Shelling hits Baghdad Green Zone as Sadr resignation stirs deadly clashes

Iraq's popular Shia cleric Muqtada al Sadr is said to have announced a hunger strike after resigning from politics amid a months-long political logjam.

Supporters of Iraqi cleric Muqtada al Sadr breach the Green Zone in Baghdad, Iraq on August 29, 2022. (Thaier Al-Sudani / Reuters)

Shelling has targeted Baghdad's high-security Green Zone after Shia cleric Muqtada al Sadr said he was quitting politics, sparking chaos in which at least 15 of his supporters were killed. Tensions have soared in Iraq amid a political crisis that has left the country without a new government, prime minister or president for months, and escalated sharply after Sadr's supporters stormed the government palace following their leader's announcement on Monday. At least seven shells fell in the high-security Green Zone, which houses government buildings and diplomatic missions, the security source said late Monday on condition of anonymity. It was not immediately clear who was behind the shelling, which was followed by the sound of automatic weapons being fired in the Green Zone. The security source said Sadr's supporters opened fire at the Green Zone from the outside, adding that security forces inside "were not responding". Sadr is said to have announced a hunger strike until the violence and use of weapons stops, Iraq's state news agency INA and state TV reported late on Monday. There was no immediate confirmation from Sadr's office. READ MORE: Iraq’s top judicial body suspends activities as Sadr supporters protest Green Zone under siege Shots were fired earlier in the fortified area, an AFP correspondent said, and medics said 15 Sadr supporters had been shot dead and 350 other protesters injured – some with bullet wounds and others suffering tear gas inhalation. Witnesses said earlier that Sadr loyalists and supporters of a rival Shia bloc, the pro-Iran Coordination Framework, had exchanged fire. The Framework condemned an "attack on state institutions", urging the Sadrists to engage in "dialogue". The army had announced a nationwide curfew from 1600 GMT. Caretaker Prime Minister Mustafa al Kadhemi said "security or military forces, or armed men" were prohibited from opening fire on protesters. Calling the earlier developments "an extremely dangerous escalation", the United Nations Assistance Mission in Iraq (UNAMI) urged "all" sides to "refrain from acts that could lead to an unstoppable chain of events". The United States also urged calm amid the "disturbing" reports of unrest in Baghdad. Protests spread to other parts of the country, with Sadr followers storming government buildings in the cities of Nasiriyah and Hillah south of Baghdad, an AFP correspondent and witnesses said.

Supporters of Iraqi populist leader Muqtada al Sadr swim after they breach the Republican Palace in protest in Baghdad's Green Zone in Iraq on August 29, 2022. (Alaa Al-Marjani / Reuters)

Shortly after he made his surprise declaration, Sadr's followers burst into the Republican Palace in Baghdad, where cabinet meetings are usually held. Inside the palace, protesters lounged in armchairs in a meeting room, some waved Iraqi flags and took photographs of themselves, and others cooled off in a swimming pool in the garden. Sadr – a grey-bearded preacher with millions of devoted followers, who once led a militia against American and Iraqi government forces – announced earlier on Twitter he was stepping back from politics. "I've decided not to meddle in political affairs. I therefore announce now my definitive retirement," said Sadr, a longtime player in the war-torn country's political scene, though he himself has never directly been in government. He added "all the institutions" linked to his Sadrist movement will be closed, except the mausoleum of his father who was assassinated in 1999, and other heritage facilities. His latest statement came two days after he said: "all parties" including his own should give up government positions to help resolve the political crisis. His bloc emerged from last year's election as the biggest, with 73 seats, but short of a majority. In June, his lawmakers quit in a bid to break the logjam, which led to the Coordination Framework becoming the largest bloc in the legislature. For earlier updates on Sadr's resignation and protests, read here  Source: TRTWorld and agencies

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Hawaii elections: Aiona wins GOP nomination for governor, Dems back Green; Schatz to face McDermott for Senate

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Hawaiians made their voices heard Saturday when voters cast ballots to decide dozens of elections across the state.

Primaries for Democrats and Republicans were held to decide general election showdowns this November for governor, lieutenant governor, their two U.S. House of Representatives seats as well as state and local elections.

Hawaii Governor

Hawaii Gov. David Ige served two four-year terms and was ineligible to run again, setting up an open ballot for his replacement.

Former Lt. Gov. James R. "Duke" Aiona was declared the winner of the Republican primary for Hawaii governor, a victory he later described as "a miracle."

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Former Hawaii Lt. Gov. James R. "Duke" Aiona waves at passing cars while campaigning in Kailua, Hawaii on Aug. 9, 2022.  (AP Photo/Audrey McAvoy)

He defeated former UFC champion and legend B.J. Penn and Honolulu City Councilperson Heidi Tsuneyoshi.

Aiona served as lieutenant governor under former Gov. Linda Lingle’ from 2002 to 2010.

Following his service in Lingle’s administration in 2010, he ran for governor and secured his party’s nomination but ultimately lost that year to Democrat Neil Abercrombie.

BJ Penn poses with all five of his UFC championship belts and several of his fight posters at his family's home on May 30, 2015, in Hilo, Hawaii.  (Hollyn Johnson/Hawaii Tribune-Herald via AP, File)

Since leaving office and following the failed campaign, Aiona resumed his private law practice. He has also hosted the 808 State Update Talk Radio and served as university adjunct faculty.

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On the Democratic ticket, current Lt. Gov. Josh Green won his party’s primary for Hawaii governor, defeating U.S. Rep. Kaiali’i Kahele and former Hawaii first lady Vicky Cayetano.

Green, who has served under Hawaii Gov. David Ige for the past four years, was previously a state senator, representative, and physician.

Hawaii Lt. Gov. Josh Green, left, and his wife, Jamie, greet passing cars while campaigning in Honolulu on Aug. 2, 2022.  (AP Photo/Audrey McAvoy)

Aiona is the son of a Portuguese-Hawaiian father and a first-generation Chinese mother while Green was born in Kingston, New York, and was raised in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

The two lieutenant governors will square off in November, where Green is already considered a favorite to win the general election as Hawaii is a liberal state. 

HAWAII COUPLE ACCUSED OF STEALING DEAD BABIES' IDENTITIES MAY HAVE BEEN KGB SPIES, PROSECUTORS SAY

In their respective primaries, Green garnered just over 136,000 votes while Aiona received a comparatively smaller 29,000.

U.S. Senate

In the U.S. Senate race, incumbent Brian Schatz won the Democratic primary with 94 percent of the vote.

Republican state Rep. Bob McDermott won his party’s nomination for U.S. Senate, beating five other challengers, Hawaii News Now reported.

U.S. House of Representatives — 1st District

In the 1st Congressional District, incumbent U.S. Rep. Ed Case easily defeated a challenge from attorney and political newcomer Sergio Alcubilla in the Democratic primary, News Now reported.

A general view shows Waikiki and Honolulu, Hawaii, from the Diamond Head crater on February 20, 2022.  (DANIEL SLIM/AFP via Getty Images)

Among Republicans, Conrad Kress held a comfortable lead with 48 percent over Arturo Reyes (30 percent) and Patrick Largey (24 percent), per the report.

U.S. House of Representatives — 2nd District

After Kaiali’i Kahele vacated his position representing Hawaii’s 2nd Congressional District in a bid to become the state’s next governor, six Democrats and three Republicans stepped up to take his place.

HAWAII’S HIDDEN TREASURES INCLUDE THESE HISTORIC WAR MONUMENTS IN OAHU

On Saturday evening, former state Sen. Jill Tokuda secured the Democratic primary win, News Now reported.

An aerial view from the window of a plane shows Diamond Head crater in Oahu, Hawaii on February 23, 2022.  (DANIEL SLIM/AFP via Getty Images)

Tokuda, a well-known politician, initially ran for lieutenant governor before joining the congressional race after Kahele announced he was not seeking re-election. She defeated state Rep. Patrick Pihana Branco.

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In the Republican primary, former U.S. Air Force intelligence analyst and businessman Joe Akana won his party’s primary, defeating business owner Joseph Webster.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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