Iraqi cleric tells loyalists to leave streets after clashes

An influential Iraqi cleric has called on his supporters to withdraw from the capital’s government quarter

An influential Iraqi cleric called on his supporters to withdraw Tuesday from the capital's government quarter

where they have traded heavy fire with security forces in a serious escalation of a monthslong political crisis gripping the nation.

In a televised speech, Muqtada al-Sadr gave his supporters an hour to leave

minutes later some could be seen abandoning their positions on live television.

Iraq’s military announced an end to a curfew

further raising hopes that there might be a halt to the street violence.

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