The partisan Kurdish news agency Rudaw has claimed up to a million Sadarists took up the call for anti-corruption protests, however estimated numbers from Arabic language media outlets have been lower.

The demonstrations, which began following Friday (26 February) prayers in the Iraqi capital, came in response an ultimatum given by Sadr to the Abadi government in January, demanding the implementation of reforms promised in summer 2015.

Protesters in Baghdad's Tahrir Square shouted slogans of "no to corruption and the corrupt" and speaking on stage Sadr told the masses they should be prepared to continue their protest movement. He spoke from a stage emblazoned with the Iraqi flag, flanked by members of his paramilitary organisation Saraya al-Salam.

"Abadi must carry out grassroots reform," Sadr said. "Raise your voice and shout so the corrupt get scared of you," he added.

Sadr also sought to strike a less sectarian tone. He said the failures of the previous government, headed by Nouri al-Maliki, had led to the fall of Mosul to the Islamic State and caused the suffering of the country's Sunnis.