The Iraqi News Agency reported: “The Prime Minister announced on Tuesday the suspension of official business hours in all Iraqi governorates.”

Iraqi Prime Minister Mustafa al-Kazemi said, “I appreciate Mr. Muqtada al-Sadr’s call to end the violence,” calling on “all parties to have a national responsibility to preserve Iraqi blood.” He declared “a state of maximum alert for all security forces in Baghdad” and announced “the suspension of cabinet meetings until further notice due to the infiltration of demonstrators into the council’s headquarters.”

Demonstrations resumed in Iraq today after Sadrist leader Muqtada al-Sadr announced his retirement from political work as his supporters stormed the Republican Palace in the Green Zone in Baghdad, leading to clashes between security forces and supporters of the Sadrist movement left 12 killed and over 200 wounded. A curfew has been introduced in the country since 19:00.