Latest news with #ShiiteCoordinationFramework
Shafaq News
7 days ago
- Politics
- Shafaq News
Iraqi Parliament to reconvene Wednesday as leadership row ends
Shafaq News – Baghdad A heated dispute that paralyzed Iraq's Parliament has ended with a 'brotherly reconciliation' and a formal apology, a parliamentary source revealed on Tuesday, clearing the way for the legislature to resume work. The row erupted Monday during a closed-door session when Speaker Mahmoud al-Mashhadani's recent remarks on the Iraqi political process and elections triggered a verbal altercation with First Deputy Speaker Mohsen al-Mandalawi and several lawmakers from the Shiite Coordination Framework. The clash forced an abrupt postponement of that day's parliamentary meeting. The source told Shafaq News that al-Mandalawi apologized to al-Mashhadani during a meeting mediated by Second Deputy Speaker Shakhwan Abdullah in Baghdad. The three leaders, he added, agreed to put the recent tensions behind them, restore cooperation, reactivate parliamentary proceedings, and insulate parliament from 'political rivalries and electioneering.' Following the reconciliation, the Council of Representatives published its agenda for Wednesday's session, scheduled to begin at 1 p.m. The agenda includes votes on two draft laws and debates on four additional legislative proposals.
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
04-07-2025
- Politics
- Shafaq News
PM al-Sudani navigates Syria relations despite domestic tensions
Shafaq News – Baghdad Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammad Shia al-Sudani is pursuing a cautious diplomatic strategy following the ouster of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad last winter, engaging with Syria's transitional leader, Ahmad al-Sharaa, despite tensions within Iraq's ruling Shiite Coordination Framework. According to the British website Amwaj, several Iran-backed Shiite factions in Baghdad have voiced concerns about the growing influence of Sunni Islamist parties under al-Sharaa. Still, al-Sudani is pressing ahead, aligning with Gulf and Turkish initiatives to foster regional reconciliation. Analysts interpret al-Sudani's outreach as an attempt to elevate Iraq's diplomatic profile by balancing Gulf, Iranian, and Turkish interests. Meanwhile, Tehran appears willing to maintain a pragmatic relationship with al-Sharaa to preserve its regional foothold, indirectly giving al-Sudani more flexibility at home and abroad in a shifting and unpredictable landscape.
Shafaq News
24-06-2025
- Politics
- Shafaq News
Iraq delays crisis talks amid Iran–Israel uncertainty
Shafaq News/ A planned high-level meeting between Iraq's Shiite Coordination Framework* (CF) and the State Administration Coalition** (SAC) has been postponed indefinitely due to regional instability and lack of quorum, a political source revealed on Tuesday. The meeting, originally scheduled for Sunday, was set to address the fallout from the Iran–Israel war and formulate a unified position amid heightened geopolitical tensions. However, the source told Shafaq News that the absence of several senior CF leaders and the failure to meet quorum contributed to the delay. 'The lack of clarity in international positions regarding the Iran–Israel conflict, coupled with differing views among Iraqi factions and worsening regional volatility, made it impossible to hold the meeting as planned,' the source said. He confirmed that no new date has been set, noting that future discussions depend on whether the military confrontation between Tehran and Tel Aviv escalates further or a resolution is reached. The source warned that the ongoing Iran–Israel conflict continues to pose direct risks to Iraq, given its geographic and political proximity to the escalating hostilities. 'If the confrontation continues, it will inevitably impact the region as a whole—and Iraq in particular,' he said. The postponed meeting was expected to bring together Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani and key figures from across Iraq's ruling political spectrum. The agenda was to include discussions on recent US airstrikes on Iranian nuclear facilities, efforts to unify Iraq's diplomatic stance, and strategies to shield the country from becoming entangled in the broader conflict. 'This session was intended to determine Iraq's next steps and preventative measures,' the source said. 'But until there is clarity in the regional scene, political calibration inside Iraq will remain on hold.'
Shafaq News
22-06-2025
- Politics
- Shafaq News
Iraq to hold high-level meeting over US attack on Iran
Shafaq News/ Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani is scheduled to meet on Sunday with senior officials to address today's US strikes on Iran, a source revealed to Shafaq News. The meeting, planned with leaders of the Shiite Coordination Framework (CF) and the State Administration Coalition (SAC)—an alliance of major Shiite, Sunni, and Kurdish parties—follows a wave of American airstrikes on nuclear sites in Fordow, Natanz, and Isfahan, which President Donald Trump described as 'precise and successful.' According to the source, the talks will focus on unifying Iraq's position in response to the unfolding developments and exploring diplomatic channels to help contain the crisis. 'Baghdad is working to align its diplomatic stance with regional partners while calling on the United Nations Security Council to play a more active role in efforts to halt the escalation.' Discussions are also expected to cover the broader ramifications of the Iran-Israel confrontation, particularly given the direct US military involvement. The agenda will additionally include measures to protect Iraq from the fallout of any expanding confrontation.
