Guest views are now limited to 12 pages. If you get an "Error" message, just sign in! If you need to create an account, click here.

Jump to content
  • CRYPTO REWARDS!

    Full endorsement on this opportunity - but it's limited, so get in while you can!

'There are no red lines with the political forces'.. The Sadrist movement talks about the steps to form the government


yota691
 Share

Recommended Posts

Well I guess the time is finally here to see if Iraq is ready to get a clean break from its terrorist neighbor. 
Al-Kazemi will have a choice now to rid Iraq of its Iranian corrupt ways an take the Iraq army and cleanse the streets of its militias. 
Maliki and his bunch of Iranian puppets will be the ones to watch out for and I’m thinking that’s one reason why Al-Sadr is making provisions to work with the USA….

  • Thanks 3
  • Upvote 1
  • Pow! 5
Link to comment
Share on other sites

 

 

The state of security alert continues in the Iraqi capital, Baghdad (Mortada Al-Sudani / Anatolia)
 

It is scheduled to hold, this evening, Sunday evening, an expanded meeting in Baghdad called by former Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki , which includes leaders of the so-called " coordinating framework of Shiite political forces ", which was founded and headed by al-Maliki himself, to discuss the election results. Iraq 2021 , which was conducted on the tenth of this month, and showed a sharp decline of the forces allied to Iran.

Al-Maliki’s invitation to the meeting comes hours after the escalation of the supporters of the losing forces in the Iraqi elections gathered in front of the gates of the Green Zone , by passing the first security barrier and approaching the main gate of the international zone, which includes the American and British embassy, and the United Nations mission, as well as government headquarters, while the state of alert continues. Security in the Iraqi capital, Baghdad, is at its strongest.

 

The losing forces, including the militia wings that participate in the Iraqi elections, most notably the "Hezbollah Brigades" militia, are calling for a recount and manual counting of the electoral votes, which amount to about 10 million electoral votes, throughout the cities of Iraq, at a time when the commission is heading to resolve electoral appeals in order to Adopting the results and sending them to the Judicial Council for approval.

Al-Maliki’s invitation to the meeting comes hours after the escalation of the supporters of the losing forces in the elections, who gathered in front of the gates of the Green Zone, by passing the first security barrier.

Al-Maliki said, in a statement, that the meeting scheduled for this evening is for the "coordinating framework of the Shiite forces", and aims to "resolve the crisis of the election results" in Iraq, adding that "the meeting will discuss ideas and mechanisms to address and contain the crisis and prevent its repercussions, and to give those affected their right under the constitution and the law." , so that the demands do not deviate from their legitimate framework,” and stressed that “the meeting will be for the purpose of resolving the crisis, not a political alliance.”

Meanwhile, protesters affiliated with armed forces and factions close to Iran , which lost the legislative elections in Iraq, continue to gather near the gates of the Green Zone.

Local sources told Al-Araby Al-Jadeed, who spoke on condition of anonymity, that the sit-in tents were concentrated at the gate of the Green Zone on the side of the Jadriya neighborhood, which includes the headquarters of most of the Iraqi militias, explaining that the protesters began demanding a manual recounting, while accusing the United Nations mission in Iraq said it was cooperating with the outgoing government headed by Mustafa Al-Kazemi and the Iraqi Electoral Commission to "steal" the votes of Shiite political entities.

On Friday, the UN Security Council expressed its regret over the "recent threats of violence against the United Nations Assistance Mission for Iraq and the staff of the Independent High Electoral Commission," while calling on those objecting to the results to "take legal methods." The Council did not miss the opportunity to "congratulate the Iraqi people and the government on the occasion of the recent elections."

 

The council called, in a statement, to "resolve any electoral disputes that may arise" by peaceful and legal means, adding that the council members expressed "their aspiration to form an inclusive government that represents the will of the Iraqi people and their demands to consolidate democracy."

For his part, the leader of the "Sadr movement"  Muqtada al-Sadr , in a statement today, Sunday, called on neighboring countries not to interfere in the current election crisis, in a clear indication that it is a response to an Iranian movement to form a bloc that includes the "State of Law" and "Al-Fateh" alliances led by Maliki and Hadi. Al-Amiri, respectively, along with other small blocs aimed at collecting more than 90 seats in parliament.

Al-Sadr said that what is currently happening is an "Iraqi democratic struggle," calling on neighboring countries not to interfere with the election results, warning against measures he described as "strict" against any interference in the current crisis.

In a statement on Sunday, the leader of the "Sadr movement" Muqtada al-Sadr called on neighboring countries not to interfere in the current election crisis, in a clear indication that it is a response to an Iranian movement

In this context, a member of the "State of Law" coalition, Muhammad Al-Sihoud, told Al-Araby Al-Jadeed that the "coordinating framework of the Shiite forces", which was founded by Al-Maliki and includes the forces allied to Iran, now has more than 90 parliamentary seats.

Chihod added that these seats are "distributed among the members of the "State of Law Coalition" and the "Al-Fateh Alliance" and its blocs, and there is no reservation that the Sadrist bloc joins us for the purpose of forming a government in accordance with the electoral benefits," noting that "the political entities are determined to move forward. To form the largest bloc, but we are currently waiting for what the Electoral Commission will announce from the results of the appeals submitted to it due to fraud and manipulation that accompanied the electoral process,” as he put it.

The same spokesman stressed that "the major bloc will be announced soon, and it is open to the rest of the political entities, but its original nucleus remains the coordinating framework entities."

  • Thanks 1
  • Pow! 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

  •  Time: 10/24/2021 10:00:00
  •  
  •  Reading: 2,067 times
The coordinating framework meets this evening.. and this is what it will discuss
  
{Political: Al-Furat News} The forces of the "constitutive framework" that oppose the results of the parliamentary elections that took place on October 10, will meet this evening, Sunday.

The office of the head of the State of Law coalition, Nuri al-Maliki, said in a statement that the agency {Euphrates News} received a copy of that "the meeting was called for by the coordination framework and will be held this evening and includes all national forces to deliberate in the crisis of the election results and the wave of objections raised about it."

The head of the State of Law coalition indicated that "the meeting will discuss ideas and mechanisms to address and contain the crisis, prevent its repercussions, and give those affected their right under the constitution and the law so that the claims do not depart from their legitimate framework," noting that "the meeting will be for the purpose of resolving the crisis and not a political alliance."

  • Thanks 3
  • Upvote 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Al-Maliki reveals the agenda of the “coordinating framework” meeting scheduled for this evening
 

  

Baghdad - people  

The head of the State of Law coalition, Nuri al-Maliki, revealed, on Sunday, an upcoming meeting of the coordination framework, in order to contain the crisis of the repercussions of the election results and find solutions.  

  

 

  

Al-Maliki said in statements made through the media window and published by his office (October 24, 2021), that "the meeting was called for by the coordination framework and will be held this evening and will include all national forces in order to discuss the crisis of the election results and the wave of objections raised about it."  

Al-Maliki indicated that "the meeting will discuss ideas and mechanisms to address and contain the crisis, prevent its repercussions, and give the affected people their right under the constitution and the law so that the claims do not depart from their legitimate framework," noting that "the meeting will be for resolving the crisis and not a political alliance."  

  • Like 1
  • Thanks 4
Link to comment
Share on other sites

On 10/18/2021 at 12:48 PM, DoD said:

Well I guess the time is finally here to see if Iraq is ready to get a clean break from its terrorist neighbor. 
Al-Kazemi will have a choice now to rid Iraq of its Iranian corrupt ways an take the Iraq army and cleanse the streets of its militias. 
Maliki and his bunch of Iranian puppets will be the ones to watch out for and I’m thinking that’s one reason why Al-Sadr is making provisions to work with the USA….

Last quote interesting,

Maliki and his bunch of Iranian puppets will be the ones to watch out for and I’m thinking that’s one reason why Al-Sadr is making provisions to work with the USA…. lets change a few names and see how it come out.

 

Biden, and his bunch of Democratic, puppets will be the ones to watch out for and I’m thinking that’s one reason why Donald J trump, is making provisions to work with the USA….and bring these bunch of Filthy, Evil, Bastards down!

  • Like 2
  • Upvote 4
  • Downvote 1
  • Pow! 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Oh dear man like I said, so glad that no one was around and

we are not on Zoom or those other sites. I would be in big trouble Mista!!!  :lol:

My mouth has a way of over riding my brain.

4 hours ago, horsesoldier said:


You said that without one *^’^* expletive...good thing some of us can maintain our decorum.   :twothumbs:

 

Good one RW you gave them what for  :twothumbs:

2 hours ago, rw.sutton said:

these bunch of Filthy, Evil, Bastards down!

 

  • Upvote 5
Link to comment
Share on other sites

 

Baghdad/

Today, Saturday, the Sadrist movement assured its losing candidates in the parliamentary elections that it deals with them as "winning representatives", asking them to submit "the requests of their regions."

The movement said in a statement, "The presidency of the Sadrist movement's political body met the Sadrist bloc candidates who were not fortunate to obtain a parliamentary seat in all of Iraq's governorates, in the presence of the head of the political body of the Sadrist movement, Nassar al-Rubaie, and Ahmed al-Mutairi, the first vice president of the body."

He explained, "The meeting witnessed the discussion of many issues that accompanied the electoral process that took place on October 10, 2021."

 The statement quoted Al-Rubaie as saying that “every candidate within our Sadrist bloc is a deputy, and we do not have a losing candidate, because we are not an electoral gathering, but we are constantly in touch with the public, so you must communicate with your voters and deal with you as representatives in conveying the requests of your regions, facilitating the solution of their problems and providing services. for them".


For his part, Ahmed Al-Mutairi said, "Each candidate should write his notes about the gaps he believes he faced in order for work to be resolved in the future."

  • Thanks 4
  • Upvote 2
Link to comment
Share on other sites

On 10/25/2021 at 5:46 AM, yota691 said:

 

 The statement quoted Al-Rubaie as saying that “every candidate within our Sadrist bloc is a deputy, and we do not have a losing candidate, because we are not an electoral gathering, but we are constantly in touch with the public, so you must communicate with your voters and deal with you as representatives in conveying the requests of your regions, facilitating the solution of their problems and providing services. for them".

 

Teamwork .... and Wisdom ...!  

 

  • Upvote 2
Link to comment
Share on other sites

'There are no red lines with the political forces'.. The Sadrist movement talks about the steps to form the government
 

  

Baghdad - people  

The leader of the Sadrist movement, Amir al-Kinani, has set the date for the start of new dialogues to form the government's political map, while noting that all options are open and there are no red lines.  

  

 

  

  

Al-Kinani told the official agency, and "Nass" followed him (October 27, 2021), that "the formation of the government is premature, because we are waiting for the ratification of the election results to know the size of the final political forces," noting that "there are dialogues, movement and understandings with all forces without An exception, but we are waiting for when the Federal Court ratifies the results, there will be new dialogues in the formation of the political map for the next four years."  

He continued, "The reasons for launching the dialogues are to accept the parties' entry into the program and the government curriculum for the next ministry, because we are talking about the curriculum and programs for the next government," explaining that "all options are open and there are no red lines on the forces participating in the political process."  

And he stated, "All forces are respected and appreciated, and their presence is the choice of the public and the voters," explaining that "those who agree with us will be close to the Sadrist bloc that won first place."  

He explained, "Real and serious dialogues in forming governments will be through official delegations formed by political forces, while forums and conferences contribute to how to make decisions with political forces, many of which are entrenched within their audience and environment," noting that "conferences take us to multiple environments to be there." Diversity in subtraction.  

Al-Kinani pointed out that "the Middle East Forum is not the first, as such meetings and meetings are held periodically and annually because they are interested in Iraqi affairs at the federal and regional levels," noting that "these conferences convey perceptions and visions by many elites and competencies that benefit from Including the political forces to convey the opinion and the other opinion.

  • Thanks 3
  • Upvote 4
Link to comment
Share on other sites

The Sadrist movement determines the path of its alliances to form the government and the date of its launch

political02:22 - 10/27/2021

 
image
 
 

 

Baghdad - Mawazine News
The leader of the Sadrist movement, Amir al-Kinani, has set, on Wednesday, the date for the start of new dialogues to form the government's political map, while indicating that all options are open and there are no red lines.
Al-Kinani said, in a statement to the official agency, and followed by "Mawazine News", that "the formation of the government is premature, because we are waiting for the approval of the election results to know the size of the final political forces," noting that "there are dialogues, movement and understandings with all forces without exception, but we We are waiting when the Federal Court ratifies the results, there will be new dialogues in the formation of the political map for the next four years."
He continued, "The reasons for launching the dialogues are to accept the parties' entry into the program and the government curriculum for the next ministry, because we are talking about the curriculum and programs for the next government," explaining, that "
And he stated, "All forces are respected and appreciated, and their presence is the choice of the public and the voters," explaining that "those who agree with us will be close to the Sadrist bloc that won first place."
He explained, "Real and serious dialogues in forming governments will be through official delegations formed by political forces, while forums and conferences contribute to how to make decisions with political forces, many of which are entrenched within their audience and environment," noting that "conferences take us to multiple environments to be there." Diversity in subtraction.
Al-Kinani pointed out that "the Middle East Forum is not the first, as such meetings and meetings are held periodically and annually because they are interested in Iraqi affairs at the federal and regional levels," noting that "these conferences convey perceptions and visions by many elites and competencies that benefit from Including the political forces to convey the opinion and the other opinion.” Ended 29 / A 43

  • Thanks 4
  • Upvote 5
  • Pow! 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Hezbollah Brigades calls on the "resistance and the popular crowd" to "prepare": "the elections represented the biggest fraud"

To me this sounds like a milita man dancing around a call for  a insurrection, via a non peaceful demonstration. Time to dissolve all militias in Iraq . The people voted, this guy lost, Sadr won, get over yourself. The people don't want your type of politics in Iraq. No proxy Iranian bull in Iraq.  Let whoever gains the largest coalition  government 1st, lead Iraq. And if he proves to be a as yet undiagnosed dementia patient like our current POTUS, call for a vote of no confidence and a new election. At least I think the Iraqi constitution works like that . You wont have the people behind you if you take power at the end of a gun.

  • Upvote 5
  • Pow! 2
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Al-Fateh: The meeting at Al-Maliki's house will result in the formation of the government

political09:15 - 10/27/2021

 
image
 
 

 

 

 

Baghdad - Mawazine News 
The Al-Fateh Alliance revealed, on Wednesday, the importance of the meeting held at the home of the head of the State of Law coalition, Nuri al-Maliki, which included the Coordinating Framework forces and some Sunni and Kurdish political forces.
The leader of the coalition, Abu Mithaq al-Masari, said, "The meeting that took place at al-Maliki's house two days ago was important, and this meeting established a semi-large political alliance between all the gathered political forces."
Al-Masari indicated that "there are other political forces, which will have a presence in the coming days within this great political alliance, and this alliance through which the formation of the new Iraqi government will emerge, in addition to choosing the person of the prime minister, after the political forces agree on the specifications and person of the next prime minister." Ended 29/ 87

  • Thanks 5
Link to comment
Share on other sites

In the absence of al-Maliki, the Coordination Framework to convene with the Sadrist movement

1635412488445.jpg

Iraq NewsSadrist movement

 2021-10-28 05:22

A-AA+

Shafaq News/ A delegation from the Coordination Framework will convene with the Sadrist movement's negotiation committee to discuss prospects for the upcoming federal cabinet.

A source inside Ammar al-Hakim, the leader of al-Hekma movement, revealed that the meeting will be held next week in the absence of the State of Law Coalition. 

"The head of the State of Law Coalition, Nouri al-Maliki, or whoever represents him will not be a part of the delegation because the Sadrists refuse to discuss the current situation or the government formation with al-Maliki, or who represents him," the source elaborated.

The Coordination Framework, an umbrella body set up in the aftermath of the anti-establishment protests that emerged in Oct. 2019, brings together key Shiite political blocs. Key members include former premiers Nouri Al-Maliki (2006-14) and Haidar Al-Abadi (2014-18), in addition to al-Fatah Alliance leader Hadi al-Ameri, al-Hekma Movement chief Ammar al-Hakim, and al-Hashd al-Shaabi (Popular Mobilization Forces-PMF) chairman Falih Al-Fayyadh. Of note, Muqtada al-Sadr left the Coordination Framework in July this year.

The Sadrist movement has assigned four members to a negotiating committee that will form the Iraqi government following its anticipated victory in the early parliamentary elections.

Al-Sadr has granted the committee chaired by Hussein al-Athari "full power" in matters related to political and parliamentary alliances.

The Sadrists are the main force in the cabinet's lineup that is expected to be assembled after the Supreme Federal Court ratifies the final results of the polls. Al-Sadr has already laid the foundations for the policies the government will pursue.

 

https://shafaq.com/en/Iraq-News/In-the-absence-of-al-Maliki-the-Coordination-Framework-to-convene-with-the-Sadrist-movement

  • Thanks 4
  • Upvote 3
  • Pow! 3
Link to comment
Share on other sites

The Sadrist movement reveals a trend regarding the dollar exchange rate

October 28, 2021

 

Today, Thursday, the Sadrist movement, led by Muqtada al-Sadr, affirmed its quest during the next stage  :excl: to change the exchange rate of the dollar against the Iraqi dinar.


The leader in the movement, Riyadh Al-Masoudi, said, in a statement that followed (Al-Oula News), that "the Sadrist movement will work through the Sadrist Parliamentary bloc as well as the new Iraqi government to change the exchange rate of the dollar against the Iraqi dinar, as raising the exchange rate has a great impact on citizens, especially those with limited incomes. The fact that this rise affected the rise in the prices of foodstuffs and others in the Iraqi markets.”


And he indicated that "the rise in oil prices in the global market will be enough to provide financial abundance, instead of resorting to raising the exchange rate of the dollar, this is the economic solution, which Mustafa Al-Kazemi's government worked on," adding: "We will work to find other solutions other than him in a way that does not harm." The Iraqi people, we are with the people in their aspirations and we will do everything that is in the interest of the people economically.”

 

 

  • Thanks 2
  • Pow! 5
Link to comment
Share on other sites

 
 2021-10-29 07:04
 

Shafaq News/ The preacher of the Kufa mosque, Muhannad al-Musawi, said on Friday that the goal of appointing a prime minister from the Sadrist movement to the next federal government is to achieve the reform project adopted by the movement's leader Muqtada al-Sadr.

Al-Moussawi said in the Friday prayer sermon, whose ceremonies were held at the Kufa Mosque, that "today we are called more than before to translate the real and systematic affiliation to deliver a practical message to all in which reassurance, love and tolerance for the advancement of reality and the country."

He added, "We are officially adopting the reform project that Al-Sadr worked on, and the Sadrist prime ministership, to translate to others the value of the approach to which we belong, with its values, ideals, and a real project for reform."

  • Thanks 2
  • Upvote 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Al-Maliki's coalition: The next government is 'consensual' with an agreement between the 'framework' and the Sadrist bloc
 

people - Baghdad  

A member of the State of Law coalition, Kata' al-Rikabi, suggested the formation of a "consensual" government in view of the existing reality based on the election results.  

  

 

  

Al-Rikabi said in a statement to the "Rudaw" network, followed by "Nas" (October 29, 2021), that "it is not possible to choose a prime minister to form the new government without the agreement of the coordination framework and the Sadrist bloc," noting that "the current reality requires that there be consensus government.  

Al-Rikabi added, "The negotiations and meetings so far have not reached the stage of forming a government or choosing a prime minister," explaining that "the ongoing meetings are preliminary to upcoming meetings that will take place after the announcement of the final election results."  

Al-Rikabi stated, "All the agreements that are presented between the one component or with the components among them are not counted, as these meetings have never risen to the level of negotiations, and everyone is waiting for the results and what they will lead in the end."  

Al-Rikabi continued by saying, "If there is an interest and everyone speaks in the interest of Iraq, things must end to an agreement, without forcing a certain party to another, and there must be an agreement on the level of the Kurds, Shiites and Sunnis. If they make the interest of Iraq and Iraqis the highest standard, then there must be An agreement no matter what and how long it takes."  

 
 
  • Thanks 2
  • Upvote 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

The preacher of Kufa anticipates political surprises and talks about the next prime minister

2910202111281635505476858.jpg
 

PM:02:28:29/10/2021

2384 views

 
 
The preacher of the Kufa mosque, Muhannad Al-Moussawi, confirmed, on Friday, that the goal of appointing a prime minister from the Sadrist movement to the next federal government is to achieve the reform project adopted by the movement’s leader, Muqtada al-Sadr.
Al-Moussawi said in the Friday prayer sermon, whose ceremony was held at the Kufa Mosque and followed by NRT Arabic, (October 29, 2021), "Today we are called more than ever to translate the real and systematic affiliation to deliver a practical message to everyone in which reassurance, love and tolerance for the advancement of reality and the country."
He added, "We are officially adopting the reform project that al-Sadr worked on, and the Sadrist prime ministership, in order to translate to others the value of the approach to which we belong, with its values, ideals, and a real project for reform."
  • Thanks 2
Link to comment
Share on other sites

State of Law: The new government will be formed in agreement between the coordination framework and the Sadrist bloc

29102021125291020211033114282.jpg
 

PM:12:19:29/10/2021

3776 views

 
 
A member of the State of Law coalition, Kata' al-Rikabi, said that the new government will be formed by consensus, in line with the current situation, which does not allow other options.
 
Al-Rikabi said in a statement to Kurdish media, followed by NRT (October 29, 2021), that "it is not possible to choose a prime minister to form the new government without the coordination framework agreement and the Sadrist bloc," noting that "the current reality requires that there be a consensual government." .  
 
Al-Rikabi added, "The negotiations and meetings so far have not reached the stage of forming a government or choosing a prime minister," explaining that "the ongoing meetings are preliminary to upcoming meetings that will take place after the announcement of the final election results."  
 
And Al-Rikabi, that "everything that is presented of agreements between one component or with the components among them, is not counted, as these meetings never rose to the level of negotiations, and everyone is waiting for the results and what they will lead in the end."  
 
Al-Rikabi continued by saying, "If there is an interest and everyone speaks in the interest of Iraq, things must end to an agreement, without forcing a certain party to another, and there must be an agreement on the level of the Kurds, Shiites and Sunnis. If they make the interest of Iraq and Iraqis the highest standard, then there must be An agreement no matter what and how long it takes."
  • Thanks 2
Link to comment
Share on other sites

ORDER FROM CHAOS

Muqtada al-Sadr’s problematic victory and the future of Iraq

 

 

Ranj AlaaldinThursday, October 28, 2021

ORDER FROM CHAOS

Iraq’s parliamentary elections rarely produce surprises. But the elections that were held this month constituted a potential make-or-break moment amidst widespread social unrest, systemic violence against civilians, and an existential economic crisis.

Ranj Alaaldin

Nonresident Fellow - Foreign Policy, Center for Middle East Policy

@RanjAlaaldin

Muqtada al-Sadr’s victory is an example of strategic acumen within a movement that continues its transition from insurgency to government, propelled by a yearning for respite and leadership, and by rampant destitution within Iraqi society. Almost 32% of Iraq’s population could soon be impoverished. But it is precisely this despair that has resulted in the emergence of a protest movement that considers Sadr and his militia to be part of the problem, and complicit in the bloodshed that has engulfed the country, including violence against protesters. In its electoral debut, the bloc representing the protesters, Imtidad, secured 10 seats out of 329, a remarkable feat for a movement that is subjected to systemic assassinations and contested the elections amid unprecedented voter apathy.

There will consequently be tricky waters for President Joe Biden’s administration to navigate. Now is the moment for the administration to double down on its diplomatic efforts to develop and exercise a political strategy for a shifting political landscape, one that requires managing two prevailing contradictions that represent Iraq’s reality for decades to come: the superiority of militias in Baghdad and a protest movement that yearns for democratic rights and good governance.

IMPLICATIONS FOR IRAN

Some observers will see these elections as an opportune moment to combat Iran’s influence. Iran’s proxies within the Popular Mobilization Force (PMF) — the umbrella militia organization established to fight the self-proclaimed Islamic State — saw their seats reduced to 17, down from the 57 they won in 2018. The organization’s defeat contrasts with the success of their foremost rivals, the Sadrists, who won 74 seats (an increase from the 54 they won in 2018). But Sadr should not be complacent. While Sadr will reign politically supreme for the foreseeable future, he still has political rivals that the PMF and its allies, with Iran’s support, can exploit to manage the fallout from their loss.

These rivals include Nouri al-Maliki, Iraq’s former prime minister and leader of the Islamic Dawa Party who was responsible for the collapse of the army in 2014 when ISIS took control of Mosul. He has long been at odds with Muqtada and his State of Law coalition won 34 seats in the elections. Hence, even with Sadr’s impressive victory, the current state of play can hardly be described as insurmountable for the PMF and Iran. Iran and its proxies can find ways to cope.

But Iraq is entering a new phase in its political history that the PMF and its Iranian sponsors are ill-equipped to manage, one in which coercive power may not be sufficient. Together with Iran, the PMF is learning the hard way that power through the barrel of a gun is not sustainable. Its brutality has alienated supporters and large segments of the society that once thought of them as battle-field heroes in the campaign against ISIS.

While the Sadrist movement is also complicit in human rights abuses, the movement can draw on its decades of support to the destitute and disenfranchised, a legacy that preceded their transition to an insurgency in the aftermath of the 2003 invasion and established the infrastructure that has been so critical to their ascension. The PMF’s key factions, on the other hand, have yet to make that transition from militias that emerged from the ruins of the invasion to credible social movements or political actors that can provide at least some sections of the society with a stake in the future of their country.

THE PMF’S VULNERABILITIES HAVE BEEN EXPOSED

The PMF is vulnerable. After its Iran-aligned militias turned their guns on Iraqi civilians, factions within the organization that were not aligned with Iran — namely, the groups aligned with Grand Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani — withdrew last year and now constitute direct rivals. The PMF must also manage the emergence of a protest movement that is becoming a political force committed to shifting the tide of public opinion against the PMF and Iran.

The PMF is contesting the electoral results. Militia heads have issued threats against the officials that oversaw the elections. The factions that comprise the PMF collectively secured more votes than the Sadrists, but they lacked a viable strategy and consequently struggled to secure as many seats. These are desperate times for the PMF: it does not constitute a cohesive political force or social movement, and has been in a state of tumult. Its leading factions are widely disdained because of their atrocities and their defeat in this election is symbolically catastrophic and could set the tone for their future political contestations.

If the PMF views its challenges as existential, the immediate future is dangerous. In practice, that means losing access to the $2.6 billion budget allocated to it as a state-sanctioned auxiliary force, a designation that is detached from reality since the PMF operates outside of the state, and has threatened and attacked the military, U.S. personnel, and Kurdistan.

A reduced budget could be a red line, since it effectively means losing patronage networks and a diminished capacity to mobilize fighters. It imposes extra pressure on Iran’s finances and ability to maintain its militia network in Iraq. Tehran has struggled to prop up this network since the Trump administration’s maximum pressure campaign and the onset of the pandemic.

NAVIGATING TRICKY WATERS

This is an opportune moment. The reverberations of the PMF’s defeat will intensify the organization’s internal disarray and makes it highly unlikely that the organization will ever reclaim popular support. Since the PMF first emerged in 2014, U.S. policymakers have formulated policies around the idea that the PMF enjoys substantial grassroots support and social legitimacy. U.S. sanctions or airstrikes, for example, have been dismissed as viable policies or undertaken in limited fashion on the basis that such measures could embolden the PMF locally and swell its ranks. But such reasoning is no longer plausible.

The U.S. and its European allies must reconsider how they develop strategic relations with Iraq’s political actors. Beyond the PMF, there are others who fan the flames of ethnic and sectarian tensions. The National State Forces Alliance led by Haidar al-Abadi of the Islamic Dawa Party and Ammar al-Hakim of the Hikma Movement, managed only five seats. Abadi’s political irrelevance notwithstanding, al-Hakim still commands a strong support base and has been a voice of moderation in a toxic environment of demagogues and militants. Abadi, on the other hand, far from attempting to calm tensions, attempted to deflect focus away from his poor performance by celebrating his infamous decision to attack the Peshmerga in the wake of the Kurdish independence referendum in 2017 when he was prime minister, which, ironically, was undertaken to improve his prospects of winning the 2018 elections. He came third.

It is here that Washington can put the pieces of a strategy together, focused in equal measure on the protest movement, moderate actors, and Western interests in Iraq. The U.S. should underpin its Iraq policy with the fact that its allies now command a significant chunk of the political landscape, with the Kurdistan Democratic Party securing 32 seats and the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan winning 17 seats (for a combined total of 49 seats). The Taqadum party led by parliament speaker Mohammed al-Halbousi won 37 seats. A coalition of moderates — comprised of Kurdistan, Halbousi, al-Hakim and a selection of independents whose interests and values are aligned with those of the West — is the best hope of transforming the PMF’s decline into an opportunity.

The U.S. must work out what it wants. The political elimination of the PMF is not possible, but containing it is, and there will be no better moment for Biden to signal steadfast U.S. commitment and support by convening the coalition of Iraqi moderates. Such support could improve the Iraqis’ ability to work with each other, and enhance their negotiating position to contain the PMF’s attempts to re-assert itself. At the least, Secretary of State Antony Blinken should undertake a visit to Iraq at the earliest opportunity. Iraq’s political transition may take many months, but the contours of the post-election environment are shaped early on.

Empowering a robust Western-aligned coalition will ease the West’s job of engaging the Sadrists, a bloodstained movement with a total disregard for basic human rights but that nevertheless represents Iraq’s reality for the foreseeable future. A strong coalition would improve U.S.-aligned Prime Minister Mustafa al-Kadhimi’s prospects of securing another term and imposes political costs on the PMF if it opts to coerce its rivals.

Critically, it could insulate the protesters from violence by providing them with political cover, without which the militias will have carte blanche. It could empower the protesters to make the crucial transition into a viable political force. Iraq’s political system might be impervious to major restructuring, but the protest movement can still engage with some of Iraq’s most established political actors as they navigate dangerous waters.

https://www.brookings.edu/blog/order-from-chaos/2021/10/28/muqtada-al-sadrs-problematic-victory-and-the-future-of-iraq/

  • Like 3
  • Thanks 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Join the conversation

You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.

Guest
Reply to this topic...

×   Pasted as rich text.   Paste as plain text instead

  Only 75 emoji are allowed.

×   Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead

×   Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor

×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.

Loading...
 Share

  • Recently Browsing   0 members

    • No registered users viewing this page.



  • Testing the Rocker Badge!

  • Live Exchange Rate

×
×
  • Create New...

Important Information

By using this site, you agree to our Terms of Use.