This Is Why Violence Is Tearing Iraq Apart Again After Two Years Of Relative Calm

Another influential figure is the powerful Iraqi cleric Moqtada al-Sadr, who has a mass popular following and controls a large chunk of parliament. He also the leader of a militia that fought against the Americans during their occupation.

On Friday al-Sadr demanded the government resign and snap elections be held.

At least one other major parliamentary grouping allied itself with Sadr against the government.

Religious leaders also hold great sway in the country and while the protests are not directed at them, they can influence events on the ground.

Iraq’s top Shiite cleric sharply criticised the government over deadly violence gripping the country, urging political leaders and protesters to pull back “before it is too late”.

The highly anticipated comments by Grand Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani came hours after Abdul Mahdi called on protesters to go home, comparing security measures to “bitter medicine” that needs to be swallowed.

Who is being killed?

There are reports of both protestors and police being killed and injured though the majority appear to be civilians.

The semi-official Iraqi High Commission for Human Rights, affiliated with the parliament, put the death toll at 94 and said nearly 4,000 people have also been injured since Tuesday.