gas field in northern Iraq’s Kurdish region forced U.S. workers to leave the area, causing another disruption in the country’s energy sector, Reuters reported. The most recent rocket strikes on the gasfield took place last week, forcing several American workers from the Texas-based Exterran Corp to leave the region.

Further Reading

Fighting in Iraqi capital leaves 23 dead after Sadr quits politics (AFP)

Iraqi Shiite Cleric Takes Step to Defuse Violence After 24 Killed (New York Times)