Latest news with #Sudani
Rudaw Net
5 hours ago
- Business
- Rudaw Net
Iraqi president, PM stress state resources must not be used for election purposes
Also in Iraq Iraqi women's party seeks to contest elections through empowerment Iraq-Turkey pipeline requires 'costly' renovation: KRG PM advisor Iraqi top court dismisses lawsuit to halt KRG's 24-hour power plan US calls on Iraq to punish pro-Iran militants over deadly Baghdad attack A+ A- ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - Iraqi President Abdul Latif Rashid and Prime Minister Mohammed Shia' al-Sudani on Wednesday underscored the importance of ensuring that state resources are not used for political gain in the upcoming general elections. Meeting in Baghdad, the two leaders discussed a range of pressing national issues, including preparations for the legislative elections scheduled for November 11, and ongoing financial disputes between the federal government and the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG). A statement from the Sudani's office emphasized that both sides 'stressed the importance of not using state resources and human or material capabilities for electoral purposes, and preventing the exploitation of government positions to influence voter will.' The statement further noted that such measures would help bolster public trust in the democratic process and ensure the elections reflect the true will and aspirations of the Iraqi people. 'This will contribute to preserving Iraq's democratic path and promoting effective participation in the electoral process,' it added. In addition to election preparations, Rashid and Sudani discussed recent developments in the financial relationship between Baghdad and Erbil. Tensions escalated between Erbil and Baghdad in late May when the federal finance ministry halted budget transfers to the KRG, accusing the latter of exceeding its 12.67 percent budget share and failing to meet oil export obligations. The halt left over 1.2 million KRG public sector workers unpaid for more than two months. However, the standoff has eased following renewed dialogue between the KRG and federal government. On Thursday, the KRG's finance ministry announced it had received nearly 975 billion dinars (around $737 million) from Baghdad to cover May salaries, signaling progress in resolving the dispute. The move came as part of a recent agreement between the federal government and the KRG which stipulates that Baghdad should resume paying the salaries of KRG civil servants. In return, Erbil is expected to hand over oil produced in the Region, as well as non-oil revenues. However, key aspects of the deal remain unresolved, particularly regarding the volume of oil the KRG is required to deliver. Kurdish officials have cited a sharp decline in oil production - attributed in part to recent drone attacks on oil infrastructure in the Region - as a major obstacle to meeting the agreed quotas.
Asharq Al-Awsat
a day ago
- Politics
- Asharq Al-Awsat
Washington Holds Kataib Hezbollah Responsible for Attack on an Iraqi Govt Building
The US embassy in Iraq accused on Monday the pro-Iran Kataib Hezbollah group of being behind the attack on an Agriculture Ministry building in Baghdad as a new director was being sworn in. A group of fighters from the Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF) carried out the attack, said the Interior Ministry. The Kataib Hezbollah are part of the PMF. At least one police officer was killed and 14 PMF fighters have been arrested. The embassy offered its condolences to the families of the victims, 'who were killed by Kataib Hezbollah, which is designated as a terrorist organization by the United States.' Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani chaired an emergency security meeting on Sunday to address the situation. Sudani stressed the need to uphold the law and protect state institutions. No leniency should be shown in the case, he added, urging investigations to uncover how the perpetrators were able to carry out the attack. He called for bringing them to justice. 'No one is above the law,' he declared, demanding that the probe be held according to professional standards. Forces within the pro-Iran Shiite Coordination Framework held an emergency meeting to also discuss the attack. Informed sources said the meeting 'gave Sudani the green light to pursue the perpetrators.' Information that has emerged in the past 24 hours revealed that the attack stemmed from disputes between armed factions and local powers over agricultural territory in the al-Dora region south of Baghdad. The disputes culminated in the sacking of the old director, who is affiliated with Kataib Hezbollah. The new director is affiliated with another armed faction, leading to the clash between the two parties and the police and security forces intervening.
Business Recorder
3 days ago
- Politics
- Business Recorder
Iraqi police clash with paramilitary fighters who stormed govt building
BAGHDAD: A gun battle erupted in Iraq's capital on Sunday between police and fighters from a state-sanctioned paramilitary force that includes Iran-backed groups, killing at least one police officer and leading to the arrest of 14 fighters, authorities said. The clash broke out in Baghdad's Karkh district after a group of fighters from the Popular Mobilisation Forces (PMF) stormed an Agriculture Ministry building as a new director was being sworn in, the Interior Ministry said in a statement. The PMF, known in Arabic as Hashd al-Shaabi, is an umbrella group of mostly Shi'ite paramilitary factions that was formally integrated into Iraq's state security forces and includes several groups aligned with Iran. According to the Interior Ministry, the PMF fighters burst into the building during an administrative meeting, causing panic among staff who alerted police. Security sources and three employees at the scene said the fighters had wanted to stop the office's former director from being replaced. A statement from the Joint Operations Command, which reports directly to Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani, confirmed that the detainees were PMF members and had been referred to the judiciary. At least one police officer was killed and nine others were wounded, police and hospital sources said. Sudani ordered the formation of a committee to investigate the incident, the command said.
Indian Express
3 days ago
- Politics
- Indian Express
Iraqi police clash with paramilitary fighters who stormed government building
A gun battle erupted in Iraq's capital on Sunday between police and fighters from a state-sanctioned paramilitary force that includes Iran-backed groups, killing at least one police officer and leading to the arrest of 14 fighters, authorities said. The clash broke out in Baghdad's Karkh district after a group of fighters from the Popular Mobilisation Forces (PMF) stormed an Agriculture Ministry building as a new director was being sworn in, the Interior Ministry said in a statement. The PMF, known in Arabic as Hashd al-Shaabi, is an umbrella group of mostly Shi'ite paramilitary factions that was formally integrated into Iraq's state security forces and includes several groups aligned with Iran. According to the Interior Ministry, the PMF fighters burst into the building during an administrative meeting, causing panic among staff who alerted police. Security sources and three employees at the scene said the fighters had wanted to stop the office's former director from being replaced. A statement from the Joint Operations Command, which reports directly to Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani, confirmed that the detainees were PMF members and had been referred to the judiciary. At least one police officer was killed and nine others were wounded, police and hospital sources said. Sudani ordered the formation of a committee to investigate the incident, the command said. The arrested fighters belong to 'PMF brigades 45 and 46', the statement added. Both brigades are affiliated with Kataib Hezbollah, an Iran-aligned Iraqi armed group, according to Iraqi security officials and sources within the PMF.
Reuters
3 days ago
- Politics
- Reuters
Iraqi police clash with paramilitary fighters who stormed government building
BAGHDAD, July 27 (Reuters) - A gun battle erupted in Iraq's capital on Sunday between police and fighters from a state-sanctioned paramilitary force that includes Iran-backed groups, killing at least one police officer and leading to the arrest of 14 fighters, authorities said. The clash broke out in Baghdad's Karkh district after a group of fighters from the Popular Mobilisation Forces (PMF) stormed an Agriculture Ministry building as a new director was being sworn in, the Interior Ministry said in a statement. The PMF, known in Arabic as Hashd al-Shaabi, is an umbrella group of mostly Shi'ite paramilitary factions that was formally integrated into Iraq's state security forces and includes several groups aligned with Iran. According to the Interior Ministry, the PMF fighters burst into the building during an administrative meeting, causing panic among staff who alerted police. Security sources and three employees at the scene said the fighters had wanted to stop the office's former director from being replaced. A statement from the Joint Operations Command, which reports directly to Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani, confirmed that the detainees were PMF members and had been referred to the judiciary. At least one police officer was killed and nine others were wounded, police and hospital sources said. Sudani ordered the formation of a committee to investigate the incident, the command said. The arrested fighters belong to "PMF brigades 45 and 46", the statement added. Both brigades are affiliated with Kataib Hezbollah, an Iran-aligned Iraqi armed group, according to Iraqi security officials and sources within the PMF.
