Iraqi Protesters Storm Parliament in "Show of Force" Against PM-Nominee

Iraq post-election chaos continues Wednesday (July 27), with hundreds of supporters of Moqtada al-Sadr, storming parliament in a “show of force” and condemning the pro-Iran candidate Muhammad al-Sudani.

Sudani had just recently been tapped as the nominee for premiership of the pro-Iran bloc. This followed leaked recordings of previous front-runner Nouri al-Maliki, who Sadr followers objected to so much they resigned from parliament outright. Ultimately, the bloc seemed to believe Sudani was a compromise candidate.

Protesters were demanding Sudani withdraw his candidacy, while chanting that Maliki was also “garbage” as a potential candidate. Sadr’s followers were chanting general anti-Iran slogans as well.