Early Election Results Show 56% Voter Turnout In Iraq

 

November 11 Iraq held its seventh parliamentary elections. Despite widespread worries about apathy amongst the public there was an increase in voters and the highest participation rate since 2014.

Iraq’s Ruling Parties Drop Idea Of Early Elections

(AFP)

When Iraq’s ruling parties were negotiating a new government in the summer and fall of 2022 they were discussing early elections. This was mostly pushed by Moqtada al-Sadr and supported by his allies Speaker Mohammed Halbusi and the Kurdistan Democratic Party. The idea was that the elite would agree upon a compromise premier but then hold elections again for a more permanent government. Sadr was initially in the dominant position with the most seats in parliament and thought he would do even better if voting was held again solidifying his position as the new leader in the country.

Clashes In South Fueled By Political Dispute Over New Iraqi Govt

(Reuters)

Sadr has lost almost all of his political influence over forming the next government in Iraq. He overplayed his hand when he withdrew his parliamentarians and now only has the street and violence to turn to. That has led to a number of clashes, protests and assassinations in southern Iraq between Sadr’s followers and his rivals in the Coordination Framework.

Protesters Mark 3 Yr Anniversary Of Movement Marred By Sadrists

(AFP)

On October 1 activists returned to the streets of Baghdad and the south to mark the three-year anniversary of the protest movement. Not as many people as planned showed up while the Sadrists tried to take over the event in the capital. Things were peaceful in most of the country but in Basra and Baghdad there were day long clashes with the police.

Futility Of Sadr’s Position On Forming New Iraqi Govt

Sadrists stormed the Green Zone once again but to no avail (AP)

On September 28 Iraq’s parliament met after a nearly two month hiatus and re-affirmed its confidence in Speaker Mohammed al-Halbusi who offered his resignation. The body then elected Muhsin al-Mandalawi as deputy speaker to replace Sadrist Hakim al-Zamili.

New Iraqi Alliance, Will Sadr Join To Form Next Iraqi Govt?

(AFP)

A new list is being put together in Iraq to try to break the political deadlock in the country and form the next government. It includes both rivals and allies of Moqtada al-Sadr. They hope to make an offer to Sadr to join them but it’s still an open question over whether he will or not.

Sadr Has 2 Setbacks In Latest Iraq Govt Formation Drama

(AFP)

In Iraq’s on going political soap opera Moqtada al-Sadr has faced two new setbacks.

Sadr Calls Off His Followers, What Comes Next In Iraqi Politics?

One day it seems like Iraq is heading towards civil war. The next everything is calm. That’s what happened from August 29-30.

Iraq Descends Into Chaos With Open Fighting Between Shiite Parties

(Reuters)

Monday August 29 started off like recent days with Moqtada al-Sadr announcing that that he was abandoning politics another time and his followers marching on the Green Zone even though it already occupied sections of the area already. The security forces fired sound bombs and live ammunition at the crowd and ended up killing at least one Sadrist. Then everything descended into chaos.

Sadrists Try To Pressure Courts To Dismiss Iraq’s Parliament

(NRT)

On August 23 Moqtada al-Sadr tried a new tactic. He sent his followers to protest outside the Supreme Judicial Council in Baghdad. His intent was to pressure the courts to dismiss the parliament so new elections could be held which would hopefully give he and his allies the majority needed to create a new administration. This was despite the courts saying they had no authority to do that. Sadr doesn’t want parliament to vote on the matter because he might be defeated so he’s using the streets again to try to press his point.

Iraq’s Political Parties Stand Off Takes To the Streets

Coordination Framework has started its own sit-in outside Baghdad's Green Zone (AP)

 

Iraq’s ruling parties have entered into a new phase of political deadlock. It is now marked by rival protests focused upon the Green Zone in Baghdad. Moqtada al-Sadr hoped that going to the streets would force his opponents in the Coordination Framework to give into his demands but they have countered by calling out their people as well.

Sadr Abandoned Politics Out Of Frustration Now Wants To Return

(Bas News)

Frustrated with his opponents in the Coordination Framework blocking his attempt to form a majority government Moqtada al-Sadr dropped out of Iraqi politics in June ordering his parliamentarians to resign. He then went to the streets and occupied the Green Zone in Baghdad. Now he is attempting to step back from the brink and calling for parliament to be dismissed and new elections held.

Iraq Steps Back From The Brink For Now

Coordination Framework followers protesting outside Baghdad's Green Zone (Al-Masalah)

Iraq’s political forces escapade an explosive situation on Monday. The Coordination Framework called out its followers to take to the streets threatening to seize control of government buildings to counter the Sadrists’ occupation of the parliament building. The idea of two mobs of hundreds of people possibly leading to clashes and armed confrontations scared the leaders of the Framework who backed down.

Sadrists Take Over Iraq’s Parliament Building To Protest PM Candidate - In Pictures

 On July 27 hundreds of Sadrists gathered in Baghdad marched on the Green Zone, breached security and took over the parliament building. They chanted against Iran and the Coordination Framework’s new nominee for prime minister Mohammed al-Sudani. He is a long time member of the Dawa Party and the State of Law list of Sadr’s main rival Nouri al-Maliki. Sadr withdrew his parliamentarians from the government but hopes to use his mass following to block any moves by the Framework. This was his latest escalation in the battle of wills between the two sides. 

Coordination Framework Picks Its Candidate For Iraq PM But Doesn’t Resolve Anything

(Kurdistan 24)

The Coordination Framework has finally made its choice for prime minister. That’s State of Law member Mohammed al-Sudani. It’s an interesting choice because he was rejected for that position in 2019.

Leaked Recordings Of Maliki Exclude Him From PM Candidacy

(Al Mada)

One of the biggest issue in Iraqi politics right now isn’t the inability of the ruling parties to form a new government but a series of tapes released on Twitter that feature Nuri al-Maliki not only attacking his rival Moqtada al-Sadr but his allies within the Coordination Framework. That has cost him a bid to be prime minister a third time.

Leaked Recordings Of Maliki Increase Political Tensions In Iraq

A series of recordings of Nuri al-Maliki have been released on Twitter which are causing the latest controversy in Iraqi politics. Maliki is heard attacking his main rival Moqtada al-Sadr as well as his allies within the Coordination Framework.

Sadr Finally Pulls Off His Much-Anticipated March To Intimidate His Rivals

(AP)

On July 15 Moqtada al-Sadr held a large Friday prayer ceremony to show the power of his movement to his political rivals the Coordination Framework. Since Sadr withdrew his parliamentarians at the end of June he has been threatening mass demonstrations to disrupt his opponents.

Violence Hits A New Low In Iraq In June 2022

Violence in Iraq hit a new low in June 2022. The number of incidents by the Islamic State were the lowest for any month since 2003. The militants show no sign of starting their annual summer offensive either. Pro-Iran groups did slightly increase their operations.

 

Political Violence By Pro-Iran Groups Continues In Iraq

(Iraq Oil Report)

Political violence is an ongoing issue in Iraq. Instead of the Islamic State it’s pro-Iran groups connected with the Coordination Framework list that are responsible. In June they have attacked both the Iraqi intelligence agency as well as a Kurdish gas field.