In a statement posted on his Twitter account on August 29, Muqtada Al-Sadr, the leader of the Sadrist movement in Iraq, announced his final retirement from politics. Moreover, all institutions associated with the Sadrist party except al-Marqad al-Sharif, al-Sharif Museum, and al-Sadr heritage would be closed.
The retirement statement triggered a major uproar in Iraq, where the country experienced clashes between supporters of the Sadrist Movement and Iraqi security forces. Nearly 30 people were killed, and the party’s supporters stormed the Republican Palace building.
According to the Iraqi news agency, Shiite cleric Muqtada Al-Sadr began a hunger strike in protest against the violent riots that followed his announcement of resigning from politics "once and for all.
Misbar monitored misleading allegations about the events taking place in Iraq and published several investigations revealing the truth.
Among these misleading allegations was a series of videos attributed to recent events. A video purported that it shows Iranian militias bombing from inside the Baghdad neighborhoods of the Green Zone. Misbar’s investigation revealed that the video is old and has been posted on YouTube on June 2018. The video shows the Syrian regime forces bombing opposition party sites in Daraa neighborhood in Daraa, Southern of Syria.
Another viral video was alleged to show the burning of the headquarters of the People's Mobilization Forces in the Iraqi capital Baghdad. Misbar investigated the claim and found it to be misleading. The video was found to be old and posted on YouTube on September 7, 2018, under the headline "Basra Revolutionaries’ Celebration in Front of the Provincial Council" and "Basra Burning."
Another circulating video was claimed to show Sadrist party forces in Iraq attacking Imam Hussain Grave visitors’ buses. Misbar found that the video is of the Ismaili football club fans attacking Al-Ahly football club fans bus before a match in the Egyptian league on Sunday August 21.
Social media users also circulated a video claiming that it shows the arrest of an Iranian sniper, who killed Sadrist supporters in the Green Zone during the recent clashes. Misbar found that the video was posted on YouTube in August 2011 and that it shows the arrest of a sniper in Syria.
In the same context, a series of misleading images were widely shared online. One of the images, purporting to show an explosion and burning of the Al-Ahd Channel headquarters, went viral in the municipal area of the Iraqi capital Baghdad. Misbar found out it is old and was published by Iraqi websites in July 2022. The original photo shows a fuel tank explosion in the central province of Najaf.
Social media users and pages also circulated a photo, claiming that it shows the arrest of a man for promoting protests via fake Facebook accounts in the western Iraqi province of Anbar. Misbar’s investigation found that the official page of the Federal Intelligence and Investigation Agency at the Ministry of Interior affairs in Iraq, published the photo last July, in a photo collection, and stated that it is from the arrest of eight people on charges of belonging to ISIS.
A photo of the arrest of Iraqi politician Izzat Al- Shabandar by special security forces was recently circulated. Misbar found that the photo dates back to May 2020. The photo shows the arrest of people involved in a clan conflict that had erupted near the eastern province of Misan. Misbar could not conclusively confirm the identity of those arrested, but the fact that the photo is from 2020 proves that it is unrelated to the recent events in Iraq.
More allegations about the current events in Iraq are expected to be proliferate in the upcoming days. Please do not hesitate to contact us to inquire about any allegations you that might seem suspicious.
Translated by Jehan Batrawi
Misbar’s Sources
