Iraq lifts curfew on Baghdad after security forces end Green Zone breach

Iraqi authorities on Friday lifted curfew imposed earlier on the Iraqi capital of Baghdad after hundreds of followers of Shiite cleric Moqtada al-Sadr broke into the heavily fortified Green Zone, demanding reform and new government.

A statement by Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi's office said Abadi, also the Commander-in-Chief of armed forces, issued directions to lift curfew imposed on Baghdad, without giving further details.

Abadi's decision came after Sadr followers in the evening withdrew from the Green Zone, which houses the government offices and some foreign embassies.

In the afternoon Sadr's followers crossed security barriers on Jamhouriyah Bridge and marched to a main gate of the Green Zone, while the security forces guarding the government zone opened fire in the air and fired tear gas to disperse the protesters.

Despite the fierce resistance from the security forces guarding the main gates of the Green Zone, the demonstrators managed to enter the Prime Minister's compound, including his own office, while dozens others entered many surrounding government offices.

The breach of the government zone prompted Baghdad Operations Command, responsible for the security in the Iraqi capital, to announce curfew in Baghdad city until further notice, while security measures were intensified and the troops blocked the entrances of Baghdad.

The breach of the restricted district left at least 120 people wounded, including many security members, by the live bullets and tear gas used by the security forces to disperse the protesters, a security source told Xinhua, citing latest reports.

After the clashes, a statement issued by the Joint Operations Command said "the security forces are in full control of the Green Zone after the unfortunate events," after large military reinforcements arrived to the government zone.

Late last month, Sadr followers broke into the government zone and occupied the parliament building, but pulled out to give time for the political parties to agree on reforms demanded by the protesters.

A series of failed reform measures have paralyzed the Iraqi authorities as the country struggles to fight the Islamic State militant group, which seizes swathes of territories in northern and western Iraq. The country is also in dire need to respond to an economic crisis sparked in part by a plunge in global oil prices. Endit