Iraqi PM suspends meeting due to storming of Republican Palace PHOTO/UPDATED

The Iraqi Army Joint Operations Command announced a nationwide curfew on August 29.

Proceeding from a special statement made by the Iraqi army command, "a comprehensive curfew is being imposed in all provinces of the country from 19:00 (GMT+3) on August 19", TASS reports referring to Al Jazeera TV channel.

The Iraqi army said that the imposed restrictions will remain in effect until a further order is made.

 20:06

Iraqi Prime Minister Mustafa al-Kadhimi has suspended a meeting of the Republican Palace until a further order is made.

This decision was made by the prime minister due to the penetration of Iraqi Shiite cleric Muqtada al-Sadr’s supporters into the Republican Palace, TASS reports referring to a statement made by the prime minister's office.

Al-Sadr announced on Twitter on August 29 that he planned to abandon the political life of Iraq and "cease the work of all the main institutions of supporters of his movement".

He also stated that his supporters were relieved of all their duties, and Al-Sadr’s office urged them not to deal with political affairs on behalf of the imam (prayer leader of a mosque) and banned the use of the movement's slogans and political symbols in the media.

After Muqtada al-Sadr’s statement, his supporters took to the streets and gathered in Baghdad’s Green Zone of government buildings, surrounding the Republican Palace and, as a result of the assault, they penetrated inside.