Protestor video from #Najaf after clashes with Sadr supporters. Sadr's 'blue hats' – followers and security enforcers – moved in to suppress #Iraq's anti-government protests after Muqtada Sadr, now in #Iran, threw his support behind Iraq's prime minister designate. #IraqProtests pic.twitter.com/xsH9rssLv0
— jane arraf (@janearraf) February 5, 2020
Seventeen anti-government protesters have been injured in clashes with Saraya al-Salam militiamen in the holy city of Najaf since Monday. The militiamen, who are followers of influential cleric Muqtada al-Sadr, are known as the ‘blue hats’ for their distinctive headwear. They had been participating in Iraq’s nationwide anti-government protests and protected the movement from armed pro-government forces.
However, Sadr has since withdrawn his support for the anti-government protests, which began in October, and has thrown his support behind the new prime minister designate Mohammed Tawfiq Allawi. Now the ‘blue hats’ have turned on the crowd, allegedly using live ammunition.