Republic Bridge closed as farmers resume march on Green Zone

BAGHDAD — Iraqi authorities closed Republic Bridge in central Baghdad in both directions Monday after farmers and agricultural workers resumed protests and attempted to march toward the Green Zone to press demands for delayed payments and wheat pricing reforms.

The General Traffic Directorate said the closure affected traffic between Tahrir Square and the Shawaf area in both directions, urging motorists to use alternative routes. Riot police imposed a security cordon around the bridge after protesters attempted to cross toward the Green Zone.

The closure follows large protests Sunday by farmers from Najaf, Diwaniyah, Samawah, Karbala and Babil, during which security forces used water cannons to disperse crowds attempting to cross the bridge. President Nizar Amedi called for responding to farmers’ demands, particularly regarding unpaid dues, praising their “contribution to enhancing production capacity and serving the nation.” Former Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani directed authorities to receive all farmers’ requests and investigate the conduct of security forces during the protests. Parliament Speaker Haibat al-Halbousi called for responding to farmers’ financial demands and rejected the treatment they received during what he described as peaceful gatherings.

The parliamentary Defense Committee and several lawmakers have called for investigations into alleged misconduct during Sunday’s protests. Karbala lawmaker Ibtisam al-Hilali demanded an inquiry into claims that riot police used force and hot water against protesters and into reports that a tribal leader’s traditional headwear was removed during the confrontation.

The demonstrations stem from demands for payment of outstanding dues and revisions to wheat marketing prices. On April 20, parliament approved a resolution directing the government to maintain the previous wheat pricing structure, suspend loan repayment collection until the budget is approved, eliminate the pre-booking system for crop deliveries and ensure payment of farmers’ dues. On April 16, Trade Minister Atheer Dawood al-Ghurairi announced a 60-billion-dinar payment batch for farmers who marketed wheat in the 2025 season.

Farmers have been pushing for an increase in the wheat procurement price from 700,000 dinars per ton to 1 million dinars, citing unpaid dues and crop damage from rainfall in desert farming areas.