the army declared a nationwide curfew, and security personnel then patrolled the capital. The United Nations Assistance Mission in Iraq (UNAMI) advised "all" sides to "refrain from activities that might lead to an uncontrollable sequence of events," describing the developments as "an exceedingly hazardous escalation."

"The state's basic existence is in jeopardy, "It issued a warning. The US also advised restraint amid the "disturbing" "there are rumours of unrest in Baghdad. Later, protests expanded to other regions of the nation. According to an AFP journalist and witnesses, Sadr supporters stormed government buildings in Nasiriyah and Hillah, two cities south of Baghdad, and several routes in Hillah were also blocked.

Due to disagreements amongst Shiite groupings about the formation of a coalition, Iraq has been embroiled in political impasse since the country's legislative elections in October of last year. Following his unexpected announcement, Sadr's supporters barged into the Republican Palace, where cabinet meetings are typically held, in a flurry. In scenes reminiscent of anti-government rallies in Sri Lanka last month, demonstrators sat in armchairs in a conference room within the luxurious palace, some waved Iraqi flags and snapped selfies, while others cooled down in a swimming pool in the courtyard.

"I've made the decision not to get involved in politics. I thus therefore officially declare my resignation," Sadr, a long-time political actor in the war-torn nation who himself has never held elected office, stated. Except for his father's tomb and other historical sites, he said, "all the institutions" associated with his Sadrist organisation will be shut down. His father was slain in 1999. His most recent remarks came two days after he suggested that "all parties," including his own, should renounce their posts in the government in order to assist in resolving the current situation.

With 73 seats, his coalition was the largest after the election last year, but it fell short of a majority. In an effort to break the impasse, his members resigned in June, and as a result, the Coordination Framework became the majority in the assembly.
Since then, Sadr has used various pressure-cooking techniques. On August 5, for example, tens of thousands of his supporters participated in a large prayer. The European Council on Foreign Relations' (ECFR) Hamzeh Hadad claimed that Sadr's policy was "not apparent." Hadad stated, "Whatever it does signify, in classic Sadrist form, there is always expected backtracking." The second, and worse, interpretation of this is that he is enabling his supporters to act in whatever way they like.

Before fresh elections are held, the Framework wants a new head of state to be chosen. This month's crisis negotiations with party leaders were held by acting prime minister Mustafa al-Kadhemi, but the Sadrists chose to abstain. Many Iraqis claim that their daily hardships have nothing to do with the political squabbling. Iraq has been devastated by years of war and pervasive corruption. Iraq is an oil-rich nation, but it is also plagued by a failing infrastructure, unemployment, power outages, and deteriorating public services. Now, as a result of the country's widespread drought, it also has a water deficit.