The political crisis that Iraq has been experiencing since the announcement of the October elections results last month has begun to expand into the streets amid warnings of the country's slide towards chaos and armed confrontation.

The capital Baghdad is witnessing protests by supporters of the leader of the Sadrist Movement, Muqtada al-Sadr, following the nomination by the "Coordinating Framework" (the Shiite political bloc led by Nouri al-Maliki) of former minister Mohammed Shia' Al Sudani to head the new government.

On Friday night-Saturday, al-Sadr's supporters closed the headquarters of the leader of the Hikma Movement, Ammar al-Hakim, who is part of the "Coordinating Framework" and vandalized some of them, after a speech he gave at a public gathering criticizing the way security forces dealt with the Sadrist protests and their allowing demonstrators to enter the Green Zone in Baghdad.

Following the demolition of the Hikma headquarters, al-Hakim posted a Quranic verse: "If you stretch your hand to kill me, I will not stretch my hand to kill you. Indeed, I fear Allah, the Lord of the worlds."

He also said that "Hikma" "will not stand idly by in the face of the voices of sedition and the incitement of youth into chaos."

Meanwhile, Iraqi President Barham Salih emphasized in a tweet the necessity of "united ranks to protect our country and our people and to consolidate civil peace,” saying: "It is also necessary to work seriously to meet the citizens’ demands and aspirations for reform and services."

Likewise, Prime Minister Mustafa Al-Kadhimi stressed in a tweet the importance of "acting with wisdom, praying to God to maintain upon us the blessing of love and stability."

The leadership of the Shiite "Coordinating Framework" repeatedly confirms their commitment to Sudani as the candidate to form the government despite the protests from the Sadrist camp.

The "Framework" formed a negotiation team to discuss with all political forces regarding government formation and completing constitutional entitlements, stating in a statement that "the team started its dialogue rounds today."

Iraq is living a political struggle mainly between the "Sadrist Movement" and the "Coordinating Framework," in addition to the disagreement among the Kurdish components, who hold the presidency, over appointing the country's president.

"A Reformist Revolution"

The leader of the "Sadrist Movement," Muqtada al-Sadr, last Thursday threatened the Iraqi "Coordinating Framework" with a "reformist revolution" on Ashura in the upcoming month of Muharram, following a demonstration organized by the movement in Tahrir Square in central Baghdad that led to his supporters storming the Iraqi parliament building in rejection of Mohammed Shia' Al Sudani’s nomination for prime minister.

Al-Sadr’s message came in a tweet by his close associate Salih Mohammed al-Iraqi, who said that storming the Green Zone and the parliament building was "a warning slap."

He added in a tweet on Twitter that "Today was a warning slap... tomorrow? A reform revolution in the month of reform, continuing the legacy of the master of reform Imam Hussain, peace be upon him," pointing out that there was "cooperation from the security forces, may God increase their strength, honor, and dignity."

Al-Iraqi confirmed that "the demonstration is a message received by the parties, understood by the judiciary, and comprehended by the entire world. Perhaps it could serve as a message to the normalizers, the conciliators, and to (the letter) M."

Protests

Today, the security authorities closed the Republic Bridge as well as some roads leading to the Green Zone as precautionary measures to prevent Sadrist protesters from re-entering the Green Zone.

However, the protesters managed to remove concrete blocks on the bridge and reached the vicinity of the Green Zone.

The security forces tried to disperse the crowds using tear gas canisters and water hoses.

The security authorities closed Al-Khilani Square in central Baghdad and its surroundings to secure a large gathering organized by the Hikma Movement led by Ammar al-Hakim.

Minister of al-Sadr

Al-Sadr’s Minister Salih Mohammed al-Iraqi held the political blocs responsible for any attacks on peaceful protesters, considering that "the security forces are with reform and reform is with them."

He said via Twitter: "You stole Iraq’s money, so enough with attacking innocent blood."

Official Conflict

Iraqi political analyst Rabee al-Jarwari told "Al-Nahar Al-Arabi" commenting on the rapidly evolving events in the country that "Iraq has entered into an official conflict as a result of the Shiite political crisis," noting that "shifting the political crisis to the streets is a dangerous development that could lead the country to chaos and armed clash between the Sadrist and the Coordinating Framework masses."

Jarwari pointed out the presence of the commander of the "Quds Force" of the Iranian "Revolutionary Guard," Esmail Ghaani, in Iraq, noting that he "has failed to resolve the Shiite crisis and is now observing the situation."

The Iraqi political analyst indicated that "the Najaf religious authority represented by Ali al-Sistani may have a position regarding the crisis, especially since the country is witnessing a security collapse due to ISIS attacks."

He said that "the Coordinating Framework’s insistence on forming a government led by Sudani means the country is entering a dangerous slope."

For his part, Iraqi political observer and professor of political science Basim al-Shammari affirmed to "Al-Nahar Al-Arabi" that "Iraq is witnessing a Sadrist boiling against the Coordinating Framework... which warns of internal armed confrontation if international forces do not intervene."

He warned that "the current situation in the country has gotten out of control," explaining that "armed groups close to the Coordinating Framework, an ally of Iran, will not remain silent about the movements of the Sadrist masses; on the contrary, because both parties possess weapons and authority."