Baghdad

The death toll due to clashes between supporters of Shi'ite cleric Muqtada al-Sadr and the security forces over the cleric's announcement of quitting politics has reached 20.

According to media reports, more than 300 people were injured in the clashes.

Following Muqtada al-Sadr’s announcement to quit politics on Monday, thousands of his followers stormed Iraq's presidential palace.

Meanwhile, Muqtada al-Sadr announced a hunger strike until the protestors' violence and use of weapons stops.

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UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres appealed to all "relevant actors" to take immediate steps to de-escalate the situation and avoid any further violence.