SULAIMANI — Shia cleric and political leader Moqtada al-Sadr issued a statement on Sunday (February 2) calling on his followers to work to put down major protest actions across Iraq in coordination with the security forces, including by breaking strikes at educational institutions and reopening blocked roads.

The order came a day after Mohammed Tawfiq Allawi was appointed as prime minister-designate by President Barham Salih and Sadrist militiamen wrested control of the Turkish Restaurant building overlooking Tahrir Square from unaligned anti-government protesters.

In a tweet, Sadr said that “the revolution must be returned to its discipline and peacefulness.”

“I advise the security forces to stop anyone from cutting off roads and the ministry of education should punish those who obstruct regular working hours, be they students, teachers or others,” Sadr said according to Reuters.

He directed the unarmed “blue hat” militia to work with the security forces to “form committees in the governorates in order to return to official working hours at government schools and other locations.”

Students and teachers joined with unemployed youth early on in the protest movement, shutting down schools across central and southern Iraq. Student marches have been among the best attended since October.

Additionally, government offices have been closed in several southern governorates since October, while others have closed temporarily during periods of high tension. Sadr urged his followers to ensure that they reopen.

He also said that those blocking roads should be arrested.

Despite Sadr’s call, large protests continued in Baghdad, Nasiriyah, Najaf, Basra, Karbala, Diwaniyah, and Babil.

Approximately 500 people have been killed since October 1 when anti-corruption protests grew into a protest movement seeking fundamental change in Iraq’s governance.

from the source: (NRT Digital Media)