Latest news with #Shiite-led
Shafaq News
2 days ago
- Politics
- Shafaq News
Iran's Quds Force chief held secret meetings with Iraqi Shiite leaders
Shafaq News – Baghdad The commander of Iran's Quds Force, Esmail Qaani, paid a brief, unannounced visit to Baghdad in recent days, where he met with senior figures in Iraq's Coordination Framework. Informed sources told Shafaq News that Qaani's visit lasted approximately ten hours and included separate meetings with former prime minister and State of Law Coalition leader Nouri al-Maliki, National Wisdom Movement (Al-Hikma) leader Ammar al-Hakim, Fatah Alliance head Hadi al-Amiri, and Islamic Supreme Council of Iraq leader Humam Hammoudi. The discussions, the source revealed, focused on regional developments and Iraq's internal political landscape, with particular attention to upcoming elections and shifting alliances within the Shiite-led Coordination Framework, a major political bloc supported by Tehran. The Iranian commander did not meet with Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani during this visit. This marks Qaani's second visit to Baghdad within two months. On June 28, he reportedly met with figures from the Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF), an umbrella of mostly Shiite paramilitary groups backed by Iran. No official statements have been issued by either the Iraqi or Iranian sides regarding these meetings.
Rudaw Net
16-07-2025
- Business
- Rudaw Net
KRG approves ‘understanding' with Baghdad on budget issues
Also in Kurdistan Top Foxtrot member arrested in Erbil: Swedish media President Barzani, Estonian defense minister discuss defense ties, regional developments KRG cabinet to address financial crisis amid new round of meetings with Baghdad KRG ministry condemns drone strikes on Duhok oil fields as operations halt A+ A- ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - The Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) announced on Wednesday that it has reached a new "understanding" with Baghdad aimed at resolving the ongoing budget dispute that has left more than 1.2 million public employees in the Kurdistan Region without salaries for over two months. In an official statement, the KRG said it had "approved a new understanding" with the federal government regarding the disbursement of salaries and financial entitlements. The night before, a fresh round of high-level meetings kicked off between Kurdish officials from the Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP) and the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK) with top Iraqi leaders in Baghdad. Rudaw learned that PUK leader Bafel Talabani and Iraqi Foreign Minister Fuad Hussein - a senior KDP figure - met with Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia' al-Sudani on Tuesday. Supreme Judicial Council head Faiq Zidan also attended the meeting. A source familiar with the matter said a member of the KDP politburo is also expected to join the talks, and that further meetings are planned for Wednesday with several political leaders, including from Iraq's ruling Shiite-led Coordination Framework. During the KRG's regular cabinet session on Wednesday, Kurdistan Region Prime Minister Masrour Barzani and his Deputy Qubad Talabani 'presented details of the mutual understanding that emerged yesterday [Tuesday] with Baghdad, regarding the provision of the Kurdistan Region's financial entitlements and its [corresponding] obligations.' According to the KRG statement, the cabinet 'welcomed' the understanding and 'decided to implement the crux' of it, to prompt the federal government to facilitate 'the transfer of salaries and financial dues from the federal government.' Tensions between Erbil and Baghdad escalated in late May when Iraq's federal finance ministry suspended budget transfers to the KRG. The ministry accused Erbil of receiving more than its 12.67 percent share of the federal budget and failing to deliver the agreed-upon volume of oil to the State Oil Marketing Organization (SOMO). The suspension led to a halt in salary payments to public sector employees. On a different note, Wednesday marked the third consecutive day of drone attacks targeting oil infrastructure in the Region. The KRG cabinet strongly condemned the "terrorist attacks on the Kurdistan Region, especially the oil fields, which have caused significant material damage to the oil production process and are aimed at striking the Kurdistan Region's economic and energy infrastructure." The KRG called on Baghdad to take responsibility by "putting an end to these attacks and taking legal action against the saboteurs." Drone strikes in the Kurdistan Region have increased since the outbreak of a 12-day conflict between Israel and Iran that began on June 13 and ended with a US-brokered ceasefire. While no group has claimed responsibility for the recent attacks, the Kurdistan Region's interior ministry in early July accused the Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF) of involvement - an allegation Baghdad has dismissed as 'unacceptable.'
Rudaw Net
16-07-2025
- Business
- Rudaw Net
KRG cabinet to address financial crisis amid new round of meetings with Baghdad
Also in Kurdistan KRG ministry condemns drone strikes on Duhok oil fields as operations halt Kurdistan oil fields targeted for third day in a row in drone attacks Archaeologists unearth over 6,000-year-old settlement near Erbil KRG minister slams Baghdad for failing to uphold constitutional obligations A+ A- ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - The Kurdistan Regional Government's (KRG) Council of Ministers is set to meet on Wednesday to address the ongoing financial dispute with Baghdad, the prolonged delay in public sector salary payments, and efforts to resume Kurdish oil exports. According to an official statement posted on the KRG's Facebook page, the meeting will be chaired by Kurdistan Region Prime Minister Masrour Barzani and will focus on 'the financial situation of the Kurdistan Region, the course of negotiations and dialogue with the federal government [in Baghdad], and developments related to salaries and oil exports.' Tensions between Erbil and Baghdad escalated in late May after Iraq's federal finance ministry suspended budget transfers to the KRG. The ministry accused the KRG of exceeding its 12.67 percent share of the federal budget and failing to deliver the agreed-upon volume of oil to the State Oil Marketing Organization (SOMO). The decision effectively halted salary disbursements for over 1.2 million public employees in the Kurdistan Region. Wednesday's cabinet meeting comes just one day after senior Kurdish officials from the ruling Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP) and Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK) began a new round of meetings with top Iraqi leaders in Baghdad. Rudaw learned that PUK leader Bafel Talabani and Iraqi Foreign Minister Fuad Hussein - a senior KDP figure - met with Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia' al-Sudani on Tuesday. Supreme Judicial Council head Faiq Zidan also attended the meeting. A source familiar with the matter said a member of the KDP politburo is also expected to join the talks. Further meetings are also planned for Wednesday with several political leaders, including from Iraq's ruling Shiite-led Coordination Framework. These intensified efforts follow a high-level Kurdish meeting held Monday in Erbil's Pirmam district, aimed at forming a 'unified stance' on the disputes with Baghdad. A joint statement following the meeting said it was chaired by preeminent Kurdish leader and KDP head Masoud Barzani, with Kurdistan Region President Nechirvan Barzani and PUK leader Talabani also in attendance. The Kurdish parties pledged to adopt a unified strategy to 'intensify efforts' and 'ensure the provision of salaries and entitlements for the Kurdistan Region,' emphasizing that all steps would be taken within the constitutional framework. The latest developments also follow a special session by the KRG cabinet on Sunday, to address the worsening financial crisis as well. A day prior, the KDP had issued a strong warning, saying it would give Baghdad a 'final chance' to resolve the ongoing budget dispute.
Shafaq News
14-07-2025
- Politics
- Shafaq News
Iraqi Sunni MPs to address Parliament Speaker clash
Shafaq News - Baghdad Iraqi Sunni lawmakers will meet on Monday to issue a joint stance following a dispute between Parliament Speaker Mahmoud al-Mashhadani and First Deputy Speaker Mohsen al-Mandalawi, a political source told Shafaq News. The source said the dispute began during a phone call and escalated when al-Mandalawi visited al-Mashhadani's office to continue the discussion. The disagreement centered on recent comments regarding the Service and Retirement Law for Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF) members and other legislative issues. A second confrontation later occurred inside the Council of Representatives involving al-Mashhadani, al-Mandalawi, and members of the Shiite-led Coordination Framework, prompting the postponement of today's parliamentary session. In a televised interview aired earlier, al-Mashhadani warned of possible nationwide protests next month, suggesting that Iraq could move toward forming an emergency government if security conditions deteriorate. He also referred to messages from the United States urging the integration of PMF units into the official security forces, instead of restructuring the group. Independent MP Alaa al-Haidari criticized the remarks, calling for a public apology. He further described the statements as damaging to national identity, stressing that efforts to remove al-Mashhadani from office would begin if no apology is made.
Rudaw Net
13-07-2025
- Politics
- Rudaw Net
Sadr expels 31 affiliates for defying elections boycott
Also in Iraq Baghdad says Erbil's demand for more domestic oil delays export restart Drone downed near Peshmerga position in Kirkuk Iraq's top court to hear key cases on delayed Kurdistan salaries Over 700 daily overflights as Iraqi airspace fully recovers post-tensions A+ A- ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - Iraq's influential Shiite cleric Muqtada al-Sadr on Sunday expelled 31 members from his National Shiite Movement - formerly the Sadrist Movement - and its affiliated armed wing, Saraya al-Salam, for defying his orders and joining electoral lists ahead of the country's November 11 parliamentary elections. The move comes amid Sadr's continued boycott of the vote. In a statement accompanying the list of expelled individuals, Sadr wrote: 'I distance myself from all of them, just as they have distanced themselves from us,' referring to candidates from the movement and brigades who had registered despite his directive to abstain. Many of those removed were affiliated with rival political factions within the Shiite-led Coordination Framework, as well as electoral lists backed by Prime Minister Mohammed Shia' al-Sudani and Deputy Parliament Speaker Mohsen al-Mandalawi. Since late March, Sadr has firmly reiterated his refusal to participate in the 2025 legislative elections, denouncing the process as deeply compromised by 'corruption.' Responding in writing to a supporter's question about the movement's electoral role in the vote, the cleric declared, 'So long as corruption is prevalent, I will not participate in a flawed electoral process.' More recently, in early July, Sadr reaffirmed his stance, calling for sweeping reforms, including disarmament of armed groups, the restoration of state authority and accountability for corruption. Of note, in Iraq's last elections in October 2021, Sadr's bloc won a plurality, securing 73 of 329 parliamentary seats. However, a prolonged deadlock with the Coordination Framework over forming a government led Sadr to withdraw his lawmakers from parliament, effectively ending his bloc's formal political engagement.
