Latest news with #Azm
Shafaq News
01-05-2025
- Politics
- Shafaq News
Sunni political alliances shift as Iraq prepares for November elections
Shafaq News/ Iraq's Sunni political landscape is undergoing a renewed phase of realignment and strategic positioning ahead of the parliamentary elections scheduled for November 11. With internal competition, fading alliances, and the re-emergence of veteran figures, the Sunni front is mobilizing to secure its place in Baghdad and regain ground lost since the upheaval of 2014. Shafaq News has learned that four main forces are set to dominate the race in Sunni-majority provinces: Taqaddum (Progress) led by former Parliament Speaker Mohammed al-Halbousi, Al-Siyada (Sovereignty) under Khamis al-Khanjar, Azm (Determination) headed by Muthanna al-Samarrai, and the newly established New Baghdad Alliance, a coalition formed around Parliament Speaker Mahmoud al-Mashhadani and several prominent Sunni figures. While some movements are already engaging in campaign activity, others appear hesitant, uncertain whether the political calendar will hold in the face of Iraq's broader institutional volatility. Legacy of Fragmentation Sunni representation in Iraq's post-2003 political system has been shaped by successive cycles of marginalization, reconfiguration, and resurgence. After the ISIS territorial takeover in 2014 devastated Sunni heartlands, Sunni factions saw their influence diminish. In the 2018 parliamentary elections, Sunni MPs secured just 73 of 329 seats—a steep decline from the 90 seats held in the prior cycle. That number rebounded in 2021 to approximately 94, but the gains were short-lived. Internal discord has continued to fragment Sunni representation. In January 2022, two major camps—al-Halbousi's Taqaddum and al-Khanjar's Azm—joined forces under the Al-Siyada Alliance, commanding a combined bloc of 71 seats. But unity proved fleeting. Al-Halbousi eventually withdrew, citing differences in strategy and leadership, effectively dissolving the coalition's momentum. In January 2025, a new attempt at consolidation emerged with the formation of the Sunni Leadership Alliance, announced in Baghdad. However, the alliance was notably launched without al-Halbousi's participation, a signal of enduring rivalry within the Sunni sphere. Despite its high-profile launch, the grouping has yet to translate its formation into a coherent electoral strategy or policy action. Sources close to recent negotiations confirmed that in March, Speaker Mahmoud al-Mashhadani hosted a private meeting among leading Sunni figures, including al-Halbousi. The participants reportedly agreed on the need to maintain communal cohesion and refrain from escalating personal rivalries, which many see as a key obstacle to unified Sunni leverage in national politics. Major Blocs And Early Mobilization While formal coalition-building remains limited, campaign activity has already begun in several key provinces. Taqaddum and Azm have taken the lead, investing in candidate selection, media outreach, and constituency visits. Political operatives linked to Taqaddum are supporting several provincial lists, including the Iraq Hawks Movement led by Yazan Mishaan in Saladin, Minister of Planning Mohammed Tamim in Kirkuk, and Industry Minister Khalid Battal in Al-Anbar. Influential tribal leader Ahmed Abu Risha is also reportedly preparing an electoral push aligned with Taqaddum-backed platforms. Azm, under the leadership of Muthanna al-Samarrai, is now regarded as the most extensive Sunni alliance. It includes several prominent political veterans such as former Parliament Speaker Osama al-Nujaifi, former Deputy Prime Minister Rafi al-Issawi, and ideological affiliates like the Justice and Benevolence Movement (Harakat al-Adl wal-Ihsan). The coalition aims to present itself as a centrist bloc capable of bridging the Sunni political divide and reasserting influence in the national legislature. Despite Al-Siyada's continued presence under al-Khanjar, the coalition has yet to mount a clear electoral strategy for November. A political source close to the group suggested that al-Khanjar remains skeptical that elections will proceed as planned, citing the risk of a broader political transition that could sideline the current electoral timeline altogether. Nonetheless, insiders revealed signs of quiet coordination between Taqaddum and Al-Siyada, raising the possibility of a post-election alliance should mutual interests align. While no formal agreement has been reached, observers note that electoral pragmatism could override past tensions in pursuit of a stronger Sunni parliamentary bloc. Baghdad And Beyond: Key Battlegrounds Sunni parties are expected to compete fiercely in several strategic provinces, most notably Al-Anbar, Saladin, Nineveh, Diyala, and parts of Baghdad. The capital's mixed constituencies will be a crucial testing ground for the New Baghdad Alliance, which seeks to mobilize moderate urban Sunni voters disillusioned with established factions. Mahmoud al-Mashhadani is betting on his stature to draw in support for a platform grounded in technocratic governance and Sunni-Shiite dialogue. His coalition includes former civil servants and professionals aiming to offer an alternative to the dominant tribal- and personality-based politics in Sunni areas. Meanwhile, efforts are being made to incorporate younger voices and grassroots movements into campaign lists. While these initiatives remain limited in scope, they reflect a broader generational shift underway across Iraq's political spectrum. Opportunity Amid Uncertainty With less than seven months remaining before the scheduled vote, Iraq's Sunni political scene remains in flux. While Taqaddum and Azm appear most organized, the absence of a unified electoral front could weaken Sunni influence in a post-election government formation process. The legacy of mistrust, divergent leadership ambitions, and regional competition continues to challenge collective action. Yet the potential for realignment remains. Observers suggest that electoral outcomes in Sunni areas will depend not only on intra-bloc rivalries but also on national political developments, including potential electoral law changes, federal court rulings, and the fate of Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani's government. In this fluid environment, Iraq's Sunni leaders face a familiar dilemma: to compete or to coalesce. The answer, and its timing, may well determine the bloc's future relevance in a country still struggling to balance representation, stability, and reform.
Zawya
21-04-2025
- Business
- Zawya
Oman calls upon SMEs to register for new promotional guide
Muscat – The Authority for Small and Medium Enterprises Development (ASMED) has invited SMEs operating in Oman's café, restaurant, and hospitality sectors to register for a new promotional guide aimed at boosting the market visibility of Omani-owned brands. The initiative seeks to highlight businesses that are legally registered with ASMED and hold valid trademarks filed with the Intellectual Property Department at the Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Investment Promotion. Priority will be given to businesses that possess an Entrepreneurship Card. ASMED stated that only enterprises meeting strict criteria on food quality, cleanliness and brand identity will be included in the guide. 'The objective is to promote high-performing local brands and enhance their competitiveness within the domestic market,' the authority said. The initiative comes as the number of Omanis employed in the SME sector reached 192,714, according to the latest data shared by ASMED. A total of 64,436 SMEs were issued Entrepreneurship Cards in the second half of 2024. Looking ahead, ASMED aims to finance at least 300 enterprises across various sectors in 2025. The authority also reported that 400 financing requests were approved under the 'Azm' lending portfolio by the end of September 2024, with total disbursements exceeding RO37.6mn. In collaboration with the Development Bank, ASMED has launched nine financing programmes to support entrepreneurs in scaling their businesses locally and abroad. The programmes are also intended to encourage jobseekers and aspiring entrepreneurs to take advantage of new opportunities emerging within Oman's evolving business landscape. © Apex Press and Publishing Provided by SyndiGate Media Inc. (
Muscat Daily
21-04-2025
- Business
- Muscat Daily
Oman calls upon SMEs to register for new promotional guide
Muscat – The Authority for Small and Medium Enterprises Development (ASMED) has invited SMEs operating in Oman's café, restaurant, and hospitality sectors to register for a new promotional guide aimed at boosting the market visibility of Omani-owned brands. The initiative seeks to highlight businesses that are legally registered with ASMED and hold valid trademarks filed with the Intellectual Property Department at the Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Investment Promotion. Priority will be given to businesses that possess an Entrepreneurship Card. ASMED stated that only enterprises meeting strict criteria on food quality, cleanliness and brand identity will be included in the guide. 'The objective is to promote high-performing local brands and enhance their competitiveness within the domestic market,' the authority said. The initiative comes as the number of Omanis employed in the SME sector reached 192,714, according to the latest data shared by ASMED. A total of 64,436 SMEs were issued Entrepreneurship Cards in the second half of 2024. Looking ahead, ASMED aims to finance at least 300 enterprises across various sectors in 2025. The authority also reported that 400 financing requests were approved under the 'Azm' lending portfolio by the end of September 2024, with total disbursements exceeding RO37.6mn. In collaboration with the Development Bank, ASMED has launched nine financing programmes to support entrepreneurs in scaling their businesses locally and abroad. The programmes are also intended to encourage jobseekers and aspiring entrepreneurs to take advantage of new opportunities emerging within Oman's evolving business landscape.
Shafaq News
20-04-2025
- Politics
- Shafaq News
Over 1 million voters: Iraq's Al-Anbar prepares for high-stakes election
Shafaq News/ Former Speaker of Parliament Mohammed al-Halbousi is leading three electoral lists ahead of the upcoming November elections, a senior Iraqi official revealed on Sunday. Hikmat Suleiman, Secretary-General of the National Brotherhood (Ikhaa) Party, told Shafaq News that al-Halbousi leads 'Taqaddum,' 'Qimam,' and 'al-Sarh al-Watani," predicting these lists could secure between nine and eleven seats in the province, with additional contenders including the 'Azm' Coalition led by Muthanna al-Samurrai and another bloc aligned with Khamis al-Khanjar, whose final list configuration remains unclear. He expects smaller parties, including 'al-Taawun,' the Islamic Party, and the Tribal Mobilization, to run under a joint list. According to the Independent High Electoral Commission's Al-Anbar office, around 1.2 million voters are currently eligible to participate in the upcoming polls, with that number expected to rise in the coming months. A source familiar with the electoral landscape told Shafaq News that the use of political influence and financial power has already begun to shape early campaigning. 'There are near-daily meetings in tribal guesthouses,' the source said, noting that these gatherings include tribal figures and local political leaders. Campaign activity has also led to tensions on the ground. On April 5, a confrontation over campaign posters in Ramadi's Zangoura district escalated into a physical altercation, amid a charged atmosphere in which promotional materials begin appearing across the province. In the last parliamentary elections in 2021, Al-Anbar recorded a 43% turnout. Al-Halbousi's Taqaddum bloc secured 37 seats nationwide, second only to the Sadrist Movement's 73. Khamis al-Khanjar's faction of the Azm coalition won 14 seats, while the wing led by Muthanna al-Samarrai claimed 12. The Independent High Electoral Commission has confirmed that formal campaigning will begin shortly ahead of election day.
