The statement came two days after two protesters were killed as hundreds of demonstrators stormed the prime minister’s office and the Parliament building, having breached the Green Zone compound that houses most Iraqi ministries and foreign embassies.
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The security forces used rubber bullets, water cannon and tear gas to disperse the thousands of demonstrators.
Fadhil al-Shuwaili, a member of the health committee on Baghdad’s provincial council, said three people had been confirmed killed: one by a gunshot to the head, one by a gunshot to the stomach and another who suffocated.
Violence has plagued the northern and western parts of Iraq ever since Daesh Takfiris launched an offensive in the country in June 2014, and took control of portions of the Iraqi territory, including Mosul, which now serves as their de facto capital on the Iraqi soil.
Many are followers of Shi’ite cleric Muqtada al-Sadr who, like numerous political leaders in Iraq, has his own armed militia knows as the Peace Brigades.
Angry protesters briefly entered the Prime Ministers office.
Sadr expressed support for protesters and condemned security forces’ use of force against them.
Supporters of Iraqi cleric Moqtada al-Sadr attempt to ram their way into Baghdad’s fortified “Green Zone”.
The violence caused Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi to impose a curfew in Baghdad, the AP reported.
Residents said that security forces were turning vehicles away, asking shop-owners to close down and blocking streets with concrete blast walls.
Intrigue in Abadi’s own party and gridlock over legislation meant to curb corruption have left the country politically, and increasingly militarily, chaotic.
Sadr supporters have also been angered by a deadly series of bombings in Baghdad, with protesters at the site of one attack blaming the government for carrying it out despite it having been claimed by IS. The attacks, many claimed by the Islamic State group, follow territorial losses the Sunni militants have suffered at the hands of Iraqi forces backed by USA -led coalition aircraft.
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On Thursday, Iraqi forces declared that the western town of Rutba was fully liberated after almost two years of IS control.
