Iraqi Security Forces Lift Curfew As al-Sadr Calls For Calm

Following on from our previous bullet on the subject (see: https://marketnews.com/iraqi-gov-t-political-unrest-not-hitting-oil-exports), Iraqi security forces have announced an end to the nationwide curfew. This comes as prominent cleric Moqtada al-Sadr calls on his supporters to vacate the parliament building and leave Baghdad's heavily-fortified Green Zone.

• Early reports suggest al-Sadr's supporters are heeding his instructions and leaving the area. Reports suggest that over 30 people were killed during the clashes between Shia cleric al-Sadr's supporters, Iran-backed groups, and Iraqi security services.
• Iraqi Prime Minister Mustafa Al-Kadhimi welcomed al-Sadr's decision to call for his followers to leave the Green Zone, calling it "the highest levels of patriotism". Calls for a 'national dialogue' to avoid future unrest.
• Earlier, al-Sadr's supporters had also surrounded the 210k/bbd Basrah refinery in the south of the country, raising concerns about the plant's continued operation in the event of a lengthy period of unrest. Unclear at present if these supporters are dispersing like those in Baghdad.