Latest news with #VictoryCoalition
Asharq Al-Awsat
7 hours ago
- Politics
- Asharq Al-Awsat
After al-Sadr's Boycott, al-Abadi Withdraws from Iraq's Upcoming Elections
Following the decision by Shiite cleric Muqtada al-Sadr's Sadrist Movement to uphold its boycott of Iraq's parliamentary elections, former Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi has also announced that his Victory Coalition will withdraw in protest against 'political money' and the lack of safeguards to prevent its misuse. Al-Sadr has repeatedly declared that systemic financial and political corruption is the main reason his movement refuses to participate. Al-Abadi's coalition echoed similar concerns, saying the upcoming November vote has been overshadowed by unrestrained spending and vote-buying. Despite efforts by political forces to convince the Sadrists to reconsider, al-Sadr remained resolute. While he did direct his supporters to update their voter records, it is still unclear whether he will ultimately endorse any of the electoral lists reportedly registered under different names by allied groups. The Victory Coalition formally notified its partners in the National State Forces Alliance that it will not field its own candidates, becoming the second major Shiite bloc to step aside. In a statement, the coalition said it remains committed to democratic principles but refuses to legitimize an election 'driven by political money, lacking serious enforcement of legal measures to prevent manipulation, vote-buying, misuse of public resources, and foreign funding.' The coalition stressed that a political entity's credibility stems from its conduct, which defines its true influence. Meanwhile, the Independent High Electoral Commission has begun reviewing candidate lists submitted by parties and alliances after the nomination period closed. Commission spokesperson Imad Jameel confirmed that officials are verifying documents to ensure candidates meet eligibility criteria, with background checks to be completed within 15 days. As millions of Sadrist supporters face the likelihood of sitting out the election, traditional Shiite factions are positioning themselves as the natural political heirs and preparing to court disillusioned voters, particularly in Baghdad. Separately, an official source revealed that Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani, leader of the Reconstruction and Development Coalition, plans to run about 470 candidates nationwide. Al-Sudani will hold the top slot in Baghdad. Former Speaker of Parliament and Taqaddum leader Mohammed al-Halbousi also plans to contest Baghdad rather than Anbar, seeking to secure a strong Sunni presence in the capital. These moves signal an intense contest for dominance in Baghdad, as al-Sudani may capitalize on Sadrist absence to expand Shiite support, while al-Halbousi's campaign could reshape the sectarian balance in Iraq's political heartland.
Rudaw Net
2 days ago
- Business
- Rudaw Net
Iraqi Supreme Judicial Council approves top judge's retirement
Also in Iraq KRG delegation arrives in Baghdad amid efforts to resolve financial disputes Iraq's Victory Coalition to skip election Iraq's marshlands are drying up Sistani rep warns Iraqis to remain vigilant despite Iran-Israel truce A+ A- ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - Iraq's Supreme Judicial Council on Sunday approved the retirement of Federal Supreme Court President Jassim al-Umairi and appointed another judge as his replacement. Umairi recently requested his retirement following the resignations of six out of nine permanent court members, along with three reserve members. The Supreme Judicial Council said in a statement that it convened on Sunday and approved Umairi's retirement, citing 'health reasons.' Munther Ibrahim Hussein, Deputy Head of the Federal Court of Cassation and a reserve member of the federal court, was appointed as Umairi's replacement. The retirement and replacement require President Abdul Latif Rashid's approval. Umairi was criticised by court members. 'The behavior of the court president is unacceptable to us, and we are tired of dealing with his working manners,' one of the members of the federal court told Rudaw after submitting his resignation. The resignations came ahead of a planned session at the request of public servants in the Kurdistan Region, seeking an injunction to compel the federal government to resume salary payments. However, the resignations have cast the session into uncertainty. Tensions between Erbil and Baghdad intensified in late May when the federal finance ministry halted all budget transfers to the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG), including the salaries of more than 1.2 million public sector employees. The ministry stated that the decision was due to the Region exceeding its 12.67 percent share of the 2025 federal budget. The move has drawn widespread condemnation from Kurdish parties, who argue the suspension is politically driven and unconstitutional.
Rudaw Net
2 days ago
- Business
- Rudaw Net
Two Iraqi delegations to arrive in Erbil to resolve financial disputes with KRG
Also in Iraq KRG delegation arrives in Baghdad amid efforts to resolve financial disputes Iraq's Victory Coalition to skip election Iraq's marshlands are drying up Sistani rep warns Iraqis to remain vigilant despite Iran-Israel truce A+ A- ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - Two separate delegations from Baghdad are set to arrive in Erbil soon to discuss financial disputes with the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG), a well-placed source told Rudaw on Thursday. A technical delegation was en route to Erbil at the time of writing while a high-profile and decision-making delegation is set to arrive in the Kurdish capital on Monday, the source said on the condition of anonymity. Iraqi Finance Minister Taif Sami informed the KRG late May that it could no longer pay the regional government's share from the federal budget, claiming that the funds allocated to the KRG had been exhausted. Erbil has denied the claim, accusing Baghdad of failing to adhere to a February ruling by the federal supreme court which stipulates that the KRG's share should not be impacted by political disputes. The technical delegation will discuss the method of calculating the federal government's share of non-oil revenues that the Kurdistan Region delivers monthly to Baghdad. Federal oil ministry representatives will also discuss with the Kurdish oil officials the obstacles to Kurdistan Region oil exports and company conditions for those exports. Exports through the Iraq-Turkey pipeline have been suspended since March 2023, following a ruling by a Paris-based arbitration court that found Turkey had violated a 1973 pipeline agreement by allowing independent exports from Erbil. The other delegation is scheduled to visit the Kurdistan Region on Monday. This is a high-level delegation including representatives from the Iraqi oil and finance ministries and other senior officials to discuss the issues and how to resolve them based on the technical committee's report. Kurdistan Region Prime Minister Masrour Barzani hoped on Wednesday that the high-level delegation's visit would resolve the disputes. In February, the Iraqi parliament approved amendments to the federal budget law, including a $16-per-barrel fee for production and transport costs for international oil companies (IOCs) operating in the Kurdistan Region. The amendments also require both sides to establish an international technical consultancy within 60 days to assess oil production and transportation costs. If no agreement is reached, the federal council of ministers should appoint the consultancy. Hastyar Qadir contributed to this article.
Rudaw Net
2 days ago
- Politics
- Rudaw Net
Sistani rep warns Iraqis to remain vigilant despite Iran-Israel truce
Also in Iraq KRG delegation arrives in Baghdad amid efforts to resolve financial disputes Iraq's Victory Coalition to skip election Iraq's marshlands are drying up Two Iraqi delegations to arrive in Erbil to resolve financial disputes with KRG A+ A- ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - The representative of Iraq's highest Shiite religious authority on Thursday urged Iraqis to be cautious because the country is not immune to the consequences of regional tensions as a United States-brokered ceasefire between Israel and Iran appears to be holding. 'The current circumstances that the region is going through are extremely dangerous, and the Iraqi people are not immune to the repercussions of the conflict, sooner or later,' said Sheikh Abdul Mahdi al-Karbalai, official spokesperson for Grand Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani, Iraqi state media reported. 'Iraqis must arm themselves with awareness and insight in dealing with the serious challenges in the region and passing through the current phase,' he said. 'They must strive to build their country on sound foundations.' Regional tensions remain high as a truce appears to be holding between Israel and Iran, ending 12 days of conflict. Iraq, which is close to Iran and hosts US forces, has expressed concern that further escalation could undermine its fragile post-war recovery. Sistani's office condemned the initial Israeli airstrikes that triggered the conflict, calling them a 'criminal act,' and urged the international community to prevent further bloodshed. The airstrikes killed more than 600 Iranians, including several military commanders, nuclear scientists, and civilians, including women and children. Sistani's office said the attacks demonstrated the 'dangerous and aggressive nature' of Israel's conduct. Twenty-eight people were killed by Iran's strikes on Israel. During the conflict last week, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu did not rule out the assassination of Iran's supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, claiming that his death could end the conflict. US President Donald Trump also made inflammatory remarks against Iran and Khamenei, calling the leader an 'easy target,' though he clarified that there are no current plans to assassinate him. Sistani at the time warned against any attempt to target Iran's 'supreme religious and political leadership,' saying it would have grave consequences for the entire region. Regarding the possibility that the conflict between Israel and Iran could be reignited, Trump told reporters in The Hague on Wednesday after attending a NATO summit that "It can start again. I guess someday it can. It could maybe start soon.'
Rudaw Net
2 days ago
- Politics
- Rudaw Net
Iraq's marshlands are drying up
Also in Iraq KRG delegation arrives in Baghdad amid efforts to resolve financial disputes Iraq's Victory Coalition to skip election Sistani rep warns Iraqis to remain vigilant despite Iran-Israel truce Two Iraqi delegations to arrive in Erbil to resolve financial disputes with KRG A+ A- ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - Marshlands in southern Iraq are drying up due to worsening drought and declining groundwater levels, a local official warned, as authorities scramble to mitigate the crisis that has already displaced over 10,000 families. 'Most of the marshlands in the north of our province have dried up, and we are trying to revive some of them through the Tigris River, but there is no solution for the other dried marshlands in our province,' said Zeinab al-Asadi, head of the provincial agriculture committee in Dhi Qar. The Tigris River, one of Iraq's two major waterways, flows from Turkey through northern and central Iraq and is a vital source of water for agriculture, drinking, and the marshlands. 'The groundwater level in our province has decreased significantly, and groundwater continues to drop further. This is a major problem facing the residents,' Asadi added. According to Dhi Qar's meteorology directorate, less than 50 millimeters of rain fell in the province last winter - a decline from over 80 millimeters recorded in previous years. 'This year, there was a drought in our province. The water level in the marshlands has decreased to nearly half a meter, when previously none of them were less than a meter [deep],' Asadi said. 'Certainly, in this season, that remaining half meter will also decrease, because much of it will evaporate,' she said. The prolonged drought and desertification have already displaced thousands of people. The local office of the Ministry of Migration and Displacement reported that by October, more than 10,000 families had been forced to move out of areas surrounding the marshlands. 'Part of the citizens were displaced due to the drying of marshlands and desertification,' Asadi said. To address the crisis, Asadi said they are coordinating with the Ministry of Water Resources to dig new artesian wells across the province. Dhi Qar is home to much of Iraq's historic marshlands, a UNESCO World Heritage Site considered one of the most fertile and ecologically significant areas in the country. The province's population is over 2 million, according to Iraq's census done in November. Iraq's water crisis has been exacerbated by five consecutive years of drought, soaring temperatures, and the construction of upstream dams in neighboring Turkey and Iran. These dams have sharply reduced water inflows into Iraq, leaving the country with less than 40 percent of its entitled share from the Tigris and Euphrates rivers - Iraq's primary water sources. Malik Mohammed contributed to this reported.
