Latest news with #al-Sudani
Shafaq News
a day ago
- Business
- Shafaq News
Iraq eyes major Baghdad Airport expansion
Shafaq News/ On Thursday, Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani called for the modernization of Baghdad International Airport, aiming to match the capital's stature amid rising passenger demand. According to a statement from the prime minister's media office, al-Sudani chaired a meeting with representatives from the International Finance Corporation (IFC), government advisors, and the head of Iraq's Civil Aviation Authority. The discussion confirmed that bidding documents are finalized and that a request for proposals will soon be issued to qualified companies, with competitive dialogue rounds planned to select the most suitable offer. Al-Sudani also stressed the importance of bringing the airport's services and infrastructure in line with international standards, emphasizing the protection of current employees' rights, the enhancement of their skills, and the creation of new job opportunities. Moreover, development consultants presented the project's key features, including the construction of a new terminal designed to handle 8.5 million passengers annually, with traffic expected to reach 15 million before 2040. The planned upgrades further include modernizing runways and aprons, streamlining passenger flow, unifying VIP terminals, and strengthening operational oversight.
Shafaq News
2 days ago
- Politics
- Shafaq News
Iraq's CF ‘uneasy' over three political shifts ahead of 2025 polls
Shafaq News/ The Iraqi Home Front movement (Harak al-Bayt al-Iraqi) warned on Wednesday that the Coordination Framework (CF), a political alliance of predominantly Shiite parties, is growing increasingly uneasy over three key shifts that could upend the political landscape ahead of the November 2025 elections. Movement leader Muhyi al-Ansari told Shafaq News the CF fears the possible return of the Patriotic Shiite Movement (formerly the Sadrists), especially if it aligns with civil groups or Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani, arguing such a coalition could seriously disrupt the current balance of power. Al-Ansari also criticized Iraq's Independent High Electoral Commission for 'failing' to enforce the Political Parties Law, which prohibits armed factions from contesting elections—calling the lapse a 'direct constitutional breach.' The third concern, he noted, is growing public support for independents and technocrats, which threatens to weaken traditional political blocs. Several key figures have already announced their candidacies, including Nouri al-Maliki, head of the State of Law Coalition; al-Sudani of the Euphrates Movement (Al-Furatain); Hadi al-Amiri, head of the Badr Organization; Former Parliament Speaker Mohammed al-Halbousi of the Progressive (Taqaddum) Party; and Mohsen al-Mandalawi, head of the National Foundation (Al-Asas) Coalition. Badr MP Mukhtar al-Mousawi called the upcoming vote 'difficult and decisive,' pointing to a trend among veteran leaders forming separate lists as Sudani distances himself from the CF. Analyst Mujashaa al-Tamimi told Shafaq News that the return of familiar names signals a tactical shift amid changing dynamics. 'Baghdad has become the focal point of political competition,' he said, warning that reformist forces could challenge entrenched elites. Meanwhile, the CF scrapped earlier plans to run fragmented slates and will now field joint lists in Diyala, Nineveh, and Saladin. The decision follows the formation of a new alliance—Qarar (Decision)—led by al-Sudani's al-Furatin Movement, al-Amiri's Badr Organization, and PMF chief Faleh al-Fayyadh.
Shafaq News
3 days ago
- Business
- Shafaq News
Iraq explores US SpaceX partnership for digital shift
Shafaq News/ Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani met, on Wednesday, with a delegation from US tech firm SpaceX (Starlink) to explore cooperation in Iraq's communications sector. According to the PM's office, al-Sudani called Iraq a 'promising' market for investment and urged officials to facilitate Starlink's entry and speed up procedures. He also welcomed US tech companies as key partners in the country's 'digital transformation.' In turn, the SpaceX team confirmed readiness to operate in Iraq, noting that Starlink would strengthen digital infrastructure, 'enhance communications, and support economic prosperity.'
Shafaq News
3 days ago
- Politics
- Shafaq News
Baghdad: Ground zero in the battle for Iraq's Parliament
Shafaq News/ Iraq's old-guard power players are reclaiming the spotlight as Capital Frontmen, each locking in the number one ballot position in Baghdad ahead of a high-stakes parliamentary election in the country's most contested arena. Among the political 'veterans' contesting the capital are Nouri al-Maliki, leader of the State of Law Coalition; Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani of the Euphrates Movement (Al-Furatain); Hadi al-Ameri, head of the Badr Organization; Former Parliament Speaker Mohammed al-Halbousi of the Taqaddum Party; and Mohsen al-Mandalawi, head of the Al-Asas Coalition. All are entering the race with individual lists. These figures remain "popularly accepted" in Baghdad, according to Mukhtar al-Moussawi, a senior official in the Badr Organization, who described, to Shafaq News Agency, the upcoming election on November 11, 2025, as 'difficult and decisive,' reflecting rising tensions within the ruling coalition and beyond. It remains unclear where the largest voting bloc will lean, especially if the previous election serves as a benchmark. At the time, the Sadrist Movement secured 27 seats before its leader, Muqtada al-Sadr, withdrew his parliamentary bloc amid fierce disputes over the results and subsequent calls to rerun the vote. Al-Moussawi attributed the fragmentation to recent moves by al-Sudani to distance himself from the Coordination Framework, a Shiite bloc that underpins much of the current government. Al-Sudani's Coalition Al-Sudani unveiled a broad electoral alliance under the banner of the "Reconstruction and Development Coalition' bringing together seven political forces: al-Sudani's own Euphrates Movement, the Bilad Sumer Gathering led by Labor Minister Ahmed al-Asadi, the National Coalition of former Prime Minister Ayad Allawi, Karbala Innovation Alliance headed by Karbala Governor Nassif al-Khattabi, Ajyal Bloc of MP Mohammed al-Sayhoud, National Solutions Alliance led by Mohammed Sahib al-Daraji, and the National Contract party led by Faleh al-Fayyadh. The Coordination Framework, once a unified force, will now enter the vote with multiple lists. State of Law, Asaib Ahl al-Haq, and Ammar al-Hakim's Hikma Movement are each fielding their slates. Still, leaders maintain the option to reunify post-election, potentially forming a consolidated bloc depending on the outcome. All eyes are now on the potential gains of several blocs, particularly those that underperformed in Baghdad during the last election compared to the Sadrists' strong showing. Key questions linger about the possibility of the State of Law Coalition surpassing its previous 11-seat tally, or the Euphrates Movement winning more than a single seat. Similar doubts surround other factions that secured only minimal representation at the time. Regional and Local Contexts Political analyst Mujashaa al-Tamimi framed the return of veteran leaders as part of a larger recalibration driven by internal and regional developments. Domestically, Baghdad's role as the epicenter of political power has magnified its importance, making it a crucial battleground for influence. 'The resurgence of younger, reform-oriented figures poses a visible challenge to traditional elites,' al-Tamimi noted to Shafaq News, emphasizing that these established leaders are keen to reinforce their relevance and maintain control of the political narrative. Regionally, Iraqi factions are navigating shifting dynamics. Waning Iranian influence, changes in Syria's political regime, and pressure on Hezbollah in Lebanon have redrawn the regional landscape. Also, Ongoing US-Iran talks, viewed as nearing resolution, may further reshape power alignments, prompting Iraqi players to seek legitimacy at home. 'Elections in Baghdad send the clearest message, those who want to influence Iraq's future must begin here, not in neighboring capitals,' al-Tamimi added. Baghdad: The Heart of Competition Former MP Kazem al-Sayyadi pointed to Baghdad's electoral weight, 69 parliamentary seats, equal to roughly five southern provinces combined, as the core reason for the fierce contest. He also flagged growing concerns over vote-buying, with reports of ballots fetching up to one million dinars or $300 in some districts, as he revealed to Shafaq News. Despite the mounting momentum, the race remains unpredictable. Former lawmaker Kamel al-Ghurairi observed that while some figures wield nationwide influence, 'no single leader is guaranteed dominance in Baghdad,' he stated in an interview with Shafaq News. Iraq's Independent High Electoral Commission confirmed that over 29 million Iraqis are eligible to vote, with ongoing updates to the voter registry. Campaigning is expected to begin shortly before the election date.
Iraqi News
6 days ago
- Politics
- Iraqi News
Prime Minister on Iraqi Engineers' Day: We affirm our support for our engineers in sustaining the development and reconstruction process
Baghdad-INA Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani congratulated Iraqi engineers on Sunday on the occasion of Iraqi Engineers' Day, affirming his support for engineers and providing everything possible to enable them to contribute to sustaining the development and reconstruction process. In a post on the (X) website, followed by the Iraqi News Agency (INA), al-Sudani said, "On Iraqi Engineers' Day, we extend our sincere congratulations to Iraqi engineers and commend their outstanding role in building the nation, as they represent an extension of Iraq's great civilizations." He added, "We affirm our support for our engineers and provide everything possible to enable them to contribute to sustaining the development and reconstruction process, upgrading the country, and placing it in its rightful place."
