Supporters of the leader of the Iraqi Sadrist movement, Moqtada Al-Sadr, protest in the Green Zone, in Baghdad on Wednesday.

Iran PressMiddle East: They were carrying an injured man while protesting.

They stormed parliament after penetrating the capital's high-security government Green Zone, protesting against a rival bloc's nomination for prime minister. Protesters stormed the parliament after initially being stopped by police firing a barrage of tear gas, a security source told AFP on condition of anonymity.

State agency INA said on messaging app Telegram that protesters have entered the parliament building.

The heavily fortified Green Zone is home to government buildings and diplomatic missions.

Prime Minister Mustafa al-Kadhemi called the protesters to immediately withdraw from the Green Zone. He warned in a statement that security forces would see the protection of state institutions and foreign missions, and prevent any harm to security and order.

An AFP correspondent in the Green Zone had earlier seen protesters carrying a fellow demonstrator who had been hurt.

Sadr's bloc won 73 seats in Iraq's October 2021 election, making it the largest faction in the 329-seat parliament.

But since the vote, talks to form a new government have stalled.

The protesters oppose the candidacy of Mohammed al-Sudani, a former minister and ex-provincial governor.

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