Iraqi police to replace army in Baghdad neighborhood

Iraq's army command says the prime minister has ordered that police replace the army in a heavily populated Shiite neighborhood of Baghdad where dozens were killed or wounded in clashes over the weekend.

This comes after a week of violence gripping Iraq has left more than 100 dead and thousands wounded. Monday's order for the withdrawal of the army from Sadr City appears aimed at calming tensions in the neighborhood, where a populist Shiite cleric enjoys wide support. The unrest is the most serious challenge facing Iraq, two years after the victory against Islamic State militants.

Iraq's national security adviser vowed to fight attempts to "bring down the Iraqi state." Falih al-Fayadh said an ongoing investigation will prove who was behind the violence in Baghdad and predominantly Shiite southern provinces.

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Iraq PM Urges To End Protests

After a bloody Saturday night in Baghdad, after Iraqi security forces opened fire on anti-government protesters, Iraq's Prime Minister Adel Abdul-Mahdi called on protesters to put an end to their rallies. 

The Prime Minister of Iraq said that he was ready to meet with the protesters and even hear their demands. Hours after at least 19 people lost their lives after security personnel opened fire, Adel Abdul-Mahdi said that there were orders for the security forces not to use live ammunition, except in strict cases of self-defense.

Abdul-Mahdi spoke late Saturday as one of the bloodiest in five consecutive days of unrest unfolded in Baghdad. Baghdad has been at the crux of anti-government protests, with at least 84 deaths across the country, subsequent to the protests that began with demanding jobs and an end to corruption and now includes calls for justice for those who were killed for protesting. The unrest is a crucial challenge for Iraq, after gaining victory against the Islamic State. 

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Prominent Shiite cleric in Iraq, Moqtada al-Sadr demanded the Iraqi government to fully resign on October 4. Amidst the ongoing protests against the government, al Sadr reportedly wanted to start early elections under the supervision of the United Nations. The continuous demonstrations have claimed the lives of dozens of people and the Shiite cleric believes it is a disregard for the “Iraqi blood” which cannot be tolerated. Earlier that day, al-Sadr had also urged the legislators to suspend their parliamentary membership and boycott all the sessions until the government addresses the demands made by protesters.