Deadly Baghdad Violence Condemned by Iraqi Cleric Moqtada al-Sadr

BAGHDAD — Moqtada al-Sadr, the Islamic cleric whose withdrawal from public life sparked deadly clashes in the Iraqi capital this week, condemned his supporters for attacking security forces and urged them to leave the city’s Green Zone.

In a televised address, Mr Sadr expressed anger and apologized for the behavior of his supporters, known as Sadrists, who on Monday attacked Iraqi security forces defending Baghdad’s area where government buildings and embassies are located. The night’s battle left 22 dead and more than 100 injured, Iraqi authorities said.