Latest news with #NationalWisdomMovement
Shafaq News
17-07-2025
- Politics
- Shafaq News
Iraqi leaders mourn victims of Wasit fire
Shafaq News – Wasit (Updated: 11:47) On Thursday, Grand Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani, Iraq's top Shia cleric, offered condolences to the families of those killed in a devastating fire in Wasit province. In a statement, Ayatollah al-Sistani expressed deep sorrow over the 'tragic fire,' which claimed dozens of lives and left many others injured. He prayed for mercy upon the victims and strength for their grieving families. بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم(إنا لله وإنا اليه راجعون)أعزاءنا أهالي الكوت الكرامالسلام عليكم ورحمة الله وبركاتهوبعد: فقد تلقينا بمزيد من الأسى والأسف نبأ حادث الحريق المفجع في أحد مراكز التسوق بمدينتكم العزيزة، الذي أودى بحياة العشرات من روّاده وتسبب في إصابة أعداد كبيرة أخرى،… — العتبة الحسينية المقدسة (@imamhussainorg) July 17, 2025 Meanwhile, National Wisdom Movement (Al-Hikma) leader Ammar al-Hakim condemned what he called a 'recurring pattern of neglect,' urging authorities to address Iraq's chronic lack of safety measures and to hold those responsible accountable. For Muqtada al-Sadr, head of the Patriotic Shiite Movement (PSM), the tragedy exposed deeper systemic failures. 'The disaster exposes their corruption,' he said, referring to the country's political class. The Dhi Qar Provincial Council also expressed profound sorrow, and in honor of the victims, the council declared a three-day official mourning period. The blaze erupted early Thursday inside a large hypermarket in the city of Kut. Witnesses said the flames spread rapidly, trapping dozens of shoppers and employees inside. According to the Interior Ministry, 61 civilians were killed—most of them from smoke inhalation after being trapped in bathrooms. Fourteen bodies were burned beyond recognition. Civil Defense teams rescued more than 45 others in what officials described as a 'heroic effort.' In response, Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani ordered an immediate and thorough investigation to determine the cause of the fire and identify any negligence. He also dispatched a fully equipped emergency medical team to support hospitals treating the injured. وجّه رئيس مجلس الوزراء السيد محمد شياع السوداني، السيد وزير الداخلية بالتواجد الميداني في موقع حادث الحريق المؤسف في مدينة الكوت، والتحقيق الفوري في الأسباب والظروف المحيطة، وإجراء تحقيق فني دقيق لكشف أوجه التقصير، واتخاذ كل ما يلزم من إجراءات صارمة لمنع تكرار مثل هذه الحوادث.… — المكتب الإعلامي لرئيس الوزراء 🇮🇶 (@IraqiPMO) July 17, 2025
Shafaq News
11-07-2025
- Politics
- Shafaq News
Iraq's political crossroads: Al-Sadr's boycott, Al-Hakim's mediation
As Iraq prepares for its parliamentary elections in November 2025, an uncertainty surrounds the political scene: Will influential Shiite leader Muqtada al-Sadr participate, or will his boycott continue to shape the electoral process—and its legitimacy? Al-Sadr's firm stance, grounded in his demand for sweeping reforms and an end to entrenched corruption, has not wavered. His absence threatens to depress voter turnout and undercut the credibility of the elections. Meanwhile, rival Shiite factions have turned to a seasoned intermediary—Ammar al-Hakim—in a last-ditch effort to bring the powerful cleric back into the fold. Al-Sadr's Position: Non-Negotiable Demands? Al-Sadr has reiterated, in increasingly stark terms, his refusal to engage in what he describes as a fundamentally corrupt political process. His withdrawal from parliament in June 2022, when his movement relinquished 73 seats, was just the beginning of a broader political retreat. Since then, Al-Sadr has maintained a consistent message: 'the current system cannot be salvaged without radical reform.' In a statement issued last Friday, he outlined a set of stringent conditions that he views as prerequisites for any potential return to the political process. Central among them is the disarmament of all 'militias' and the transfer of their weapons to the control of the state. He also called for the reinforcement of the country's official military and police institutions, underscoring the need for a unified, state-run security apparatus. Additionally, Al-Sadr emphasized the importance of preserving Iraq's independence by rejecting all forms of external alignment or influence. Finally, he demanded comprehensive anti-corruption measures, including the prosecution of officials involved in graft and the dismantling of the entrenched systems that enable it. These stipulations reflect a maximalist position that few believe Iraq's entrenched political class is prepared to meet. His rhetoric portrays a country in existential decline, once warning that Iraq is 'living its last breaths'—a sentiment that resonates with segments of a disillusioned public. Al-Hakim's Mediation: A Narrow Path In response to Al-Sadr's absence, the Shiite Coordination Framework has quietly enlisted Ammar al-Hakim, head of the National Wisdom Movement (Al-Hikma), to mediate. Al-Hakim, whose political base lies in Baghdad's Al-Jaderiyah district, is viewed as one of the few figures with enough credibility and political capital to potentially engage with al-Sadr. Yet the odds are stacked against him. Political analyst Ali Hussein al-Fatlawi, affiliated with the State Support Alliance, told Shafaq News that 'Al-Sadr's vision is fundamentally incompatible with the Coordination Framework.' He argued that the ideological divide is too vast, and that al-Hakim's role, while symbolic, is unlikely to yield concrete results. Atheer al-Sharaa, another political analyst, echoed this skepticism. In remarks to Shafaq News, he pointed to Al-Sadr's consistent messages via his X account, emphasizing the cleric's resolve. 'His conditions are painful and, in some cases, unachievable,' said al-Sharaa, particularly the demand for armed factions to disarm, many of which are integral to the Coordination Framework's power base. Strategic Stakes and Electoral Consequences Al-Sadr's continued boycott carries profound electoral consequences. His political base commands a loyal following, and his absence from the ballot could siphon over a million votes from the system. Al-Fatlawi warned that such a shortfall would significantly lower turnout, and undermining the election's credibility. But the stakes go beyond numbers. Al-Sharaa raised concerns that mass Sadrist mobilizations—particularly during religious events like the Ashura pilgrimage in Karbala—could evolve into political demonstrations. Such scenarios, especially in Baghdad, 'risk destabilizing the electoral timetable and may even force a postponement.' Tensions escalated further when the al-Nasr Coalition, led by former Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi, announced its withdrawal from the election process, citing similar concerns over corruption and the lack of electoral reform. This move highlighted the growing disillusionment within even the establishment political blocs. Expert Views: A Political Process 'In A Maze' Ali al-Saheb, a political analyst revealed to Shafaq News that Sadr's demands apply broadly—not just to rival factions but also to his armed group, Saraya al-Salam, and even the Kurdish Peshmerga. This rare consistency, he argued, "illustrates Al-Sadr's sincerity but also reinforces the unlikelihood of compromise." 'The political process has entered a maze,' al-Saheb warned, pointing to the closure of candidate registration and the lack of a roadmap for real reforms. 'Unless a breakthrough occurs, either through external mediation or internal restructuring, Iraq may face either a contested election or another postponement. An Unstable Path to the Ballot Box The months leading to the November 2025 elections are shaping up to be among the most turbulent in Iraq's post-2003 political history. Al-Sadr's continued boycott not only deprives the elections of legitimacy but also weakens the broader system's capacity to absorb dissent and project stability. While al-Hakim's mediation remains the Coordination Framework's last viable channel, the deep ideological rift and non-negotiable demands leave little room for optimism.
Shafaq News
07-06-2025
- Politics
- Shafaq News
Iraq elections: Al-Hakim cautions against 'vote-buying'
Shafaq News/ National Wisdom Movement (al-Hikma) leader Ammar al-Hakim warned, on Saturday, against the use of 'illicit political funds' in Iraq's upcoming parliamentary elections. Delivering the Eid al-Adha sermon in Baghdad, al-Hakim described the November 11 vote as a 'historic opportunity' for Iraq's democratic process and a milestone marking the endurance of the political system over the past 20 years. He urged political blocs to reject corruption, power abuse, and vote-buying, proposing a 'national honor charter' to prevent the misuse of public funds for electoral purposes. 'Turning elections into a market where candidates and voters are bought is forbidden wealth and a betrayal of the nation.' Al-Hakim also pushed for fair competition and broad voter turnout, emphasizing that future governments must emerge from free and transparent elections. Directing his message at young Iraqis, he encouraged them to vote, stay alert, and choose candidates committed to reform. 'Don't let anyone steal your voice or distort your choice.' On the electricity crisis, al-Hakim called for a 'state of strategic emergency,' criticizing the government's repeated 'failures' and demanding clarity on causes and accountability. He also urged officials to prioritize reforms in agriculture, water management, and renewable energy. 'Iraqis deserve a dignified life that begins with fixing electricity and moves toward technological progress,' he concluded.
Iraqi News
14-05-2025
- Politics
- Iraqi News
Al-Sudani meets with Head of the National Wisdom Movement
Baghdad-INA Prime Minister Mohammed S. Al-Sudani met today, Tuesday, with the Head of the National Wisdom Movement, Sayyid Ammar Al-Hakim. The Prime Minister's media office said in a statement received by the Iraqi News Agency (INA):' The meeting included a review of key local and regional developments, as well as the ongoing preparations for hosting the Arab Summit and the importance of holding it in the capital, Baghdad. Discussions emphasized the opportunity to leverage the summit to reaffirm Iraq's pivotal regional role and its commitment to a balanced foreign policy that serves mutual interests. They also discussed the continued implementation of the government program and the advancement of development, service, and economic projects to fulfill the aspirations of citizens across all Iraqi provinces.
Shafaq News
23-04-2025
- Politics
- Shafaq News
Al-Hakim: Iraq suffers most from US-Iran conflict
Shafaq News/ On Wednesday, Ammar al-Hakim, leader of Iraq's National Wisdom Movement (Al-Hikma), urged deeper engagement with Syria and outlined why Iraq was bypassed as a venue for nuclear talks between the United States and Iran. Speaking at the Sin Dialogue Forum in Baghdad, al-Hakim explained that Iran chose Oman over Iraq due to Muscat's neutrality, despite Baghdad's balanced ties with both Washington and Tehran. 'Iraq is the first to benefit from understanding and the first to suffer from tension between them,' he observed. He defended Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani's recent meeting with Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa in Qatar, framing it as a government-level decision. Although the Coordination Framework (CF) was not consulted, 'That doesn't imply exclusion,' he noted. Al-Hakim stressed Iraq's interest in preserving ties with Syria, citing the protection of religious sites and support for Iraqi communities. He clarified that Damascus' invitation to the upcoming Arab League summit in Baghdad follows established league protocols, not host country discretion. Turning to domestic affairs, al-Hakim reported that efforts to integrate armed groups into state institutions are advancing, backed by the CF and the State Administration Coalition. 'Recognizing and incorporating these groups strengthens state legitimacy.' He also weighed in on electoral reforms, pointing out that the current law favors mid-sized parties, confirming that the CF has formed a committee to manage internal competition and added that leadership decisions, including a possible second term for the prime minister, would be determined by election results. On Shiite cleric Muqtada al-Sadr's decision to abstain from the elections, al-Hakim described it as a political right. 'If he insists on abstaining, we respect his decision,' he remarked, while noting that al-Sadr's participation could significantly influence voter turnout.
