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Al Jazeera
Al Jazeera
World
Abubakr Al-Shamahi

What to know about the Middle East this week?

United Nations Iraq Libya Syria Al Jazeera Emmanuel Macron Fathi Bashagha Muqtada alSadr Esteghlal Iran
(Al Jazeera)

Welcome to the first edition of ‘This Week in the Middle East’, a weekly round-up of what happened in the Middle East and North Africa, written by myself, Abubakr al-Shamahi, Al Jazeera Digital’s Middle East Editor. 

Muqtada al-Sadr’s words have power. On Monday, the Iraqi Shia leader announced he was withdrawing from politics. He’s made similar statements in the past, but this time his decision caused chaos in Baghdad, as his supporters stormed government headquarters and confronted rival protesters. A day later, al-Sadr chastised his supporters and gave them an hour to go home – they immediately obeyed.

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