Latest news with #ShiiteCoordinationFramework
Shafaq News
6 days ago
- Business
- Shafaq News
Baghdad politicizing Kurdistan's salaries ahead of elections, official says
Shafaq News/ The Iraqi government is deliberately targeting public sector salaries in the Kurdistan Region for political gain, former Deputy Finance Minister Rebaz Hamlan said on Thursday. In a statement, Hamlan accused Finance Minister Taif Sami of yielding to political pressure, alleging that Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani and the influential Shiite Coordination Framework (CF) are 'exploiting the financial file for election campaigns and political bargaining at the expense of Kurdistan's stability and development.' 'The May salary list is free of any legal or administrative issues. Withholding payments is purely political and directly harms the people of Kurdistan,' he stated, calling the decision a violation of the Constitution, the Federal Budget Law, and Federal Supreme Court Decision No. 224, which requires the federal government to disburse salaries irrespective of political disputes. Hamlan noted that only 3.8 trillion ($2.3B) of the Kurdistan Region's agreed share of 11.5 trillion Iraqi dinars ($8.2B) for 2025 has been disbursed so far, urging Kurdish ministers in Baghdad to present a unified position in the federal cabinet and defend the financial rights of the Region's citizens. The salary dispute between Baghdad and Erbil has remained unresolved for years, often resurfacing during budget negotiations. Tensions escalated after oil exports through Turkiye's Ceyhan port halted two years ago, prompting the federal government to classify salary transfers as temporary advances rather than fixed allocations. In February, the Supreme Court ruled that salaries for Kurdistan Region employees must be paid directly by Baghdad, bypassing the Kurdistan Regional Government, after months of delays.
Iraq Business
25-05-2025
- Politics
- Iraq Business
Will Provincial Crises come to haunt Alliances in Baghdad?
From Amwaj Media. Any opinions expressed are those of the author(s), and do not necessarily reflect the views of Iraq Business News . Deep Dive: Will provincial crises come to haunt alliances in Baghdad? Across Iraq, governorate-level politics are broadly in a shambolic state. After being pushed back in 2019 amid anti-corruption protests, the 2023 provincial elections were framed by advocates as a way to revitalise local governance, curtail graft and re-engage the electorate. However, the results of the polls-the first held in a decade-have instead only amplified factional rivalries in the ruling Shiite Coordination Framework. Moreover, the profound fragility of Iraq's decentralized governance has been exposed. The full article can be viewed here.
Shafaq News
21-05-2025
- Politics
- Shafaq News
Coordination Framework to discuss keymatters
Shafaq News/ Iraq's Shiite Coordination Framework (CF) is expected to convene to review a series of political and regional files, a source told Shafaq News on Wednesday. According to the source, the agenda includes recent agreements between the Kurdistan Regional Government and US energy firms, as well as broader shifts in Iraq's domestic and regional landscape. The session will also address the formation of upcoming electoral alliances, proposed amendments to the election law, and their potential impact on the CF's influence. Syria's border crossings are on the table as well, as reportedly requested by Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shibani during the recent Baghdad summit. In addition, the CF will review developments surrounding Iran's nuclear file and the diplomatic climate in the region.
Shafaq News
15-05-2025
- Business
- Shafaq News
Iran's Qaani courts Arab support in Baghdad before key summit
Shafaq News/ The commander of Iran's Quds Force, Esmail Qaani, held a series of private meetings in Baghdad on Thursday with senior leaders of Iraq's Shiite Coordination Framework to discuss regional developments and Tehran's strategic objectives ahead of the upcoming Arab League Summit. A political source told Shafaq News that Qaani met with prominent figures including State of Law leader Nouri al-Maliki and Badr Organization chief Hadi al-Amiri. Discussions reportedly focused on garnering Arab support for Iran's nuclear file and advancing a balanced agreement to avoid escalation in the region. Qaani also addressed the regional implications of Syria's new leadership under transitional President Ahmad al-Shara, emphasizing the need to engage with Damascus in a way that promotes regional stability. The talks included Iran's request for Iraq's mediation in recovering financial debts owed by Syria, which could resume flowing with the anticipated lifting of sanctions. The meetings touched on Turkiye's military presence in northern Iraq. Qaani reportedly encouraged Iraqi leaders to press Ankara—through coordinated political and diplomatic channels—for a phased withdrawal. The Quds Force commander is expected to hold a broader meeting on Friday with the Coordination Framework's leadership to consolidate viewpoints on shared regional issues. Qaani arrived in Baghdad on Wednesday and met with Iraq's National Security Adviser Qassem al-Araji. According to an official statement, they discussed security cooperation and the implementation of the 2023 bilateral security agreement. Both sides underscored the need for successful dialogue between Washington and Tehran to reduce tensions and stabilize the region. A separate political source told Shafaq News that Qaani's visit carries several objectives, chief among them 'rallying Arab support to ease international sanctions on Iran and incorporating Tehran's demands into the summit's final agenda.' The source added that Qaani is briefing Iraqi leaders on ongoing US-Iran nuclear negotiations, seeking firm guarantees from Washington to ensure the durability of any future agreement. He is also reinforcing Iran's commitment to security, economic, and political cooperation with Iraq. The 2025 Arab League Summit is set to be held in Baghdad this Saturday, with full diplomatic representation from Arab states. Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani and Parliament Speaker Mahmoud al-Mashhadani earlier agreed to unify Iraq's political message at the summit, reaffirming Baghdad's support for the Palestinian cause and for Gaza.
Shafaq News
10-05-2025
- Politics
- Shafaq News
Iraq's CF to discuss Iran visit, Arab Summit
Shafaq News/ Leaders of Iraq's Shiite Coordination Framework (CF), including Prime Minister Mohammed Shia Al-Sudani, will hold a key meeting on May 12, a source within the alliance told Shafaq News on Saturday. The Framework will address several issues, most notably the results of the delegation's visit to Tehran and the topics discussed with Iranian officials, including preliminary understandings between both sides, the source said. The meeting will also focus on outlining Iraq's official position paper for the Arab summit. Regarding the participation in the summit, the source confirmed that all 22 Arab League member states are expected to attend at a high level, including Syria, adding that the presence of the head of Syria 's interim administration would serve as a gateway to legitimizing its role at the summit. Among the key proposals under discussion are calls for dialogue with Arab, Western, and US counterparts on restructuring the Palestinian situation in line with UN resolutions, and affirming collective Arab support for Palestine. The draft also includes 'demands for unrestricted humanitarian aid access and potential recourse to the UN Security Council if Israel does not comply,' the source revealed. The agenda will also include proposals to boost regional economic cooperation and human development, along with a plan by Ammar Al-Hakim (the leader of Iraq's National Wisdom Movement [Al-Hikma]) to establish an Iraq-based international body for counterterrorism coordination. Earlier today, government spokesperson Bassem Al- Awadi told Shafaq News that recent reports claiming some Arab states had declined to attend the Baghdad summit were unfounded.
