The Iraqi government's two main sponsors agreed early Wednesday to drop their support for embattled premier Adel Abdel Mahdi, overcoming their rivalry to resolve a political crisis sparked by widespread demonstrations.

The surprise rapprochement came as tens of thousands flocked to the capital's Tahrir Square to demand the government quit, the largest rally yet since protests erupted on October 1.

Populist cleric Moqtada al-Sadr, who leads parliament's largest bloc, has spearheaded calls this week for Abdel Mahdi's resignation and early parliamentary elections.

But Hadi al-Ameri, the chief of second-biggest bloc Fatah and a leading commander in its armed Hashed al-Shaabi branch, had thrown his weight behind the government.

In an unexpected move, Ameri announced overnight that he and Sadr would "work together to achieve the people's demands".

He thus accepted Sadr's public invitation, issued hours earlier, to coordinate on a no-confidence vote in Abdel Mahdi, whom he dramatically called on to "Get out!" in a tweet.

Sadr and Ameri formed a tenuous alliance to bring Abdel Mahdi to power last year but have been increasingly at odds in recent months.

Their partnership was further strained when several Hashed offices were torched in southern Iraq last week during protests.

- 'One name' -

Parliament is set to meet for a third consecutive day on Wednesday, after they agreed to explore early polls and constitutional amendments and demanded Abdel Mahdi come in for questioning "immediately".

The premier has so far ignored those calls, and on Tuesday dismissed demands for early elections, instead challenging Sadr to find a political solution.

If a new government was formed, Abdel Mahdi wrote, it could begin work within "days, if not hours."

Sadr, who had just returned to his hometown of Najaf from neighbouring Iran, appeared to take up the challenge.

As the politics played out online, the public demonstrations continued late into the night on Tuesday in Tahrir Square.

Blaring horns, fireworks and loud Iraqi music filled the plaza, Baghdad's focal point for demonstrations.

"They said we wouldn't be able to do anything. But even if we change one name, now we have a voice," said Youssef, a 33-year-old who was spending his sixth straight night in the square.

Protesters have defied army orders to clear the streets between midnight and 6:00am local time, occupying the square and multi-storey buildings there.

Late Tuesday, security forces unleashed volleys of tear gas at crowds massing on a key bridge linking Tahrir to the Green Zone, which hosts government offices and foreign embassies.

But the crowds seemed unfazed.

"We've started fighting over who can kick back the tear gas canister first," Youssef joked.

- 'Cycle of violence' -

Rallies in Baghdad and across the south have swelled in recent days, defying curfews, threats of arrest and violence that has left more than 240 people dead and more than 8,000 wounded.

The first burst of protests starting October 1 left 157 people dead, mostly protesters in Baghdad.

At least 85 more have died in a second wave starting last Thursday, including at least one protester killed overnight in the Shiite holy city of Karbala, according to the Iraqi Human Rights Commission.

The Karbala violence has sparked condemnations from Amnesty International, who said "excessive and often lethal force" was used against protesters "in a reckless and utterly unlawful manner."

"The vicious cycle of violence must end," said the United Nations' top official in Iraq Jeanine Hennis-Plasschaer, urging a national dialogue to respond to protesters' demands.

Thus far, the government's reform proposals -- hiring drives, anti-corruption campaigns and more social safety nets -- have failed to appease the protesters.

The movement is leaderless and disorganised, but recently received a new push from Iraq's younger generation, with students and school children streaming onto the streets despite orders to return to class.

Trade unions representing teachers, lawyers and dentists have all declared strikes lasting several days.

About 60 percent of Iraq's 40-million population is under the age of 25.

But youth unemployment stands at 25 percent, while one in five live below the poverty line, despite the vast oil wealth of OPEC's second-largest crude producer.

"We don't want this government any more. We want a transitional government and constitutional change," another female protester said.

"I'm a teacher, I have a salary, I have a house -- but the young unemployed people are my brothers and relatives, too."

Iraq: growing anti-regime protests, deadly clashes
Baghdad (AFP) Oct 29, 2019 - Apparently spontaneous anti-government protests that started in Iraq on October 1 have escalated into deadly clashes around the country and demands for the government to resign.

With at least 240 people killed in the growing movement and demonstrators camping out in Baghdad's iconic Tahrir (Liberation) Square for days, here is a recap:

- Spontaneous gatherings -

On October 1, more than 1,000 people take to the streets in Baghdad and cities in southern Iraq to protest corruption, unemployment and poor public services.

Heeding calls on social media, they gather in Tahrir Square in what seems to be a spontaneous movement.

Riot police disperse crowds with water cannons, tear gas and rubber bullets. They fire live ammunition when protesters regroup.

The first deaths are reported.

- Unrest spreads -

On October 2, protests multiply across southern Iraq and riot police fire live rounds in the capital and the cities of Najaf and Nasiriyah.

Influential firebrand Shiite cleric Moqtada Sadr, whose bloc is the biggest in parliament, announces support for "peaceful protests".

On October 3, thousands defy a curfew in Baghdad and other cities, blocking streets and burning tyres.

Riot police and soldiers again fire live rounds.

Prime Minister Adel Abdel Mahdi defends his year-old government on television, asking for more time to implement reforms.

- Sadr calls for polls -

On October 4, clashes intensify in Baghdad as security forces try to block access to Tahrir Square.

Several protesters are struck by bullets. Security forces blame "unidentified snipers".

In the evening, Sadr calls on the government to resign and for early elections under UN supervision.

- Death toll: 157 -

On October 6, the cabinet announces reforms, including land distribution, boosted social welfare and the ousting of corrupt officials.

On October 7, the powerful Hashed al-Shaabi, a network of mostly majority-Shiite paramilitary units, says it will back the government to prevent "a coup".

Calm returns and Baghdad lifts security restrictions on October 8.

On October 22, an official inquiry announces that the death toll from the week of protests totalled 157, most killed in Baghdad.

- Second wave -

Protests resume on October 24, after calls on social media for rallies on October 25, the anniversary of Abdel Mahdi's government taking office.

Protesters begin camping out at Tahrir Square.

On October 25, demonstrators are out in their thousands, massing near the capital's high-security Green Zone and in other cities.

Deadly violence erupts as protesters set fire to dozens of government buildings and offices belonging to the pro-government Hashed paramilitary forces across southern cities.

By the evening, more than 40 protesters have been killed.

Security forces impose a curfew across several southern provinces.

- Sadr sit-in -

On October 26, protesters dig in around Tahrir Square, while three people are shot dead in Nasiriyah city as they torch a local official's home.

In the evening, lawmakers in Sadr's influential bloc, Saeroon, begin a sit-in at parliament.

They align themselves with the political opposition, having been a main sponsor of the government.

On October 27, students join protests in Baghdad, while four parliamentarians resign.

- Students, unions join -

On October 28, the protest movement swells as students, schoolchildren and professors take part protests in Baghdad and cities in the south.

Trade unions representing teachers, lawyers and dentists declare strikes.

Parliament votes to summon Abdel Mahdi for questioning.

On October 29, the strikes and student rallies intensify after thousands defy an overnight curfew and stayed on the streets, including around Tahrir.

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Iraq: The first technology war of the 21st century

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