Latest news with #Qaisal-Khazali
Shafaq News
3 days ago
- Politics
- Shafaq News
Asaib Ahl al-Haq leader denies role in Kurdistan salary crisis
Shafaq News/ On Saturday, Asaib Ahl al-Haq leader Qais al-Khazali pushed back against Kurdish media reports implicating him to the federal government's salary freeze in the Kurdistan Region, calling the claims 'false.' Delivering Eid al-Adha sermon, al-Khazali referenced official data showing poverty rates in Kurdistan surpassing the national average and attributed the rising number of Kurdish refugees abroad to repeated salary delays. 'Employees in the Region have yet to receive their pay.' He emphasized equal rights and responsibilities for all Iraqis but criticized some Kurdish leaders for what he described as 'weak commitment' to national unity, asserting, 'Many in Kurdistan's leadership are not fully invested in a unified Iraq.' Turning to broader challenges, al-Khazali blamed post-2003 governments for 'failing' to improve essential services despite Iraq's wealth, stressing the need for genuine reform. 'The country is on the path to healing, but it needs sincere efforts from all who hold responsibility.' He also warned of unprecedented electricity shortages this summer, blaming past administrations for focusing only on boosting output while ignoring energy conservation. 'There's been no serious effort to promote responsible consumption,' he argued, cautioning that political actors may exploit the crisis. On water scarcity, al-Khazali highlighted record-low river levels—the worst since 1930 — and urged immediate support for farmers in southern Iraq, calling for compensation and long-term solutions to prevent rural economic collapse.
Shafaq News
22-04-2025
- Politics
- Shafaq News
CF on the brink: Disputes divide Iraqi bloc
Shafaq News/ Divisions have deepened within Iraq's Shiite Coordination Framework (CF) following a tense meeting, marked by absences and disagreements over relations with Syria and upcoming parliamentary elections. A source from the bloc told Shafaq News that Qais al-Khazali, leader of Asaib Ahl al-Haq, did not attend, while Nouri al-Maliki, head of the State of Law Coalition, left early due to disputes, particularly over Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani's push to expand ties with the government of Syrian Transitional President Ahmad al-Shara. Al-Sudani defended the move, saying closer cooperation with Damascus would improve border security, curb ISIS infiltration, and reduce US pressure. Separately, plans for a new electoral bloc, Tahaluf Qarar (Decision Alliance), have unraveled before its formal launch. Disagreements between al-Sudani and Hadi al-Ameri led to a decision to contest the November 11 vote on separate lists, sources said. Talks with Sanad bloc leader Ahmad al-Asadi also broke down amid disputes over the leadership of the Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF) and a now-withdrawn draft law on the group. The alliance was to include Sudani's al-Furatin bloc, al-Amiri's Badr Organization, and PMF chief Faleh al-Fayyad. Further talks were held with al-Asadi, Kataib Sayyid al-Shuhada leader Abu Ala al-Wala'i, and the Huqooq bloc, linked to Kataib Hezbollah. Growing friction has led groups such as State of Law, Asaib Ahl al-Haq, and the Wisdom Movement (Tayyar al-Hikma) to consider running independently, while leaving the door open to post-election unification. As Shiite factions prepare for the vote, pressure is mounting on armed groups to fully integrate into the PMF, part of what sources described as a shift toward 'full political engagement.' The developments come amid US threats of further sanctions on Iran-aligned groups and renewed calls for Iraq to enforce state control over all weapons.
Rudaw Net
01-04-2025
- Politics
- Rudaw Net
Khazali says Israel seeks to ‘separate' Kurdish territories in Iraq, Syria
Also in Iraq Baghdad captures major drug dealer amid ongoing anti-narcotics efforts Tribal violence leaves 1 killed, 8 injured in Basra Mission of global coalition forces in Iraq to end by 2026: Security Media Cell Iraq to begin implementing land return law 'within two months:' Minister A+ A- SULAIMANI, Kurdistan Region - Qais al-Khazali, leader of the Iran-backed Asaib Ahl al-Haq (AAH), said on Monday that Israel's main objective in allegedly reshaping the Middle East is to 'support the separation' of Kurdish territories in Iraq and Syria. Delivering an Eid al-Fitr sermon, Khazali stated that Israel's so-called 'David Corridor,' a project aimed at expanding Israeli control to the Euphrates River, involves 'parts of the Iraqi borders and Iraqi lands.' 'Its goal … is to reach the Kurdish lands in Iraq and Syria, considering the ongoing cooperation [between Israel and the Kurds],' Khazali alleged, adding that the plan involves supporting the Kurds to separate from Iraq and Syria. 'The Israeli incursion and occupation of Syrian territory… are primarily aimed at realizing their ambitions to occupy Syrian territory and achieve the greater goal of reaching the Euphrates River,' he continued. The Kurdish-controlled territories in northeast Syria (Rojava) run along the Euphrates River, with the southeastern part under the control of the new Syrian administration headed by President Ahmad al-Sharaa. Khazali's comments come amid increasing Israeli incursions into Syria. AAH is designated as a 'terrorist organization' by Washington because of its alleged ties to Iran and attacks on US and coalition forces. Israel in Syria In late March, a deadly Israeli airstrike on the southern province of Daraa drew international condemnation from regional and global powers such as Germany, Jordan, Qatar, and Saudi Arabia. The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) said it was targeting 'several terrorists who opened fire toward them,' adding that they launched airstrikes on two military bases in Syria's central Homs province to destroy "military capabilities" in the area. Damascus said six were killed in the Daraa attack. Geir Pedersen, the UN special envoy for Syria, expressed concern in the Security Council on Tuesday about 'Israeli statements on its intention to stay in Syria' and its demands for southern Syria to be demilitarized. Since Assad's ouster in early December, Israel has scrambled to destroy Damascus's military stockpiles. It also sent troops across the border into a buffer zone east of the annexed Golan Heights, justifying the move as a precaution amid the political instability in Syria. Throughout the Syrian civil war, as well, Israel carried out hundreds of strikes, often justifying them under the pretext of targeting pro-Iran armed groups, such as Lebanon's Hezbollah, which supported toppled president Bashar al-Assad at the time. In early February, Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar urged Syria's new rulers to respect minority rights, including those of the Druze, Kurds, and Alawites. Minorities in Syria In early March, however, Damascus faced widespread condemnation after a violent crackdown on Assad loyalists in the coastal Alawite-majority areas, where at least 1,500 people were killed - mostly civilians - according to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights war monitor. The Kurds in Rojava and the Druze in southern Syria have been firm in demanding decentralization in post-Bashar al-Assad Syria, despite Damascus rejecting federalism and at times calling it a 'red line.' Mazloum Abdi, the commander of the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) - the de facto army of northeast Syria (Rojava) - said in early March that he would not reject Israeli support if offered. His remarks were in response to a comment by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who had earlier expressed openness to support minorities in Syria, namely the Druze and the Kurds. AAH in Iraq AAH has also taken a firm stance on domestic political and security matters. In September, Khazali rejected the United States' delivery of a number of 105mm howitzers to the Peshmerga forces in August, which the Iraqi defense ministry said at the time was approved by previous federal cabinets. Khazali said it is "important to correct this mistake by returning them [the artillery] to the federal army." Meanwhile, in early March, AAH boycotted a parliamentary session of the Iraqi parliament in protest of the exclusion of a contentious law from the agenda that aims to regulate the Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF) structure, salaries, and retirement policies. The State of Law Coalition, led by former Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki and Khazali's AAH, are among the most influential Shiite political parties in Iraq, both maintaining strong ties to Iran and advocating for the institutionalization of the PMF, which is composed of various armed factions - some of which have close ties to Iran. The PMF was established in 2014 during the Islamic State's (ISIS) rise to power, which saw the group seize control of large parts of Iraq's north and west. The group was created following a fatwa, a religious edict, by Iraq's highest Shiite authority, Grand Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani to protect the country's holy Shiite sites in the southern Najaf and Karbala provinces Following the Kurdish referendum in 2017 and the defeat of ISIS, the northern oil-rich province of Kirkuk, which was largely controlled by the Kurdish Peshmerga, was expelled and taken over by the PMF. The province is disputed between Baghdad and Erbil.
Shafaq News
21-03-2025
- Politics
- Shafaq News
Money, power, and ballots: Iraq's struggle against electoral fraud
Shafaq News/ As Iraq prepares for its 2025 parliamentary elections, political factions are locked in a dispute over proposed electoral amendments, with deep divisions in Parliament threatening to stall reforms. While some blocs push for stricter regulations to safeguard the vote, others resist changes, raising concerns over the system's vulnerability to political influence. Honest or Rigged? Iraq's electoral process has long been marred by controversy. While the Independent High Electoral Commission (IHEC) maintains that elections are free and fair, opposition voices and international observers frequently raise concerns over fraud, vote-buying, and political pressure, casting doubt on the legitimacy of results. Power Reigns, Money Talks, Democracy Chokes Wealth plays a decisive role in Iraq's elections, with parties spending large sums to sway voters. Electoral monitors report widespread vote-buying, particularly in economically disadvantaged areas. In 2018, an IHEC-backed study found that candidates offered between $50 and $500 per vote, while in rural areas, incentives such as food baskets, household appliances, and prepaid phone cards were common. This trend persisted in 2021. An Al-Bayan Center investigation estimated that over $250 million was spent on vote-buying and campaign financing. Reports from Baghdad indicated voters were offered between $100 and $300 for their voter cards, which were then used for fraudulent ballots. Some were even instructed to photograph their completed ballots to verify compliance before receiving payment. Despite these tactics, electoral outcomes have remained unpredictable, sparking disputes over alleged tampering. The 2021 elections were particularly contentious, with accusations of electronic voting system manipulation. The Patriotic Shiite Movement (formerly the Sadrist Movement), secured 73 seats, while the Iran-aligned Al-Fatah Alliance saw its representation plummet from 48 seats in 2018 to just 17. Al-Fatah leader Hadi al-Amiri rejected the results, declaring, 'We will not accept these fabricated results, whatever the cost.' Asaib Ahl al-Haq leader Qais al-Khazali also condemned the elections as 'the worst in Iraq's modern history.' In 2022, al-Sadr ordered his 73-seat parliamentary bloc to resign from parliament. He also decided to withdraw from the political process to avoid involvement with "corrupt" politicians. The Shiite leader, who enjoys widespread support among Iraqis, said he would not participate in the next elections if "the corrupt" take part. Beyond direct vote-buying, political factions have leveraged state institutions for electoral gain. In 2021, parties used state-owned media for biased coverage, distributed government aid in exchange for votes, and appointed public-sector employees based on political loyalty. The Ministry of Electricity issued at least 25,000 temporary employment contracts before the election, many of which were terminated afterward. Additionally, over 70,000 government job contracts were awarded in the months leading up to the vote, raising concerns that employment opportunities were exchanged for political support. Public land allocation has also been exploited. In 2021, thousands of land plots were distributed to tribal leaders and influential figures in exchange for electoral backing. A parliamentary investigation estimated over 15,000 land grants were issued before the vote, primarily benefiting individuals with strong political ties. Political analyst Aqil al-Fatlawi cautioned, 'Without reforms, elections could produce unfair results that fail to reflect the will of the people. Some figures use financial and political influence to dominate the electoral landscape, and we must address this imbalance.'' 'This creates an unfair playing field, disadvantaging those without such resources. We want to ensure a level of competition,' he added. Intimidation Wins Seats Financial influence is not the only concern. In regions such as Diyala, Kirkuk, and Nineveh, armed groups linked to political factions have threatened candidates and disrupted opposition campaigns. Human Rights Watch documented incidents in 2018 where campaign materials were destroyed, party offices attacked, and candidates pressured to withdraw. The 2021 elections followed a similar pattern, with independent candidates facing significant risks. The assassination of activist and political candidate Ehab al-Wazni in Karbala was widely seen as politically motivated, deterring others from challenging established power structures. Reports also emerged of polling station interference, with power outages disrupting vote counting and polling officials pressured to manipulate results. Even IHEC, the body responsible for overseeing elections, has faced repeated accusations of political infiltration. After fraud allegations in 2018, a manual ballot recount revealed significant discrepancies, with nearly 12% of ballot boxes in Baghdad showing irregularities. The 2021 elections faced similar scrutiny, with observers noting delays in announcing results and unauthorized access to election data centers by party-affiliated officials. These irregularities led to mass protests as losing candidates questioned the legitimacy of the vote. A Push for Fairer Elections To enhance electoral integrity, IHEC has introduced reforms, including biometric voter registration with fingerprint and facial recognition to prevent duplicate registrations and fraudulent voting. By 2023, over 80% of eligible voters had registered biometrically, compared to 64% before the 2021 elections. IHEC spokesperson Jumana al-Ghalib emphasized, 'Biometric registration has closed many loopholes previously exploited by political actors. While no system is perfect, we have significantly reduced the chances of voter fraud.' However, election watchdogs warn that biometric registration alone cannot eliminate external coercion. Observer Ali al-Tamimi pointed out, 'Party-affiliated groups collect voter cards ahead of elections, promising financial incentives in exchange for loyalty. Biometric systems ensure voters are real, but they don't eliminate external pressure.' To improve vote counting, Iraq has enhanced electronic tallying with real-time tracking, encrypted data transmission, and monitoring mechanisms. IHEC's 2024 report noted a 35% reduction in vote-counting disputes compared to 2018. Iraq has also expanded international election observation. In 2021, the United Nations deployed 150 observers across key regions. While the UN acknowledged procedural improvements, concerns over political intimidation and financial influence persisted. IHEC now aims to increase international oversight to at least 300 monitors for 2025. Yet, analysts warn of limitations. Political expert Haidar al-Kindi argued that while monitors document violations, 'they have no enforcement power. Fraud often occurs outside polling stations through intimidation and vote buying, which are difficult to detect in real-time.' Voting System Overhaul As Iraq approaches the 2025 parliamentary elections, the debate over potential changes to the voting system continues to intensify. One proposal suggests an 80/20 or 90/10 model, where 10% or 20% of seats would be directly elected, while the remaining seats would be allocated using the Sainte-Laguë proportional representation method. This change aims to reduce the advantage of wealthy candidates and dominant political factions. Electoral reform advocate Aqil al-Fatlawi emphasized, "A politically influential figure can use their wealth to fund extensive campaigns, organize events, and dominate media coverage. Our goal is to ensure fair competition for all candidates." However, not everyone supports this shift. Saad al-Mutairi argued that the real issue lies not with the electoral system itself but with weak enforcement. "Changing the method of seat allocation will not prevent fraud. The real problem is the lack of accountability for those who use illegal means to secure votes," he stated. Another proposal involves redrawing electoral districts. Iraq's transition to a multi-district system in 2021 divided the country into 83 districts, replacing the previous province-wide model. Critics argue that wealthy candidates still dominate by using their resources across multiple districts. A new plan suggests dividing each province into two districts, with Baghdad receiving four. This would encourage more localized electoral competition. Election analyst Layth al-Khafaji pointed out the disparities in campaign financing, "In provinces like Basra and Nineveh, some candidates receive millions of dollars from powerful parties or external backers, while independents struggle to fund basic campaign activities. Redrawing districts could level the playing field by making elections more localized." Despite these proposals, no formal amendments to the electoral law have been made. Election expert Saad al-Rawi noted that, while discussions on reforms have been ongoing since 2023, political disagreements have prevented any real progress. Similarly, Ibrahim al-Anbaki, a member of the parliamentary legal committee, confirmed that there is "no real intention" to amend the law shortly. He explained that discussions within the legal committee or the State Administration Coalition have not taken place, adding, "The majority opinion favors keeping the current law unchanged." Political analyst Abdullah Shalash Al-Kinani criticized the current system, suggesting that dissolving parliament could be a beneficial move due to its inefficiency. He pointed out that many lawmakers are more preoccupied with personal and financial concerns than fulfilling their legislative responsibilities. Al-Kinani emphasized the importance of judicial oversight in any reforms, urging the inclusion of legal experts and academics to guarantee fairness. "Reform must be guided by expertise to ensure it serves the people's best interests," he added.
Iraqi News
20-03-2025
- Politics
- Iraqi News
Al-Khazali and Foreign Minister Stress Need to Intensify Diplomatic Efforts
Baghdad - INA Secretary-General of the Asa'ib Ahl al-Haq Movement, Sheikh Qais al-Khazali, and Foreign Minister Fuad Hussein stressed on Thursday the need to intensify diplomatic efforts to ensure regional stability. Sheikh Khazali's media office said in a statement received by the Iraqi News Agency (INA): "The Secretary-General of the Asa'ib Ahl al-Haq Movement, Sheikh Qais al-Khazali, visited Iraqi Foreign Minister Fuad Hussein in his office in Baghdad." He added that "during the meeting, views were exchanged on key international and regional issues, most notably developments in the region, in addition to developments in the Syrian arena and their repercussions on regional security and stability." According to the statement, the two parties emphasized "the importance of joint coordination in confronting current challenges and the need to intensify diplomatic efforts to ensure regional stability and protect national interests."
