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Iraq's Abadi's regional tour was a failure-experts June 22 2017 11:03 PM Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi Many analysts, commentators argued about the benefits of Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi's recent regional tour that included Saudi Arabia, Kuwait and Iran. On Monday Abadi kicked off his regional tour. On the first leg, he went to Riyadh. Then, he visited Iran and Kuwait. Many saw Abadi seeking through this tour to reinforce his legitimacy of ruling Iraq after defeating ISIS, as the battles to retake the war-torn city is about to finish. At the end of his tour, Abadi hasn't accomplished anything, albeit delaying some of Iraq's debts. Abadi's visit to Saudi Arabia Abadi's visit to Saudi Arabia didn't have any serious results other than bolstering bilateral ties and common interests that serve the Iraqi and Saudi peoples. The Prime minister even failed to gain the much needed support to rebuild Iraqi in the post-ISIS era. This came as he couldn't convince the Saudi administration that he is not an Iranian puppet. Khamenei puppeteers Abadi from Iran Khamenei warned the Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi against any measures that could weaken the Tehran-backed Shi'ite IMIS militias, saying such actions would endanger Baghdad's stability. At a meeting in Tehran, Khamenei said the Shi'ite militias were Iraq's main forces pushing back Sunnis in Iraq, and Baghdad should not trust the United States in the fight against ISIS, Iranian state media reported. Sunnis in areas freed from ISIS control say the Shi'ite militias have carried out looting, abductions, murder and sectarian genocide. Some Arab leaders in northern Iraq have asked for IMIS to be dissolved or expelled from their Sunni-majority provinces. Abadi met Khamenei a day after his visit to Saudi Arabia. "We should remain vigilant of the Americans and not trust them. The Americans and their followers are against Iraq's independence, unity and identity," Khamenei said. Khamenei also reiterated Iran's disagreement with any measure that threatened the territorial integrity of Iraq and divides the country. Khamenei's orders to Abadi come as Iraq's autonomous Kurdish region announced this month that it would hold a referendum on independence, a move that Baghdad's Shi'ite-led government has rejected. Abadi must denounce his puppeteers or resign After his failed tour and humiliation from his Iranian master, many Iraqi analysts and commentators urged Abadi to either denounce Iran's Khamenei or resign. They also called for the total dismantle of IMIS militias after many international and local human rights organizations accused the Iranian proxy militias of carrying out sectarian cleansing operations against Sunni civilians in Iraq. Iran uses its militias in Iraq to execute its scheme of creating a Shiite crescent that carves from the Iranian borders to Iraq, through Syria and ending up at Lebanon to reach the Mediterranean Sea. Many see that dismantling IMIS militias is a necessity especially as the battle against ISIS terrorists is almost finished after they are being defeated in Mosul. http://www.thebaghdadpost.com/en/story/13443/Iraq-s-Abadi-s-regional-tour-was-a-failure-experts

الدمشقي‏ @Mendeshor 18m18 minutes ago Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that. #Mosul #الموصل by: @ JacoubM pic.twitter.com/0T0rMczMRh 1:19 PM - 22 Jun 2017

solvemee‏ @solvemee Jun 21 These little girls will live the rest of their lives without their parents, who were killed in #Mosul liberation. pic.twitter.com/zlFepMJ7Ct 2:58 AM - 21 Jun 2017

Islamic Scientists' Top Official Describes Voting in Referendum a Religious Obligation Basnews English 22/06/2017 - 21:53 Kurdistan ERBIL—The head of the Union of Kurdistan Islamic Scientists stated on Thursday that the Islamic scientists in the Kurdistan Region support any strides towards the independence of the Kurdistan Region as a religious obligation. Speaking to BasNews, Abdulla Saeed said voting to the referendum on independence of the Kurdistan Region from Iraq is a religious national duty for the entire people of Kurdistan. Regarding the position of Islamic scientists and preachers to the referendum, Saeed stated they back the decision by Kurdistan Region political leadership for holding the referendum on September 25 this year and will do their best for encouraging the public to vote in the process. "The Islamic scientists have a dynamic role in interpretation of religious terms for the public and I'm sure that in the coming three months they will play an active role by explaining the concept and importance of statehood for the citizens," Saeed added. http://www.basnews.com/index.php/en/news/kurdistan/359665

Barzani Demands EU Not to Oppose God-Given Natural Rights of Kurdish People kurdibas 22/06/2017 - 19:21 Kurdistan ERBIL— Kurdistan Region President on Thursday called on the European Union (EU) to not oppose the rights of the people of the Kurdistan Region for holding the independence referendum from Baghdad. Masoud Barzani also underlined for Iraq and Kurdistan to become two neighbors is the only option left out in order to avoid additional wars, calamities and threats. President Barzani made the comments as he received in his office in Erbil a delegation of European consuls, led by Patrick Simon, the president of the EU mission in Iraq. In the meeting, where the leaders from the major political parties in Kurdistan, including secular and religious-oriented parties, were present, President Barzani also touched on the factors that pushed Kurdistan Region to plan the referendum. Barzani explained to the delegation that from the establishment of the Republic of Iraq in 1921 to 2003, Kurds were deprived of power-sharing and citizenship rights while 4,500 villages of Kurdistan were destroyed, 180,000 Kurdish individuals became victims of Anfal process, and large swathes of Kurdistan came under chemical gas attack by the Baath regime. As of 1991 and thanks to the proclamation of no fly zone in favor of the Kurdistan Region, Kurdish people opened a new chapter and for the sake of territorial unity of Iraq and peace reconciled with those who committed genocide against them, said Barzani. “Unfortunately, that also did not work because the dominating mentality in Baghdad was the culture of sidelining and criminalizing people of Kurdistan,” he remarked. Barzani added after the fall of the Baath regime in 2003, with hopes for a new life, the Kurdish authorities exerted the best of their efforts to help in reconstructing a country on the bases of democracy, federalism, constitution, power-sharing and consensus, “But all these principles were overlooked and infringed by the successive Iraqi governments.” “It came to a point that as a political punishment, the sustenance of the entire people of Kurdistan was suspended and this was a dangerous termination to all the efforts for power-sharing,” stated Barzani in reference to the budget cut of Kurdistan Region since 2014. Barzani also made reference to the massacre of the Kurdish Yezidi people in Sinjar, Nineveh province, by the Islamic State (IS) organization as another outcome of the sanctions against the Kurdistan Region and its Peshmerga forces, who are deprived from funds and weaponry by the Iraqi government for several years. The Iraqi government did not protect Kurdish people and other components against the extremists who held the most sophisticated weapons, Barzani said. Kurdistan Region President described Kurdish understanding of the Republic of Iraq as “a bitter experience,” for they tried all measures for protecting the territorial unity of Iraq by making big sacrifices and giving big prices which proved futile. He added now that the power-sharing principle is not respected by Baghdad and in order to avoid additional wars, calamities and threatening issues “Let’s be two neighbors living next to each other.” Kurdistan President also stressed there is no turning point in the decision to run the referendum on September 25, 2017 and based on the results Kurdistan leadership will seek all peaceful measures and dialogue routes with Baghdad to work out an understanding that can serve peace and development for both Baghdad and Erbil as well as the region. Despite all the disputes and differences with the Iraqi government, Peshmerga supported Iraqi forces, Barzani said, underlining coordination with the Iraqi army to combat terrorism will remain Kurdistan Region’s priority. Barzani also demanded the EU to support the people of Kurdistan in their appeal for independence which he described as “legitimate, natural, and God-given right,” stressing the people of Kurdistan also expect the EU to support them in overcoming the obstacles. During the meeting, the EU Representative in Iraq Patrick Simon alluded to the meeting of the EU foreign ministers in Brussels on June 19,2017, stating that the participants to the assembly reiterated their support for Kurdistan Region in dealing with the challenges and issues. The official highlighted that Erbil-Baghdad relations are of significance for the EU which stresses the entire Iraqi components avoid unilateral decision and unite in the face of terrorism and for establishing peace. http://www.basnews.com/index.php/en/news/kurdistan/359633

(In Pictures): First Shop in Erbil Exclusive to Kurdistan Gifts Opened Mohamad Dargalaye 22/06/2017 - 21:01 Culture & Arts ERBIL— A shop offering customers special miniature gifts which copy the natural attractions of Kurdistan and its symbols was opened on Thursday evening in Erbil’s Family Mall. The inauguration ceremony kicked off with the slogan “A Gift from the Heart of Kurdistan” and included some cultural activities. The shop was opened by Kurdistan Gift Company, owned by Ali Zeyto (a Kurd from Turkey). http://www.basnews.com/index.php/en/culture-arts/359654

7,000 civilians freed from ISIS in Farouq neighborhood in Mosul June 22 2017 06:23 PM , Counter-terrorism Special Forces Commander Gen, Ma'an al-Sa'adi Iraqi security forces freed over 7,000 civilians from ISIS terrorists at al-Farouq neighborhood in the Old City of Mosul district in the right bank of Mosul, Counter-terrorism Special Forces Commander Gen, Ma'an al-Sa'adi announced on Thursday. He asserted that these civilians were sent to security checkpoints, so they could check their identities over fears of ISIS sleeper cells hiding among them. Then they will be sent to displacement camps. These efforts come as part of an offensive launched on 19th of February by the US-backed Iraqi security forces, supported by Iranian-backed sectarian IMIS Shiite militias, to oust ISIS terrorists from Mosul, their last major stronghold in Iraq. http://www.thebaghdadpost.com/en/story/13430/7-000-civilians-freed-from-ISIS-in-Farouq-neighborhood-in-Mosul

Iraqi VP Nujaifi calls for holding international conference in Iraq June 22 2017 03:43 PM Iraqi VP Iraqi VP Osama al-Nujaifi called on Thursday for holding an international conference to solve the problems and the political disputes in Iraq. During his meeting with the Russian Ambassador to Iraq Maxim Maximov, he said that the political disputes and the failures that Iraq suffers from require dialogue and understanding under international auspices. The international conference could be a guarantee for the balance and unity of Iraq and it could also guarantee the justice that will help to achieve the advancement for the benefit of the Iraqi citizens, he added. Nujaifi confirmed that the international conference will help the Iraqi citizens find acceptable solutions, away from individuality and agendas that harm the Iraqi public interest. http://www.thebaghdadpost.com/en/story/13423/Iraqi-VP-Nujaifi-calls-for-holding-international-conference-in-Iraq

National Alliance, Sadrist Movement form united parl't bloc June 22 2017 09:52 PM Ayad Allawi and Muqtada al-Sadr Sadrist Movement political committee announced on Thursday that the movement agreed to form a united parliamentary bloc with the National Alliance. The committee revealed that this bloc was formed to accelerate the formation of new critical law and to form possible solutions for Iraq's problems. In a statement, the committee said that its representative Jaafar al-Mousawi received representative of the alliance leader Ayad Allawi delegate Kazim al-Shemari. The two sides agreed to form this alliance to solve Iraq's problems in the post-ISIS era, the statement added. This comes after Iraqi Vice President Ayad Allawi received a message from Sadrist Movement leader Muqtada al-Sadr in May that included plans for the next general election and post-ISIS era. http://www.thebaghdadpost.com/en/story/13438/National-Alliance-Sadrist-Movement-form-united-parl-t-bloc

Assassination wave returns to Mosul's Hamam al-Alil – Source June 22 2017 03:33 PM State of insecurity in Iraq Hamam al-Alil town, located in southern Mosul, is witnessing a wave of assassinations, a security source told The Baghdad Post on Thursday. The source said that ISIS terrorists had killed the head of al-Abd village and another civilian in Hamam al-Alil town. Brigadier-General Amer al-Mohsen has been killed when a fight erupted between him and Tribal Crowd in his village, al-Zawiya, located in al-Qayara town, southern Mosul, the source added. ISIS terror group has captured large swathes of Iraq since 2014. Since then, Iraqi cities are witnessing a state of insecurity and chaos as terror attacks target civilians. The fight to retake Mosul, which has been a key ISIS stronghold, was launched more than eight months ago. It is estimated that there are a few of ISIS terrorists left in the second largest city of Iraq. It is expected that they will desperately defend the last pocket of the city that has been once their main stronghold in Iraq. http://www.thebaghdadpost.com/en/story/13422/Assassination-wave-returns-to-Mosul-s-Hamam-al-Alil-Source

US-led Coalition responds to ISIS' destruction of Mosul's Nuri Mosque June 22 2017 07:32 PM Army Maj. Gen. Joseph M. Martin, commanding general of Combined Joint Forces Land Component Command- US-led Coalition has responded on Thursday to ISIS' destruction of Mosul' Great al-Nuri Mosque in the right bank of Mosul, denying any shelling operations in the area. The mosque was well known as the place where ISIS leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi made his infamous speech announcing the so-called caliphate on July 4, 2014. "As our Iraqi Security Force partners closed in on the al-Nuri mosque, ISIS destroyed one of Mosul’s and Iraq's great treasures,” said Army Maj. Gen. Joseph M. Martin, commanding general of Combined Joint Forces Land Component Command-Operation Inherent Resolve. “This is a crime against the people of Mosul and all of Iraq, and is an example of why this brutal organization must be annihilated,” Martin said. “The responsibility of this devastation is laid firmly at the doorstep of ISIS, and we continue to support our Iraqi partners as they bring these terrorists to justice. However, the battle for the liberation of Mosul is not yet complete, and we remain focused on supporting the ISF with that objective in mind." The mosque had stood in Mosul for over eight centuries, and its famous leaning minaret earned the city of Mosul the nickname “the hunchback.” The US-led coalition is working by, with, and through the government of Iraq to defeat ISIS in Mosul and throughout Iraq. The coalition contributes to the defeat of ISIS by providing the Iraqi forces with equipment, training, intelligence and surveillance, precision fire support and military advice to leaders. The coalition has enabled the Iraqi Security Forces to reclaim over 47,000 square kilometers of their land from ISIS for the people of Iraq. http://www.thebaghdadpost.com/en/story/13434/US-led-Coalition-responds-to-ISIS-destruction-of-Mosul-s-Nuri-Mosque

Iraq PM Haider Abadi says Mosul liberation within few days June 22 2017 07:18 PM Haider Abadi Iraqi Prime Minister Haider Abadi said on Thursday the Iraqi armed forces would fully liberate Mosul from ISIS terrorists within a few days, The Baghdad Post reported. Iraqi army, backed by the US-led international coalition, launched on Feb.19th an offensive to recapture Mosul's right bank from ISIS grip. Iran-allied IMIS militias are supporting the Iraqi army. Mosul fell to ISIS in 2014. Iraqi former PM Nouri al-Maliki faces accusations of colluding with the terror group. http://www.thebaghdadpost.com/en/story/13433/Iraq-PM-Haider-Abadi-says-Mosul-liberation-within-few-days

Yes IMO....Sadr supports Abadi however economic reform must happen sooner than later & corruption of politicians brought to JUSTICE.

SG7, Sadr is against Maliki as well as all of the corruption with the GOI & Parliament members. He has turned a new leaf to fight for all Iraqi citizens.