Latest news with #Muqtadaal-Sadr
Shafaq News
14-05-2025
- Politics
- Shafaq News
Poisoned and suspicious: Al-Sadr slams Abrahamic religion initiative
Shafaq News/ Iraqi Patriotic Shiite Movement (Sadrist) leader Muqtada al-Sadr denounced, on Wednesday, the Abrahamic religion initiative, labeling it a 'poisoned and unconstructive project.' The initiative, also known as the Abrahamic family or Abrahamic religions project, seeks to foster interfaith dialogue and promote peaceful coexistence among the three monotheistic religions (Islam, Christianity, and Judaism). However, al-Sadr described it, in a statement, as a 'suspicious undertaking' that threatens to blur the doctrinal boundaries of the world's major monotheistic faiths. While acknowledging earlier conversations with proponents of the concept, he firmly rescinded any prior endorsement, outlining six conditions he believes are 'essential for genuine religious unity.' Chief among them is the recognition of Judaism, Christianity, and Islam as distinct, divinely inspired religions, each deserving full respect without being absorbed into a generalized or hybrid framework. Al-Sadr emphasized that the preservation of religious law and doctrine is 'non-negotiable,' warning against legislation that undermines sacred teachings. He also called for legal protections against blasphemy, urging the criminalization of offenses against prophets and saints. 'Those who do not recognize their sanctity cannot speak credibly of unity.' He further demanded international safeguards for religious texts, stating, 'Honoring a religion includes respecting its sacred texts.' Criticizing the initiative's philosophical foundation, al-Sadr accused its architects of attempting to dilute authentic Abrahamic traditions for the sake of a politically convenient construct. He pledged to release a comprehensive rebuttal exposing what he described as the 'flawed and deceptive logic' driving the project, cautioning against any attempt to impose it on societies without clear theological legitimacy. 'How can there be interfaith unity while wars rage, especially in Myanmar and Palestine? Stopping the bloodshed must come before advancing projects driven by narrow political interests,' he concluded.
Shafaq News
29-04-2025
- Politics
- Shafaq News
Iranian message on elections to CF parties: Unite, engage Al-Sadr
Shafaq News/ On Tuesday, Iraqi political sources said that leaders of the Coordination Framework — a coalition of Shi'ite political parties— have received an Iranian message regarding the upcoming parliamentary elections. According to the sources, the message urged Framework parties to try to persuade Muqtada al-Sadr, leader of the Patriotic Shi'ite Movement, to participate in the electoral process. The sources told Shafaq News Agency that the message, which arrived two days ago, emphasized the importance of preserving the unity of the Framework blocs and parties after the elections, warning against division caused by electoral competition. The message described such unity as essential for confronting the challenges expected in the next stage. Meanwhile, the sources noted that the message also urged Framework factions to avoid fragmentation into multiple lists and to maintain the unity of armed factions within a large electoral list in the parliamentary elections, to prevent their dispersal. Shifting Alliances Earlier on Tuesday, a knowledgeable source revealed that the 'Iraq Hawks Movement', led by Qassem al-Darraji, withdrew from the State of Law Coalition due to a halt in funding usually managed by the coalition's leader, Nouri al-Maliki. 'Electoral activity continues within the Shi'ite house to determine the lists that will participate in the upcoming elections,' the source added, noting that the Coordination Framework is expected to run with multiple lists, including the Furatain Current led by Prime Minister Mohammed Shia' al-Sudani. That list will include the Sanad Bloc, headed by Minister of Labour and Social Affairs Ahmed al-Asadi, and the Ataa Movement, led by Popular Mobilization Forces head Falih al-Fayyadh. The source said that the State of Law Coalition, headed by Maliki, will include the Dawa Party, Bashaer Movement led by Yasser al-Maliki, and the National Approach (Al-Nahj Al-Watani). Meanwhile, the Victory Alliance is expected to include the Wisdom Movement [Tayyar Al-Hikma], led by Ammar al-Hakim, and the Victory Coalition, led by Haider al-Abadi, along with several smaller independent forces. Asaib Ahl al-Haq is expected to run on a separate list, which could also attract other groups. The source indicated that the Framework's decision to run through separate lists is aimed at maximizing the number of parliamentary seats and assessing the electoral and political strength of each party or movement. He confirmed that alliance arrangements are still under negotiation and may change based on electoral interests. Independent Lists On Saturday, the Coordination Framework announced its intention to participate in the upcoming parliamentary elections, scheduled for November 11, with three electoral lists that include all the political blocs within the alliance. A source within the Framework told Shafaq News Agency that its main forces agreed to participate in the elections with three distinct lists spread across different regions of the country, aiming to win the largest possible number of votes and secure a parliamentary majority that would ease the process of forming a government. According to the source, these lists may win more seats than the Framework currently holds. In a related statement, Alawi Ne'ma al-Bandawi, a member of the parliamentary Security and Defense Committee, said that the Framework will divide itself into more than one electoral list to secure the highest number of parliamentary seats and then form a significant political coalition capable of forming the government with ease. Bandawi expressed confidence that the Framework's lists could secure a Shi'ite majority that would facilitate the formation of a strong national government. He emphasized that this approach does not aim to exclude others, as the Framework does not believe in exclusionary policies, but rather supports participation in the electoral process and commitment to constitutional entitlements. Amid preparations by Shi'ite forces for the elections, there has been increasing pressure on armed factions to integrate into the Popular Mobilization Forces, in what some sources describe as a shift toward full political engagement. This comes as the United States has warned of further sanctions on Iran-linked individuals and factions and has called on the Iraqi government to enforce state control over weapons.
Shafaq News
29-04-2025
- Politics
- Shafaq News
Shadow ballot: Iraq's November geopolitical chess game
Shafaq News/ The upcoming Iraqi parliamentary elections, slated for November 11, 2025, are shaping up to be more than a domestic political contest. In the background looms the persistent shadow of a high-stakes geopolitical tug-of-war between the United States and Iran. Both powers—deeply entrenched in Iraq's political and security matrix—see the vote as a critical inflection point to either reinforce or recalibrate their influence over Baghdad's direction. With a fragile security environment, a fatigued electorate, and a fragmented political elite, the elections risk becoming a flashpoint for renewed contestation rather than a path toward institutional stability. The future of Iraq's sovereignty, the fate of armed non-state actors, and the viability of democratic governance are all on the ballot—albeit indirectly. Iraq: Proxy Chessboard Since 2003 Since the 2003 US invasion, Iraq has served as a theater for external influence, with Tehran and Washington emerging as primary patrons to rival factions. While American policymakers still view Iraq through the prism of counterterrorism and regional balance, Iran sees its western neighbor as a strategic buffer zone—a vital node in the "Axis of Resistance" stretching from Tehran to Beirut. The upcoming elections offer a moment of recalibration. For the US, it's an opportunity to empower centrist, nationalist forces and reduce the footprint of Iran-aligned armed factions. For Iran, the priority lies in preserving influence through political alliances, faction integration, and economic entrenchment. Both strategies are playing out simultaneously, often through competing electoral alliances, legal maneuvers, and behind-the-scenes diplomacy. Tehran's Quiet Manoeuvring Iran enters these elections with its traditional toolbox: a network of Shiite parties, the Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF), and quiet diplomacy through its consulate system and Quds Force operatives. Tehran's influence is most deeply embedded within the Shiite Coordination Framework—a bloc characterized by its opposition to the Patriotic Shiite Movement led by Muqtada al-Sadr. The CF functions as a significant political entity, involves negotiating collectively with the Iraqi government on diverse issues and wielding influence as a potential "blocking third" in parliament, capable of obstructing government formation if its interests are disregarded. The main CF parties are the State of Law, led by Nouri Al-Maliki; Fatah Alliance, led by Hadi al-Ameri; Asaib Ahl al-haq led by Qais Al-Khazali, and Al-Hikma Movement, led by Ammar Al-Hakim. Despite growing public fatigue with armed actors, these parties remain electorally viable due to well-established patronage networks and control over local security dynamics in southern and central Iraq. However, Tehran has adopted a more measured tone in recent months, reportedly encouraging its allies to scale back anti-American rhetoric and emphasize state-building and economic recovery in campaign messaging. "Iran is playing a longer game," said a senior Western diplomat based in Baghdad. "They know that raw militancy is no longer sellable to the Iraqi public, especially post-October 2019 protests. Their bet is on institutionalizing influence, not flaunting it." Iranian officials have also engaged in shuttle diplomacy, discreetly meeting with Kurdish and Sunni leaders to ensure post-election alliances do not marginalize Tehran's axis. US Strategy: Minimalist but Targeted The Trump administration's Iraq policy has largely revolved around containment—of Iranian influence, of renewed ISIS activity, and of political instability. Unlike earlier eras of direct state-building, today's US approach is minimalist but strategic. It supports Iraq's Independent High Electoral Commission (IHEC) and engages in quiet support for security sector reform. American diplomats have also been actively encouraging Shiite cleric Muqtada al-Sadr and Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani to maintain a neutral stance on regional conflicts, particularly regarding the Gaza war and Iranian-Israeli tensions. US officials see these elections as a chance to empower moderate factions within al-Sudani's government, many of whom have signaled a willingness to gradually bring all armed groups under state control. A senior US official told Al-Monitor on condition of anonymity, "We are not trying to pick winners and losers. We are focused on process integrity and on ensuring the outcome doesn't escalate violence or empower spoilers." Still, US military presence remains a sensitive topic. Although combat forces have been reduced, American bases continue to draw occasional rocket fire from Iran-linked groups, who may ramp up attacks if the electoral outcome is perceived as unfavorable to Tehran. Fragmentation Within Shiite Politics The Shiite political landscape is undergoing profound fragmentation. While the Coordination Framework remains the most cohesive bloc, rifts have widened between more pragmatic wings—such as Hadi al-Amiri's Badr Organization—and ideological hardliners like Qais al-Khazali's Asa'ib Ahl al-Haq. These tensions are mirrored in the broader competition for control over the PMF's future. Muqtada al-Sadr's ambiguous political posture adds further uncertainty. Though he withdrew from formal politics following the 2022 crisis, his grassroots movement remains potent. Whether he calls for a boycott, passive endorsement, or direct engagement could shift voter turnout significantly in the South. Kurdish and Sunni Roles as Kingmakers In the north and west, the electoral landscape remains equally fluid. Kurdish politics are fractured between the KDP and PUK, with Iranian and Turkish influences pulling each side in divergent directions. Meanwhile, Sunni factions—led by Mohammed al-Halbousi and Khamis al-Khanjar—are recalibrating their alliances in anticipation of post-election coalition bargaining. Both Tehran and Washington have quietly courted Sunni leaders, recognizing their kingmaker potential in forming the next government. However, many Sunni voters remain disillusioned, skeptical that either foreign patron can meaningfully address their economic or security grievances. Security Concerns and Election Integrity The election will unfold under a heavy security footprint. IHEC and the Iraqi Security Forces are preparing contingency plans for armed violence, assassination attempts, and cyber manipulation. Given the experiences of 2021 and 2018, voter turnout is expected to be low, especially in urban centers where trust in political parties has cratered. Observers worry that contested results could trigger another wave of unrest. "There is a real danger of localized violence if any group feels disenfranchised," said a researcher at the Iraqi Institute for Strategic Studies. "The risk is not national collapse, but slow-motion fragmentation." Two Paths After the Vote If nationalist and moderate Shiite forces secure a workable majority, and Kurdish-Sunni blocs agree to power-sharing, Iraq could enter a phase of cautious stability. The PMF may be incrementally absorbed into state structures, and both the US and Iran might tolerate a status quo. If the elections result in a deadlock or perceived marginalization of key players, armed group attacks and popular protests could resume. In this case, both Tehran and Washington may double down on hardline proxies, risking further destabilization. The November vote, then, is more than a national referendum—it is a geopolitical litmus test. Whether Iraq emerges with a stronger central state or sinks deeper into fragmented sovereignty will depend not only on ballots cast but also on the maneuverings in Tehran, Washington, and the corridors of Baghdad's Green Zone.
Shafaq News
28-04-2025
- Politics
- Shafaq News
Iraq elections: Al-Sadr's boycott 'Not Final'
Shafaq News/ The leader of Iraq's Patriotic Shiite Movement (Sadrist), Muqtada al-Sadr, is considering an indirect path to participate in the November parliamentary elections, a source close to him revealed on Monday. Speaking to Shafaq News, the source indicated that al-Sadr's election boycott is 'not final' and could shift based on political developments over the next two months. 'Plans are being discussed within al-Sadr's inner circle in al-Hanana [al-Sadr's headquarters in Najaf] to form a Sadrist-aligned electoral list—similar to the 'Sairoon' alliance previously used—without his direct endorsement,' the source clarified, pointing out that the list could be registered shortly before the nomination deadline. Last March, al-Sadr announced his decision to refrain from participating in the elections, reaffirming his 2022 withdrawal from politics after his bloc's resignation from parliament over corruption allegations. However, speculation over his potential return has persisted. His call for supporters to update their voter registrations and quiet outreach efforts by several political blocs to gauge his position have fueled renewed discussion about his possible involvement.
Shafaq News
26-04-2025
- Politics
- Shafaq News
Police outnumbered: Sadrists stage jailbreak in Iraq's Najaf
Shafaq News/ Dozens of supporters of Shiite cleric Muqtada al-Sadr, the head of the Patriotic Shiite Movement (Sadrists), surrounded a police station in central Najaf late Friday night, freeing four detainees affiliated with al-Sadr's movement, a security source told Shafaq News. The source, speaking on condition of anonymity, said the confrontation erupted after security forces arrested four members of Saraya al-Salam, the armed wing of the Movement. The men were detained while attempting to raise flags representing the Movement atop al-Zahraa bridges in the center of the city, leading to a verbal altercation with police. 'Later, more than 200 Sadrists gathered and besieged the Maysan neighborhood police station,' the source said. 'They managed to forcibly release the detainees after surrounding the building.' The security source added that police forces were overwhelmed by the size of the crowd and were unable to regain control of the situation or re-arrest the freed individuals.
