Baghdad braces for clashes as rival camps to stage protests

Supporters of Iraqi populist leader Moqtada al-Sadr gather for a sit-in at the parliament building, amid political crisis in Baghdad, Iraq August 1, 2022. REUTERS/Khalid Al-Mousily

BAGHDAD (Reuters) - Baghdad braced for demonstrations on Monday by rival Shi'ite Muslim groups which are affiliated with heavily armed militias, raising fears of clashes as tension soars over the formation of a government.

Iraq's longest post-election deadlock, at nearly 10 months with no government after an October vote, has led to unrest including protests by supporters of the powerful cleric Moqtada al-Sadr, who are occupying parliament in an open-ended sit-in.