Latest news with #Aedal-Hilali
Shafaq News
22-06-2025
- Politics
- Shafaq News
Iran-backed group silent on US strikes as Iraq warned of war fallout
Shafaq News/ Kataib Sayyid al-Shuhada, an Iran-backed Iraqi faction, on Sunday declined to comment on the latest US strikes on Iranian nuclear sites, amid growing fears that Baghdad could become a direct battleground in the escalating confrontation between Tehran and Tel Aviv. The group's spokesperson, Sheikh Kazem al-Fartousi, told Shafaq News that there is currently 'no official position' on the latest developments. He stressed that the war 'has not stopped,' emphasizing Iran's right to respond to any aggression. 'The United States remains fully involved in the military escalation.' Meanwhile, politician Aed al-Hilali cautioned that Washington's deepening involvement in the conflict could draw Iraq into a dangerous regional showdown. 'With the US expanding its military role, Iraq now stands at a crossroads,' he told our agency. 'Armed factions have vowed to enter the fight, and their statements are not mere rhetoric—they signal the possibility of Iraq becoming a frontline in this conflict.' If these factions act on their threats, Al-Hilali explained, Iraq could face severe consequences. 'Such a move would exact a high price from Iraq's security, economy, and possibly its national unity. These groups possess significant firepower and organizational strength, but acting independently of the state will strip Iraq of what remains of its sovereignty and turn its territory into a theater for foreign score-settling.' He stressed that US military installations in Iraq would inevitably come under fire, triggering retaliatory strikes. 'This catastrophic scenario would place Baghdad between two warring allies, accelerating Iraq's international isolation and undermining the government's diplomatic efforts.' The politician further emphasized that Iraq should refrain from fighting on behalf of others, urging the government to assert its sovereignty and prevent any internal or external actor from dragging the country into a war that serves no national interest. The warning follows a wave of US airstrikes early Sunday targeting Iranian nuclear facilities in Fordow, Natanz, and Isfahan—described by President Donald Trump as 'precise and successful.' Iran had previously warned that any US intervention in its conflict with Israel would prompt retaliatory strikes on American interests across the Middle East.
Shafaq News
21-06-2025
- Politics
- Shafaq News
Iraq's High Court crisis threatens November 2025 elections
Shafaq News/ A judicial crisis is unfolding in Iraq after nine members of the Federal Supreme Court—six full judges and three alternates—submitted collective resignations, citing political pressure. While these resignations have not yet been formally received by Chief Justice Jassim al-Amiri, the move has triggered political tremors and widespread concern about the fate of Iraq's upcoming elections. A Threat To Electoral Legitimacy The Federal Supreme Court plays a pivotal role in Iraq's electoral process, with sole authority to certify parliamentary election results. The court's paralysis due to mass resignations could derail the November 11, 2025, vote, extending the term of the current government and plunging the country into constitutional uncertainty. Political analyst Aed al-Hilali told Shafaq News the resignations may be linked to issues such as the Kurdistan Region's budget or the legal dispute over the Khor Abdullah maritime agreement with Kuwait. "There may also be internal, regional, or international pressure," he said, while ruling out any connection to Iraq's Election Law. An informed source told Shafaq News that the resignations reflect growing frustration with the management style of Chief Justice al-Amiri. The source warned that without swift resolution, the crisis could delay the elections indefinitely. A Fragile Democratic Framework Khaled Walid, spokesperson for the Nazil Akhudh Haqqi Movement (Going To Take My Right), said the resignations highlight long-standing political interference in the judiciary. He pointed to a recent letter from the chief justice to the Speaker of Parliament, requesting a meeting of national leaders—a request that was declined in the name of judicial independence. "The resignation of six primary and three alternate judges is unprecedented," Walid told Shafaq News. "It should prompt political parties to end their meddling, especially amid heightened regional tensions." He urged Iraq's executive, legislative, and judicial institutions to identify and expose the forces destabilizing the judiciary before making new appointments or pushing for reversals. MP Mohammed Anouz, a member of the Legal Committee, described the resignations as "a dangerous indicator" of institutional fragility. "This shows a lack of constitutional adherence and undermines democratic mechanisms within state institutions," he said. Anouz added, "Whether it's Khor Abdullah or Kurdistan salaries, these are merely pretexts. The root problem is systemic. Unless we address it courageously and comprehensively, this crisis will persist." Why The Court Matters Since Iraq's 2021 elections, the Federal Supreme Court has become a critical arbiter of electoral legitimacy. It dismissed early challenges from the Shiite Coordination Framework and upheld the election results, allowing government formation after a prolonged deadlock. One of its most consequential decisions came in 2010, when the court interpreted the term "largest bloc" to mean the coalition formed after the elections, not the one that won the most seats. This paved the way for Nouri al-Maliki to form a government, bypassing former Prime Minister Iyad Allawi. The court has also ruled on the legality of electing the president and removed prominent figures such as former Speaker Mohammed al-Halbousi and former Foreign Minister Hoshyar Zebari from office. "The Federal Supreme Court is the only authority empowered to ratify parliamentary election results," said Imad Jameel, head of the media team at the Independent High Electoral Commission. "If these resignations are accepted, the electoral process will be directly affected." Hazem al-Rudaini, head of the Strategic Center for Human Rights in Iraq, echoed that concern. "Approving these resignations would derail the electoral process," he warned. With the November 2025 vote fast approaching, the political standoff at the top of Iraq's judiciary has injected fresh uncertainty into an already fragile system. If the court fails to regain full capacity, the country could face a legal vacuum—one that threatens to stall democratic transition and prolong the tenure of the current government.
Shafaq News
16-06-2025
- Politics
- Shafaq News
Iraqi PM ally: Kataib Hezbollah threats risk dragging Iraq into war
Shafaq News/ Threats by Kataib Hezbollah, an Iran-aligned armed group, against US assets risk destabilizing Iraq, a political figure close to Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani warned on Monday. Aed al-Hilali told Shafaq News that the group's recent rhetoric marks 'a dangerous escalation ' that could drag Iraq deeper into regional conflict, cautioning, 'With mounting tension between the US and Iran's axis, these threats go beyond warnings—they risk reigniting instability and turning Iraq into a battleground.' He emphasized that Iraq, while working to assert its sovereignty and rebuild diplomatic credibility, now faces heightened risks to its security, economy, and foreign relations. Addressing Kataib Hezbollah 's demand to shut down the US Embassy in Baghdad, al-Hilali described it as a move with 'serious political and security consequences,' potentially signaling a shift toward targeting American interests. 'Even with heavy fortifications, the tone and timing of these statements suggest the embassy could become a target if conflict escalates.' Al-Hilali urged de-escalation, arguing that such rhetoric weakens state authority and threatens national sovereignty. 'Iraq must prioritize its own stability and avoid becoming a pawn in regional power struggles,' he concluded.
