WEB DESK
One of Iraq’s most powerful figures, who has been at the centre of a long crisis over forming a government, has announced his retirement from political life. Moqtada al-Sadr, a firebrand Shia cleric with millions of followers, announced his decision on the social media platform, Twitter.
In his statement, Mr. Sadr announced his final retirement and the closure of all his institutions across the country. Some religious sites linked to his movement will remain open.
Hundreds of supporters of 48-year-old Moqtada al-Sadr have been camped outside the Iraqi Parliament for weeks after twice storming it in protest at the political deadlock. His forces were prominent in fighting US troops after the 2003 invasion.
Mr. Sadr’s announcement comes two days after he called for all parties and figures involved in political life following the US-led invasion of Iraq to quit.
Supporters of the cleric stormed Baghdad’s central government zone. Since then, they have occupied parliament, halting the process to choose a new president and prime minister.
Sadr now insists on early elections and the dissolution of parliament. He says no politician who has been in power since the U.S. invasion in 2003 can hold office.
Sadr’s ally Mustafa al-Kadhimi remains caretaker prime minister.
Monday’s announcement raised fears that Sadr’s supporters might escalate their protests without their leader to closely control them, which could further destabilize Iraq.
The country has struggled to recover since the defeat of Islamic State in 2017 because political parties have squabbled over power and the vast oil wealth possessed by Iraq, OPEC’s second-largest producer.