Coordination Framework Can’t Rally Its Own MPs To Hold Parliamentary Vote To Demand US Leave Iraq

(Acting Speaker of Parliament Mandalawi's Office)

On February 10 Iraq’s parliament was to meet and vote on a resolution demanding the U.S.-led Coalition depart Iraq. That didn’t happen because of a boycott by Sunni and Kurdish parliamentarians. Not only that but a large number of lawmakers from the largest bloc the Coalition Framework didn’t show up either.

 

On Saturday parliament was supposed to cast a vote demanding the departure of foreign forces from Iraq. The session fell into chaos as only 82 out of 329 MPs attended. No Sunni parliamentarians were there and only two Kurds from the Kurdistan Islamic Party showed up. At the same time almost 100 lawmakers from the Coordination Framework which is the largest bloc within the legislature were not there either.

 

The Kurds and Sunnis want the American presence to continue because it gives them allies against the Framework which is aligned with Iran. Even Prime Minister Mohammed Sudani’s commitment to having the U.S. leave immediately can be questioned. None of his actions have shown any urgency.

 

The meeting was in response to the latest U.S. strike on Iraq that killed a commander in Kataib Hezbollah in Baghdad.

 

The Framework was quick to condemn the Sunni and Kurdish parties and threatened retaliation. An MP from the Sayid al-Shuhada Brigade said that the acting speaker of parliament would stay in office and any attempt to replace him by the Sunni parties would be blocked. Another lawmaker from the Framework said that there would be no talk of increasing Kurdistan’s share of the budget.

 

The Framework should really be mad at itself because if it was able to rally all of its members it would have had the votes to pass the resolution calling for a withdrawal. It’s another sign that most of this is political theater right now.

 

SOURCES

 

Al Aalem, “The Framework threatens Sunnis and Kurds to keep Mandalawi and prevent changing the region’s share,” 2/11/24

 

Bertrand, Natasha, Liebermann, Oren, Tawfeeq, Mohammed and Britzky, Haley, “US conducts strike in Iraq on Kataib Hezbollah commander responsible for attacks on American forces,” CNN, 2/7/24

 

Chalak, Chenar, “Iraqi parliament condemns US strikes, refers expulsion bid to committees,” Rudaw, 2/10/24

 

Al Mada, “The Framework clings to diplomacy and angry representatives threaten Sunnis and Kurds,” 2/11/24

 

Al Rafidain, “Parliament Failed To Vote On The Decision To Remove American Forces From Iraq,” 2/11/24