State of Law warns of dangerous showdown with Iraqi armed factions
The State of Law Coalition, led by former Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki, warned on Sunday against escalating tensions between the government and armed factions.
The warning follows Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani's acknowledgment of 'flaws' within the Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF) — an umbrella organization of Shiite groups formed in 2014 to fight ISIS — after armed confrontations between PMF fighters and security forces at the Agriculture Directorate in Baghdad. Al-Sudani has ordered a review of PMF unit deployments, leadership qualifications, and compliance with regulations through a high-level ministerial and security committee.
Coalition figure Hussein al-Maliki told Shafaq News that while the law 'must apply to all,' the government's latest steps — including an investigative committee's findings on the Agriculture Directorate incident and the dismissal of two Kataib Hezbollah brigade commanders — amounted to escalation. He linked the moves to recent remarks by the British ambassador on dissolving the PMF, and what he described as a US veto on passing the PMF Authority Law.
'These issues should be resolved politically,' he said, warning that external actors were trying to push the government into confrontation with 'resistance factions' in a way that could ignite a Shiite–Shiite conflict. Such a crisis, he argued, could derail the electoral process, push Iraq toward chaos, and even lead to an emergency government or a return to UN Security Council oversight under Chapter VII.
Al-Maliki urged holding individuals accountable without naming their factions, saying that repeated public identification and the insistence on restricting weapons — without passing the PMF law — could give the impression the government was acting on foreign instructions, undermining public trust.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Shafaq News
an hour ago
- Shafaq News
Jordan arrests members of banned Muslim Brotherhood
Shafaq News – Amman Jordanian authorities arrested several members of the Muslim Brotherhood during a meeting in the northern city of Irbid, the Jordanian News Agency reported on Tuesday. The gathering, which security agencies closely monitored, focused on topics related to the banned organization. Judicial police detained the participants, later referring them to the judiciary for legal proceedings. Since the group was outlawed, authorities have also observed repeated attempts to circumvent the ban by holding meetings under various pretexts, often described as 'social occasions' at the homes of active members. Earlier this year, Jordan's intelligence service detained a Brotherhood cell accused of manufacturing rockets and weapons domestically while receiving training abroad. Following the arrests, Interior Minister Mazen Faraya banned the organization, accusing it of plotting to destabilize the kingdom through training, weapons production, and planned attacks.
Shafaq News
an hour ago
- Shafaq News
Syria, Jordan, US form joint security group for Suwayda security
Shafaq News – Amman Syria, Jordan, and the US agreed on Tuesday to create a joint working group aimed at improving security in the southern province of Suwayda. The agreement came after a meeting in Amman between Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shaibani, Jordanian Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi, and US Special Envoy for Syria Thomas Barrack. A statement from Syria's Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates highlighted that discussions also focused on enhancing cooperation and coordination among the three parties to support Syria's stability and preserve its sovereignty and regional security. 'The formation of this working group underscores our commitment to reinforcing the ceasefire in Suwayda and addressing the security and political challenges that affect regional stability,' the statement noted. Participants further recognized the Syrian government's humanitarian efforts, particularly its work to restore essential services and hold those responsible for violations accountable. Tensions in Suwayda have escalated in recent weeks amid clashes between Druze and Bedouin factions, with at least 1,300 deaths reported by the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights. Despite the brokered ceasefire, multiple violations involving mortars and heavy weapons have continued. Several local and human rights organizations accuse the Syrian government of imposing a blockade on the province – claims Damascus rejects, maintaining that aid deliveries to Suwayda proceed without interruption.
Shafaq News
an hour ago
- Shafaq News
+20 nations warn against Israeli expansion as Gaza toll climbs
Shafaq News – Gaza 100 people were killed and 513 wounded in Gaza in the past 24 hours, the Palestinian Health Ministry reported on Tuesday, amid mounting international warnings over Israel's military campaign and the deepening humanitarian crisis. Several victims remain trapped as rescue teams face difficulty reaching them due to the intensity of the bombardment. Since October 7, 2023, the ministry has recorded 61,599 deaths and 154,088 injuries. In the past day, 31 fatalities and 388 injuries occurred during aid distribution, bringing the total in such incidents to 1,838 dead and over 13,409 wounded. Hospitals also registered five deaths from famine and malnutrition, including two children, raising that toll to 227, among them 103 children. يوميا؛ تشييع ووداع وحزن كبير.. تشييع شهداء بينهم أطفال قتلهم الاحتلال بمحيط مركز المساعدات الأمريكية شمال قطاع غزة. — شبكة قدس الإخبارية (@qudsn) August 12, 2025 A joint statement by the foreign ministers of 24 countries, three European commissioners, and the EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy warned that 'famine is unfolding before our eyes' in Gaza and urged urgent steps to halt and reverse starvation. It called on Israel to authorize international NGO shipments, lift restrictive registration requirements, and allow large-scale humanitarian access. 'We need a ceasefire that can end the war.' Former EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs Josep Borrell joined 110 former members of the European Parliament in urging suspension of the EU–Israel Association Agreement, warning that inaction could breach Article 265 of the Treaty for culpable inaction. I have joined 110 former Members of @Europarl_EN in calling to suspend the EU-Israel Association Agreement. Failure risks violating Article 265 of the Treaty for culpable inaction: — Josep Borrell Fontelles (@JosepBorrellF) August 12, 2025 Meanwhile, France cautioned that any expansion of Israeli operations into Gaza City and al-Mawasi would be 'a recipe for disaster: more civilian victims, the endangering of the hostages, a war without end,' calling instead for a permanent ceasefire, the release of hostages, civilian protection, and large-scale humanitarian aid. It proposed a temporary UN-mandated stabilization mission, noting that efforts are underway with partners to secure Security Council approval. "The extension of the Israeli operation to Gaza City and Al-Mawasi would be a recipe for disaster: more civilian victims, the endangering of the hostages, a war without only way out is a permanent ceasefire, the release of the hostages, the protection of civilians and… — France Diplomacy 🇫🇷🇪🇺 (@francediplo_EN) August 12, 2025 Earlier, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu revealed that the Security Cabinet approved a plan to seize control of Gaza City, blaming Hamas's refusal to compromise in ceasefire negotiations. Hamas, for its part, accused Israel of striking homes and displacement camps, obstructing humanitarian deliveries, and creating famine conditions. It called on Arab and Islamic states to leverage their influence with the United States to halt the offensive and prevent the displacement of Palestinians.
