Iraq enters nationwide curfew as armed clashes rock Baghdad

All governorates in Iraq were placed under curfew starting at 7 p.m. on Monday evening amid violent clashes in Baghdad's Green Zones that broke out after followers of Iraqi Shi'ite cleric Muqatada al-Sadr stormed the president palace earlier in the day. The curfew will continue until further notice.

The latest demonstrations come after Sadr announced his "final retirement" from politics and the closure of all organizations affiliated with him. Iraq has been swept by political turmoil in the past year, as Sadr and his rivals have both attempted to form a government without success.

This isn't the first time the Iraqi cleric has announced his retirement. In 2013 and 2014 he made similar announcements, but eventually returned to politics.