Shafaq News / The Minister of Interior Yassin Al-Yasiri has ordered the security forces to provide the necessary protection for the demonstration square in Najaf after a bloody night, after clashes erupted between protesters and Sadrist supporters, who are called "blue hats".

The police leadership said in a statement on Thursday, that "in order to stabilize the security situation, calm the situation and impose security, Al-Yasiri arrived at Najaf."

The Directorate said, "The Minister of Interior was briefed on the spread of security services and the imposition of law control throughout the province."

It indicated, "The Minister of Interior has ordered to protect the demonstrators and take security measures to protect the protest square."

The Directorate confirmed in its statement, "A security meeting was held at the headquarters of the Directorate attended by the directors of the security services and officers to discuss the latest security developments and ordered to take security measures to protect the protest square and secure the province."

While Shafaq News reporter said that he did not notice the presence of the blue hats in Sadr Square, the place of the protests in Najaf, indicating the deployment of security forces in the square.

He pointed out that there were a few protesters, most of whom had left the scene since the time of the accident last night.

At least 8 protesters were killed and more than 100 others injured as supporters of the Sadrist leader stormed Sadr Square protests in Najaf, according to medical sources.

The local government in Najaf decided to suspend official working hours on the background of the tense situation in the province.

The leader of the Sadrist movement, Muqtada al-Sadr had ordered the "blue hats" in coordination with the security forces to restore official working hours and to open roads that were blocked by protesters in areas where demonstrations are taking place in Iraq.

Al-Sadr announced his support for the assignment of President Barham Salih to Muhammad Tawfiq Allawi to form a new government.

The elements of the blue hats started to suppress the demonstrations in Iraqi regions and cities after al-Sadr’s orderd by shooting and assaulting the protesters.

The protests in Iraq that started since early last October are witnessing a major escalation in protest against the mandate of President Barham Salih to Muhammad Tawfiq Allawi to form a new government that will pave the way for early legislative elections in the country.