Latest news with #Shiite-led
Shafaq News
29-04-2025
- Politics
- Shafaq News
Forbidden words? Iraq investigates Sovereignty Alliance chief
Shafaq News/ On Tuesday, Iraq's Supreme Judicial Council announced the launch of an investigation into a leaked audio recording allegedly featuring Khamis al-Khanjar, leader of the Sovereignty Alliance (Al-Siyada). The Third Karkh Investigative Court initiated proceedings after receiving a formal request from MPs Mohammed Jassem al-Khafaji and Amir Razzaq Ajlan, who urged legal action over the recording reportedly containing language 'violating Iraqi legal standards.' The controversy arose after an Iraqi television program aired a segment claiming to feature al-Khanjar making sectarian remarks about state institutions and Shiite-led governance following the 2003 political transition. However, the Alliance denied the recording's authenticity, calling it "forged." Khamis al-Khanjar is a prominent Sunni political figure and businessman, leading a coalition representing Sunni-majority provinces. He has played a significant role in Iraqi politics, advocating for Sunni interests and engaging in regional diplomacy, including efforts to maintain Iraq's neutrality in the Syrian conflict. Iraq has witnessed a rise in leaked audio recordings targeting political figures, often exposing alleged corruption or sectarian rhetoric. Notable cases include the 2022 leaks attributed to former Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki and the 2024 recording involving Yazan al-Jubouri, both prompting judicial investigations.
Rudaw Net
20-04-2025
- Politics
- Rudaw Net
Iraqi Shiite politicians at odds over Sharaa's visit to Baghdad
Also in Iraq KRG, Iraqi officials meet with oil companies to discuss restarting Kurdish oil exports From Russia to Jordan, cultural performances dazzle in Babil Congo-Crimean fever kills two in Kirkuk Mining is a potential '$16 trillion' industry in Iraq: Official A+ A- ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - Iran-aligned politicians and armed groups in Iraq have expressed strong opposition to the potential participation of Syria's interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa in an upcoming Arab League summit, set to be held in Baghdad in May. They argue that there is an outstanding arrest warrant against Sharaa in Iraq due to his former ties to al-Qaeda. The Islamic Dawa Party stated on Sunday that 'the blood of Iraqis is not cheap so that those who shed it or violated its sanctity would be invited or welcomed in Baghdad.' Of note, former prime minister and senior member of the Shiite-led Coordination, Nouri al-Maliki, was reelected as the Dawa Party's secretary-general last week. The party's remarks came after Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia' al-Sudani held the first of its kind meeting with Sharaa in Qatar on Thursday. The meeting came as Baghdad is set to host the 34th Arab League Summit on May 17. During his participation at the Sulaimani Forum on Wednesday, Sudani confirmed that Sharaa had been invited to attend the key summit, however, his participation remains uncertain. In its Sunday statement, the Dawa party additionally drew comparisons between Sharaa and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who has an arrest warrant issued against him by the International Criminal Court (ICC) over core crimes under international law. 'An approach similar [to that of the ICC] must be adopted in Iraq toward those who have committed heinous crimes against its people,' the Dawa Party noted, adding that the issue is a matter of 'respect for Iraqi blood and the martyrs who sacrificed their lives for the dignity and honor of this nation.' For his part, Qais al-Khazali, leader of the Iran-allied Asa'ib Ahl al-Haq armed group and another senior official from the Shiite-led Coordination Framework, on Saturday warned against Sharaa's 'premature' visit to Iraq. The US-sanctioned figure also cautioned that the visit would 'lead to consequences, if the law is enforced and he [Sharaa] is arrested by security forces.' Likewise, Abu Ali al-Askari, spokesperson for Kata'ib Hezbollah, another Iran-allied armed group, said on Saturday that the Arab summit "would surely not be cancelled over the absence' of Sharaa. Askari notably referred to the Syrian interim President by his former nom de guerre, Abu Mohammed al-Jolani, which he seemingly abandoned after assuming his position. In a subtle rebuttal to the critics of Sharaa's visit to Iraq, National Security Advisor Qasim al-Araji stated on Sunday that 'political work is not assessed by sharp slogans, but by its adherence to the constitutional framework, commitment to the public interest, and fostering awareness over reactions.' Sharaa came to power in late January after a coalition of opposition groups headed by the Hay'at Tahrir al-Sham he led, toppled the regime of Syrian dictator Bashar al-Assad in early December. While Sharaa was congratulated on his appointment by the majority of Arab countries, Iraq notably withheld support, highlighting its cautious stance vis-a-vis the new leadership in Damascus as well as the potential influence of Iran-aligned groups in Baghdad. In a report it published in March, AFP cited several Iraqi security officials as confirming that an old arrest warrant for Sharaa remains in place from when he was a member of al-Qaeda. Around that same time, the Financial Times reported in March that Sharaa was arrested by US forces in Iraq in 2005 and imprisoned at multiple detention centers, including Abu Ghraib and Camp Bucca, west and south of Baghdad, respectively.
Rudaw Net
17-04-2025
- Politics
- Rudaw Net
Baghdad summons Lebanese envoy over president's PMF remarks
Also in Iraq KRG delegation to visit Baghdad Saturday for oil export talks: Oil minister Sudani confirms re-election bid ahead of November elections Efforts intensify to restore 900,000 dunams of confiscated lands in Kirkuk: MP Dust storm hospitalizes over 3,700 in Iraq A+ A- ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - Baghdad summoned the Lebanese ambassador on Wednesday to express its objection to recent remarks by Lebanese President Joseph Aoun, who cited the Shiite-led Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF) as an example Beirut does not wish to follow if Hezbollah were to be integrated into the country's national defense structure. 'The PMF is an essential part of Iraq's security and military apparatus; it is a legal and governmental institution and an integral component of the Iraqi state,' said foreign ministry undersecretary for bilateral relations Mohammed Bahr al-Uloom during his meeting with Lebanese Ambassador to Baghdad Ali Habhab, as reported by state media. The diplomatic row was sparked by an interview Aoun gave to the London-based The New Arab, in which he was asked whether Lebanon might replicate the Iraqi model in addressing Hezbollah's role in the state. 'Absolutely not. There will be no PMF-style force and no independent units within the [Lebanese] army,' Aoun said. The PMF was formed in 2014 when a number of Shiite militias mobilized in response to a fatwa by Grand Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani to combat the Islamic State (ISIS). While officially incorporated into Iraq's security apparatus, many of its factions continue to operate independently and maintain close ties with Iran. 'The comparison made by the Lebanese president was inappropriate,' said Bahr al-Uloom. 'It would have been better not to involve Iraq in Lebanon's internal affairs or to cite an official Iraqi institution in this context.' He added that the president's remarks 'caused discomfort among Iraqis, particularly since Iraq has consistently stood by Lebanon during times of hardship.' Bahr al-Uloom expressed hope that the Lebanese president would 'rectify his statement in a manner that reinforces the fraternal relationship between the two countries and affirms mutual respect for each state's sovereignty.' Habhab affirmed that he would deliver Baghdad's concerns to Beirut. 'Lebanon counts on Iraq's role in contributing to its reconstruction efforts alongside its Arab brothers,' he said. Hezbollah, long considered the backbone of Iran's 'Axis of Resistance,' suffered major setbacks following Israel's wide-ranging retaliation after the Hamas-led October 7, 2023 attacks. These included crippling Hezbollah's missile-launching capabilities as well as the assassination of its long-time leader Hassan Nasrallah in September, followed weeks later by the killing of Hashem Safieddine, head of the group's executive council overseeing military operations. Border clashes between Hezbollah and Israel persisted until a ceasefire was reached on November 27, requiring Israeli forces to withdraw from Lebanese territory and Lebanese armed groups, including Hezbollah, to disarm.
Rudaw Net
16-04-2025
- Business
- Rudaw Net
Sudani confirms re-election bid ahead of November elections
Also in Iraq Efforts intensify to restore 900,000 dunams of confiscated lands in Kirkuk: MP Dust storm hospitalizes over 3,700 in Iraq Over 1,300 suffocation cases reported in southern Iraq amid dust storm Iraqi parliament passes bill to make Halabja the 19th province A+ A- ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia' al-Sudani on Sunday confirmed he will run in Iraq's upcoming federal elections, set for November 11, touting his government's achievements and evolving relations with the Kurdistan Region. The announcement came during the ninth Sulaimani Forum, held at the American University of Iraq, Sulaimani (AUIS), which brought together high-level leaders, diplomats, and policy experts to discuss the evolving role of Iraq and the Kurdistan Region in a rapidly shifting geopolitical landscape. Last week, Iraq's Council of Ministers set the election date following pressure from the Shiite-led Coordination Framework, which had rejected calls to postpone the vote. The coalition, which includes parties backing Sudani's cabinet as well as the Kurdistan Region's ruling parties, Iraqis 'to seize this constitutional opportunity to elect their representatives.' At the forum, Sudani highlighted the achievements of his cabinet, now approaching its third year in office. He said that providing government services, enacting economic reforms, combating corruption, and addressing unemployment and poverty have remained key priorities. 'We are a government of services, and this is a coordination between the citizens and the government,' he said. In September, Sudani detailed a number of social support and development milestones, stating that around 961,000 new households became eligible for the Social Safety Net, over 7.5 million monthly food baskets were distributed, and more than two million students received grants. Additionally, about one million new job positions were announced, and over 372,000 caregivers for people with disabilities received salaries. In the energy sector, Sudani said local power production had reached 27,000 megawatts, 67 percent of associated gas was being utilized, and gasoline production had increased to 28 million liters per day, resulting in reduced imports The premier also emphasized that health and education projects, as well as the development of Iraq's electrical grid, continue to be top priorities for the government. Improving the energy sector, particularly the goal of achieving self-sufficiency in gas and ending imports by 2028, remains central to his cabinet's agenda. Sudani acknowledged the environmental and public health impact of gas flaring in Iraq. The country is one of the world's largest gas flarers, a practice that contributes significantly to greenhouse gas emissions and climate change. It also poses serious health risks for communities near oil fields and flaring sites, including refugee camps in areas from Basra to the Kurdistan Region. Both the federal and regional governments have vowed to end the practice. 'It is our responsibility not to delay projects,' Sudani stressed, adding that project completion rates across Iraq have improved compared to previous years. 'We have reached a stage where the Iraqi people have faith in the system,' he said. 'I confidently say that this government, with the support of the nation and the [Shiite-led] Coordination Framework that backed it, was able to carry out its task - a program of reform.' Baghdad-Erbil relations 'For the first time, the relationship between Baghdad and Erbil is shifting from [one marred with] political disputes to a technical, political dialogue,' Sudani said, referring to the evolving ties between the Federal Government of Iraq and the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG). The comment followed his visit to Erbil on Saturday, where he met with Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP) leader Masoud Barzani to discuss regional and national developments. The trip came amid ongoing tensions between the two governments over oil exports and the delayed payment of salaries for the Kurdistan Region's civil servants - issues that have strained relations for more than a decade. In 2014, the federal government cut the Kurdistan Region's share of the national budget. In response, Erbil began independently exporting oil and relied heavily on the revenues to fund its public sector. However, declining oil prices and the costly war against the Islamic State (ISIS) severely impacted its finances, forcing austerity measures. Civil servants faced frequent salary cuts and delays, with Baghdad now covering those payments. Sudani addressed the stalled oil and gas legislation, saying, 'The oil and gas law, based on the constitution, stipulates that this wealth is a national wealth for Iraqis,' but added that 'unfortunately, the conditions that the parliament went through' have prevented the law from being developed. The unpaid salaries crisis worsened after Kurdish oil exports were suspended in March 2023. That move followed an international court ruling in favor of Baghdad, which found that Ankara had violated a 1973 pipeline agreement by permitting Erbil to export oil independently. Talks between federal and Kurdish officials, along with international oil companies operating in the Region, have so far failed to yield a resolution. The companies seek payment guarantees and contractual stability, Baghdad demands federal control, and Erbil continues to push for a deal that protects its economic autonomy. PMF law 'The [Popular Mobilization Forces] law concerns an important security institution that achieved great strides in the fight against terror,' said Sudani, referring to a proposed bill that aims to regulate the structure, salaries, and retirement policies of the PMF and integrate the group into Iraq's state security forces. In early March, Iraqi factions - such as Iran-backed Asaib Ahl al-Haq (AAH) - boycotted a parliamentary session in protest of the law's exclusion from the agenda. The bill has been a source of political contention. Later that month, Iraq's parliament completed the first reading of the proposed legislation. The PMF was formed in 2014 in response to a fatwa by Iraq's top Shiite cleric, Grand Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani, following the Islamic State (ISIS) takeover of large swathes of northern and western Iraq. The force began as an umbrella group of roughly 70 predominantly Shiite factions, with around 250,000 members. A 2016 law passed by parliament offered a basic legal framework for the PMF, but it contained only three articles, leaving crucial issues unaddressed, especially regarding the force's legal integration into Iraq's official security apparatus. The force has also been a source of controversy, particularly over the ties of some factions to US-designated terrorist groups. In late March, US State Department spokesperson Tammy Bruce told Rudaw that for Iraq to strengthen its sovereignty, the government 'must ensure it has command and control of all security forces within its borders.' She added that the PMF 'must respond to Iraq's commander in chief, and not to Iran.' 'Security institutions would not function without laws [regulating their work], and so would intelligence agencies,' said Sudani. He emphasized that his cabinet is working to end the proliferation of weapons outside state control. 'I believe that there are no rejections from the political parties regarding the importance of developing [Iraq's] security institutions and implementing laws,' he said. 'We must move forward with proposals to develop these [security] agencies.' Commenting on Iraq's ties with the US-led coalition to fight ISIS, Sudani said, 'Our friends from the Global Coalition play an advisory role.' He noted that the partnership was included in the government's program. While Baghdad has signaled that a commission was formed to conclude the presence of coalition forces, Washington has described the process as a 'transition.' Sudani said Baghdad told the coalition that 'Iraq in 2023 and 2024 is not the same as it was in 2014, when it requested assistance from the coalition.' He added, 'We confirmed on many occasions that this relationship is a security relationship and that Iraq is serious about developing this relationship. We are transitioning to a bilateral security partnership.'
Rudaw Net
11-04-2025
- Politics
- Rudaw Net
Iraq's ruling coalition welcomes vote with no changes to electoral law
Also in Iraq Talabani, Sudani discuss delayed Kurdistan Region salaries Iraqi court issues arrest warrant for prominent Yazidi activist India-Iraq relations 'very strong': Ambassador Iraq inks 24,000 MW electricity deal with US company A+ A- ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - Iraq's governing coalition on Thursday welcomed the government's decision to hold parliamentary elections in November without introducing any amendments to the electoral law. The State Administration Coalition said it welcomed holding the elections 'in accordance with the current law and without any amendments,' according to a statement from Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia' al-Sudani's office. The Council of Ministers on Wednesday set November 11, 2025, as the date for the next legislative elections, following pressure from the Shiite-led Coordination Framework, which had rejected calls for delaying the vote. The coalition, which includes parties backing Sudani's cabinet as well as the ruling parties of the Kurdistan Region, called on Iraqis 'to seize this constitutional opportunity to elect their representatives.' Iraq has changed its electoral system several times since 2003, alternating between laws that favor larger parties and reforms designed to support independent candidates. After mass protests in 2019, a new electoral law divided provinces into smaller districts, making it easier for independents to win seats. But in March 2023, parliament reversed those reforms, restoring larger districts. The change triggered criticism from independents and smaller parties, who accused major blocs of trying to sideline emerging political forces. Protests broke out in February 2023, with demonstrators saying that the changes would marginalize independent voices while benefiting established parties. Some lawmakers have proposed reinstating smaller districts or dividing large provinces to boost independents - moves blocked by the dominant parties. One proposed amendment would allocate 30 percent of parliamentary seats to candidates with the highest number of votes, while distributing the remaining 70 percent through a modified Sainte-Lague method, starting with a divisor of 1.5 rather than the traditional 1.0 - a change expected to disadvantage smaller parties and independents. The draft legislation also requires officials seeking election, including lawmakers, governors, and provincial council members, to resign before running. It further bans the use of state resources, such as welfare programs or land grants, in election campaigns.
