Iraq's influential Shiite cleric on Monday tweeted that he would resign from Iraqi politics. This led hundreds of his angry followers to storm the government palace and sparked clashes with security forces in which at least 12 protesters were killed. Protesters loyal to cleric Muqtada al-Sadr pulled down the cement barriers outside the government palace with ropes and breached the palace gates. Many rushed into the lavish salons and marbled halls of the palace, and even took a dip in the pool.
