But al-Sadr once the leader of the formidable Mahdi Army, a powerful militia group that vehemently fought US forces during Iraqs occupation and was a major player in the post-invasion sectarian conflict has stood firm. They called his bluff and went ahead and used the law to replace Sadrs MPs with their own.. This would be a major step forward for Iraq, which is trying to revive its national identity and rejoin the Arab fold., If Al-Sadr succeeds in toppling the ethno-sectarian system, he says, it will be a historic milestone in the countrys recovery, but his failure could be disastrous on all fronts., In 2022, Iraq Expected to Struggle for Sovereignty Amid Tug of War. Senior analyst Nicholas Heras with the Newlines Institute in Washington tells VOA that Iraq is at a crossroads and its sovereignty is at stake. In either scenario, the opposite side will not only try to overthrow the government with legal and political tools but will escalate violently, warned Lahib Higel, an Iraq analyst at Crisis Group. Additionally, after losing control of territory in Iraq and Syria, the Islamic State has reverted to itsinsurgencyroots and refocused on orchestrating a hit-and-run campaign. U.S.-led sanctions have imposed unprecedented limits on Beijings access to advanced computing cShow morehips. Keep up with the world without stopping yours. 20,570 online interviews were conducted . Reuters Displaced people from the minority Yazidi sect, fleeing violence from forces. Updates from August 29, 2022: At least 30 people killed, hundreds hurt in demonstrations after Shia leader Muqtada al-Sadr announces . Turkish airstrikes continued in 2021,targeting the Iranian Kurdish Party for Free Life of Kurdistan (PJAK) andKurdistan Workers Party (PKK)members based innorthern Iraq, in some cases killing civilians. Christina Lu is a reporter at Foreign Policy. People are eating outside. In the last two decades, Iraq has been plagued by insurgencies, the Islamic State, political gridlock, Irans meddling and economic crises, among other things. Net lending was -6.8% of GDP and tax revenues represented only 2% of GDP (both 2016, latest data available). Despite al-Sadrs election win, Iraqi law requires a supermajority of two-thirds, to elect a president, which he did not have. Parliamentaryeffortsto pass adraft law against domestic violencehas stalledsince 2019. Baghdad, Iraq The threat of worsening violence looms over Baghdad again this week, underscoring the challenges faced by influential Shia leader Muqtada al-Sadr, the leader of parliaments biggest bloc, in his stated efforts to form a majority government following Octobers contested election. Supporters of cleric Muqtada al-Sadr. "That is going to be a challenge and that is the great existential question for Iraq as Iraq is in process of becoming a failed state divided along its various regions, dominated by various different identity communities., Observers say that Al-Kadhimi has been a moderating force for Iraq and has tried to draw Iraq back into the Arab fold through economic deals with Jordan and Egypt while mediating between regional rivals, Saudi Arabia and Iran. Fifteen human rights organizations have called on Yemens Houthi rebels to stop their yearslong blockade of Taizz, Yemen. Marsin Alshamary: The situation in Iraq right now involves Muqtada al-Sadrwho everyone remembers from the early 2000s as being the leader of the Shi'a opposition to the U.S. occupation. Four months after parliamentary elections Iraqi leaders are still struggling to form their leadership. How are other countries being impacted as a result? It would also have struck a huge blow to Irans political influence in Iraq, as Iran usually backs Shia groups that have come together with other Shia Muslims to form a majority. In 2022, 3.5 million people were in need of humanitarian assistance in Burkina Faso - by the end of the year this has skyrocketed to 4.9 million people. Join FPs Ravi Agrawal in conversation with Wang for a discussion about Chinas technological rise and whether U.S. actions can really stop it. Over the last decade, oil revenues have accounted for more than 99% of exports, 85% of the government's budget, and 42% of gross domestic product (GDP). Two Air France pilots were suspended after brawling in the cockpit after takeoff, airline officials said, while emphasizing that their mid-air dispute did not impact the flights safety. Sarhang Hamasaeed, Publication Type: On January 3, 2020, a US drone strike killed Lt. Gen. Qassem Soleimani, the commander of Irans Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps, at Baghdad airport. Over a year later on October 13, Iraqs parliament voted Abdul Latif Rashid as the new president, who in turn designated Coordination Framework nominee Mohammed Shia al-Sudani as prime minister. Jason, welcome. More than two months after a group of men brutally assaulted four women at a restaurant in Tangshan, China, authorities are charging 28 people and investigating 15 officials for corruption in relation to the incident. The election resulted in two broad coalitions that led to a state of gridlock over the forming of a government amid controversial litigation in the Federal Supreme Court, drone attacks on Prime Minister Mustafa al-Kadhimi's house, armed attacks on the offices and residence of various political actors, violence in Baghdads Green Zone and external pressure, particularly from Iran. The main winner, however, was the populous Shia cleric Muqtada al-Sadr. Independent militia activity would risk an uncalculated escalation between the United States and Iran. Grants & Fellowships In 2019, the UNs Committee on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities said that Iraq, plagued by decades of violence and war, including the battles against ISIS from 2014-2017, has one of the worlds largest populations of people with disabilities. FPs flagship evening newsletter guiding you through the most important world stories of the day. They have sufficient votes and seem to have established enough foundation for a government to finally form. Delivered Wednesday & Sunday. Prime minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani's government remains vulnerable to insecurity, civil unrest and challenges to its reform agenda from its parliamentary base, the Iran-backed Co-ordination Framework. Article 394 of Iraqs penal code makes itillegalto engage in extra-marital sex, a violation of the right to privacythatdisproportionatelyharmsLGBT peopleas well aswomen,as pregnancy can be deemed evidence of a violation. UNAMI released a report in August based on interviews with more than 200 detainees, over half of whom shared credible allegations of torture. Al-Sadr has shown that even if his supporters are not seated in parliament, he cannot be ignored by Iraqs politicians, and can gather protesters to put his point across. Ukraines counteroffensive. Updated May 24, 2023 A member loyal to the Islamic State waves an Islamic State flag in Raqqa on June 29, 2014. For decades, the U.S. foreign-policy establishment has made the assumption that India could serve as a partner as the United States jostles with China for power in the Indo-Pacific region. Irans support for the Coordination Framework also loomed large. Delivered Wednesday. Sadrs willingness to worsen Iraqs political turmoil, delay Iraqs government formation, and escalate protests furtherthreatening an all-out war with rival Shiite groupsshould surely serve as a warning that he is capable of catapulting the country into something even worse, Talabany wrote. By defending his Sunni and Kurd allies, al-Sadr is treading further down the road of alienating groups such as Fatah, which, until the recent elections, wielded undeniable levels of power in Iraqi politics. Our monthly What Worries the World survey explores what the public thinks are the most important social and political issues, drawing on more than ten years of data to place the latest scores in context. Copyright 2022 NPR. In what ways are they reassessing their relationships with the worlds largest economic superpowers? By Mary Clare Jalonick. Youre on the list! On March 1, 2021, Iraqs parliament passedtheLaw on Yazidi Female Survivors,whichrecognizedcrimes committed by ISIS including kidnapping, sexual enslavement, forced marriage,pregnancy,and abortion against women and girls from theYezidi, Turkman, Christian, and Shabaks minorities as genocide and crimes against humanity. (Required). Twenty years after the U.S. invasion of Iraq, the countrys path toward stability and democracy remains perilous. Is Tellis right? Thursday, August 4, 2022 / By: Sarhang Hamasaeed Publication Type: Analysis and Commentary Over the weekend, followers of the powerful Iraqi Shia cleric Moqtada al-Sadr stormed and occupied Iraq's parliament in protest over a rival bloc attempting to form a government. . Will he wait until a government is formed and then challenge it? Iran will increasingly conduct attacks via Iraqi proxies and from Iraqi territory into Saudi Arabia and other Gulf states. The default username below has been generated using the first name and last initial on your FP subscriber account. Iraq has been unable to form a government since it held parliamentary elections in October last year. Iraqis carry the coffin of one of populist leader Muqtada al-Sadr's supporters, who was killed at a protest in Baghdad, Iraq, August 30, 2022 [Wissam Al . This is the country that the current president is destroying.. Twenty years after the US-led invasion of Iraq, the country is now run by its eighth government, which took power in October 2022. MARTIN: That is NPR's Jason Beaubien in Baghdad. Send in your questions for an in-depth discussion with Tellis and FP Live host Ravi Agrawal ahead of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modis visit to the White House on June 22. Since then, most foreign troops have withdrawn from Iraq, except for a small U.S. presence. Ukraine is planning to fight back. BAGHDAD (Reuters) - Iraq's federal supreme court ruled on Tuesday that a one-year extension of the term of the semi-autonomous Kurdistan region parliament in 2022 was unconstitutional and . What exactly are these differences, and how will they impact the worlds relations with China? Overview of the security situation 7. Advertising After the 2021 vote, al-Sadr became frustrated and took steps like making his MPs resign in mass that proved to be a mistake according to Iraqis and experts. Iraq situation Young Iraqi children stand near their damaged home in their destroyed village of Nineveh after the camp they were living in was closed down in Hamam al-Alil. No ISIS defendants have been convicted of international crimes such as war crimes, crimes against humanity, or genocide, despite the apparent genocide by ISIS against the Yezidis. It was known for fighting fiercely against U.S. troops. Who is to blame,. As U.S.-China tension increases, so does discussion about whether European states are pulling their weight. MARTIN: So this wouldn't be the first time that Iraq's parliament has haggled for months over forming a government. JASON BEAUBIEN, BYLINE: Oh, thanks for having me, Michel. What exactly are these differences, and how will they impact the worlds relations with China? As expected, the government formation was a lengthy and rocky process, breaking Iraqs own protracted record. On October 1, demonstrations did occur, including some violence, but it did not go beyond mostly being a commemoration of the anniversary. Twitter:@christinafei. Published On 27 Jul 2022 27 Jul 2022 Turkey's consulate in Iraq's Mosul comes under attack Foreign ministry says no causalities in the attack, and condemns the incident . In February 2021, the government announced the arrest of members of a death squad that had allegedly been responsible for killing at least three activists in the southern city of Basra. Stephen J. Hadley, former national security advisor under President George W. Bush and former chair of USIPs Board of Directors, reflects on the invasion of Iraq two decades later. The Global Conflict Tracker is an interactive guide to ongoing conflicts around the world of concern to the United States with background information and resources. In response, China has accelerated its own efforts to develop its technological industry and reduce its dependence on external imports. The war that toppled him . Share this via Email Even today, the supreme court disqualified the leading candidate for the presidency, and that's just for a mainly ceremonial role. Delivered Wednesday. But there's still a lot of frustration, and it's not just over security, but about unemployment, rising food prices, crumbling infrastructure. Where is this new tech war headed? One member of the cabin crew reportedly had to accompany the pilots in the cockpit for the remainder of the flight. The report found that the authorities acquiesce in and tolerate the use of torture to extract confessions, a finding consistent with Human Rights Watch reporting on the systemic use of torture in Iraq. Regional forcesincluding as many as thirty thousandIranian troopsjoined the Iraqi army, local tribes, and theKurdish Peshmergain operations to begin retaking territory from the group, eventually recapturing Tikrit in April 2015, Ramadi in December 2015, Fallujah in June 2016, and Mosul in July 2017. Inside Iraq's Political Crisis An ominous escalation has catapulted the country even deeper into turmoil. Abdul Latif Rashid was elected president in October 2022, promising to return the country to normalcy. Despite ISISssystematicrape, sexual slavery, andforced marriage of Yezidi women and girls, prosecutors neglected to charge ISIS suspects with rapewhich carries a sentence of up to 15 yearseven in cases where defendants admitted to subjecting Yezidis to sexual slavery. Despite continuous fears of implosion, the political order and the elite in Iraq have proven resilient in the face of terrorism, civil war, threats of secession, and mass protests. While the charisma, resolve and other personal qualities of the prime minister are important, Iraqs history demonstrates that a mix of factors the will of the political class, parliament, government bureaucracy and external influence ultimately determines the success or failure of a prime minister and their government. The countrys federal court is expected to uphold the October parliamentary election results, praised by Iraqi and international observers, despite repeated efforts by defeated pro-Iranian Shiite parties who want them annulled. He was having lunch with his fiancee in downtown Baghdad. [Sadr] doesnt have any leverage right now, so what he is doing is appealing to the emotions of his followers who are the closest you can get to a personal cult, said Abbas Kadhim, director of the Atlantic Councils Iraq Initiative. Informed sources told Human Rights Watch that at least 19 executions had been carried out as of September. Supporters of cleric Muqtada al-Sadr cheer after entering Iraqs parliament in Baghdads high-security Green Zone on July 30. Osama Al Sharif, a Middle East political commentator in Amman, called these moves anathema to the pro-Iran proxies.. But he's moderated to some degree now, and he's seen as sort of the counterbalance to a lot of the political forces here that are aligned with Iran. Criminal trialsof defendants charged under Iraqs overbroad terrorism law, most often for alleged membership in the Islamic State (ISIS), weregenerally rushed and didnot involve victim participation. Based on the criminal age of responsibility in the penal code, authoritiescanprosecute child suspects as young as 9 on terrorism charges in Baghdad-controlled areas and 11 in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq. Analysts warn that a rift between Iraqs Shia groups would be unprecedented, and if either al-Sadr or the Coordination Framework were pushed aside, a backlash would be almost inevitable. Overview Context Strategy Results Iraq is one of the most oildependent countries in the world. Between the parliamentary election in October 2021 and October 2022, there was a political crisis in Iraq, with members of the Council of Representatives of Iraq being unable to form a stable coalition government, or elect a new President. The last year witnessed crippling political gridlock, as the winner of the 2021 national parliamentary elections, Moqtada al-Sadr, eventually withdrew from the political process after failing to form a government. 2021 . Since July, hundreds of Sadrs supporters have been camped out inside the parliament buildingto disrupt rivals political efforts. Human Rights Watch was unaware of any investigationsby the Turkish military intopossible unlawful attacks it had carried out innorthernIraq or compensation of victims. Gross capital formation reached 12.9% of GDP in 2018. Analysis and Commentary. Iraq updates: Deadly clashes erupt after Muqtada al-Sadr quits. It seems that once again, the international community has become frustrated with the protracted process and is now supporting government formation, even if that means the party who won the most seats is not included. Some pro-Iran militia groups had previously warned of intensified violence if Sunni and Kurd groups decided to join al-Sadrs camp. And right now, oil prices are up dramatically. We are oil country, but we don't have electricity. This raises the question again, as it did in 2010, if the international community, including the United States, is coming up short in supporting Iraqs democracy. Authorities continued toprevent thousands of children without civil documentation fromenrollingin state schools, includingstateschools inside camps for displaced people. More than nine months after Iraq held its October 2021 parliamentary elections, political leaders have been unable to form a government. One of the outcomes of those protests was early elections, which were held on October 10, 2021, but have yet to yield a government. Delivered Thursday. Chairwoman Sen. Debbie Stabenow, D-Mich., speaks . Analysts say the escalation tests the limits of al-Sadrs bid to create a government that would, to a certain extent, steer away from the ethno-sectarian power-sharing arrangement established after the United States-led invasion that overthrew Saddam Hussein in 2003. Iraq is the Prize: A Warning About Iraq's Future Stability, Center for Strategic and International Studies, Iraq Faces Growing Violence as Political Rift Deepens, By entering your email and clicking subscribe, you're agreeing to receive announcements from CFR about our products and services, as well as invitations to CFR events. Also, if he forms a majority government and still drives the country to chaos, he wouldnt have any excuse for the next election.. Join in-depth conversations and interact with foreign-policy experts with. Following the 2021 election, which saw increased representation for minority groups, the newly elected parliament could not form a coalition government, precipitating a political crisis. How are other countries being impacted as a result? Projects History of recent conflicts in Iraq 5. According to a Ministry of Justice statement in September, authorities were detaining close to 50,000 people for suspected terrorism links, over half of them sentenced to death. This largely backfired as al-Sadrs bloc was quickly replaced, allowing the Shiite groups backed by Iran to assume a majority in parliament. Join FPs Ravi Agrawal in conversation with Wang for a discussion about Chinas technological rise and whether U.S. actions can really stop it. And he says the danger right now is that you have this political stalemate that can inflame tensions in a country that's still got lots of heavily armed factions out there. At the center of this overheating conflict stands Iraqi political kingmaker Moqtada al-Sadr and a rival bloc of . There remains a larger concern that the aftermath of the conflict and challenges of reconstruction and reintegration will lead to the breakup of Iraq and thatsectarian tensionwill plague the region for years to come, possibly expanding into a proxy conflict among various international groups. Thisdeniedthemfreedom ofmovement,theirrightstoeducationand work,andaccess tosocialbenefits and birth and death certificates needed to inherit property or remarry. And this was one of the issues that led to widespread protests that brought down the government last year. Only FP subscribers can submit questions for FP Live interviews. Al-Sudani and the Coordination Framework certainly have an opportunity and responsibility to fulfill their promise of a government of service and beyond. Iraqis face enough challenges and their deep frustration with the political class and government could reignite public protests. BEAUBIEN: Yeah. The war in Ukraine has propelled the United States and Europe closer on a variety of foreign-policy issues. These could very well implode in one way or another, and that could lead to chaos. A delegation from the International Atomic Energy Agency is also set to touch down in the country this week to inspect the Russian-occupied Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant as the war stokes fears of a potential nuclear accident. Is Tellis right? Such discriminatory laws expose women to violence. The demonstrators, estimated to have been in the hundreds, oppose the nomination of a rival Iran-backed alliances candidate for prime minister. Press This violatesinternational standards,whichrecognize children recruited by armed groups primarily as victims who should be rehabilitated and reintegrated into society,andcall foraminimum age of criminal responsibilityof 14 years. The law provides for compensation for survivors, as well as measures for their rehabilitation and reintegration into society and the prevention of such crimes in the future. Weekly update on whats driving U.S. national security policy. Toggle My Interests SITUATION REPORTS Turkey, Iraq: Turkey Seeks Discussions on Second Kurdish Oil Lawsuit Before Resuming Flows Apr 12, 2023 | 18:17 GMT Iraq: $27 Billion Mega Energy Project to Move Forward Apr 5, 2023 | 15:04 GMT Iraq: Baghdad, KRG Reach Interim Agreement to Resume Oil Flows Apr 4, 2023 | 14:54 GMT Osama Al Sharif, writing in the Saudi Arab News daily, said election winner Muqtada Al-Sadr has praised Prime Minister Mustafa Al-Kadhimis efforts to keep Iraq neutral in the U.S.-Iran showdown., He said Al-Sadr may even keep Al-Kadhimi on as prime minister, even if this is anathema to his Shiite rivals. Essential analysis of the stories shaping geopolitics on the continent. Authoritiessystematicallyviolatedthe due process rights of suspects, such as guarantees under Iraqi law that detainees see a judge within 24 hours, have access to a lawyer throughout interrogations, andthattheir familiesarenotified andbe able to communicate with them. But, instead of the US bases or convoys that are often attacked, there were some less-usual targets. Overall growth in 2022 is now forecast at 8.9% as OPEC+ quotas end and Iraq's production surpasses its pre-pandemic level of 4.6 mbpd. Its unclear what caused their fight, which took place on the Paris-Geneva route in June. Explore the benefits included in your subscription. In the latest in a number of attacks to hit the Iraqi capital in just a matter of days, twin explosions late on Sunday targeted two banks associated with Kurdish politicians in central Baghdads Karrada district, leaving two people wounded. Since his strong election showing in October, al-Sadr has frequently reiterated his commitment to form a national majority government, essentially sidelining the Shia Coordination Framework that includes figures such as former Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki, one of Sadrs old foes, and the Fatah alliance, the political bloc that houses the pro-Iran Popular Mobilization Forces and which suffered a devastating loss in the elections. You know, and if they do, there is one thing going for Iraq right now, and it gets almost all of its money from oil. Commenting on this and other recent articles is just one benefit of a Foreign Policy subscription. It came two days after a hand grenade was thrown at the headquarters of the Taqaddum party, which is led by parliaments Speaker Mohammed Halbousi. Prominent Shia cleric Moqtada al-Sadrs movement secured the largest number of seats in peaceful elections. On August 10, a spokesman for Iraq's Health Ministry said the number of confirmed cholera infections . By: Should al-Sadr managed to form a majority government with his Sunni and Kurd allies, al-Malikis State of Law party and Fatah could be pushed into the opposition a dramatic blow to the status quo. While Bolsonaro accused his predecessor of corruption, Lula blamed the incumbent for ruining the country. Like the 2010 government formation process, time was not in favor of the winning bloc. These tensions now threaten the stability of the new Iraqi government as it looks to rebuild the country and prevent aresurgenceof the Islamic State. Sadr anticipated that his rivals would repair this situation by going to him, begging him to change his mind and bring his MPs back, Kadhim said. Consideration of issues Country information 3. The Coordination Framework considered to be Iran-backed which includes the State of Law alliance of former Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki, the Fatah Coalition and others, succeeded in blocking al-Sadr. Al-Sadr sought to form a majoritarian government and stated that he would not have the same outcome of the 2010 elections, where Al-Iraqiya List/Coalition led by former Prime Minister Iyad Allawi had the highest number of seats yet was denied the opportunity to form the government. However, the government closed 16 camps between October 2020 and January 2021, leaving at least 34,801 displaced people without assurances that they could return home safely, get other safe shelter, or have access to affordable services. BEAUBIEN: But they have pulled it together in the past. In March Iraqs parliament passedtheLaw on Yazidi Female Survivors,whichrecognizedcrimes committed by ISIS against women and girls from theYezidi, Turkman, Christian, and Shabaks minorities as genocide and crimes against humanity, but little progress has been made towards applying the law. UNHCR/Rasheed Hussein Rasheed Amid the political crisis, the entirety of al-Sadrs political bloc resigned from parliament in a gamble aimed at pressuring the government to elect a president. I mean, security still remains a major problem in Iraq. In Braslia, leaders weighed how to make continental cooperation more durable after a past attempt sputtered. As a result of the June attack, two of the women were hospitalized for more than 11 days. Share this via Printer. During proteststhatbegan in October 2019andcontinued intolate2020,clasheswith security forces,including thePopular Mobilization Forces (PMF orhashad)nominallyunder the control of the prime minister,leftat least560 protestersand security forcesdeadin Baghdad and Iraqs southern cities. There have been no arrests or charges following a failed assassination attempt on Al-Kadhimi in November. In a widely read Foreign Affairs essay, Tellis makes the case that the White House should recalibrate its expectations of India. The incident on Wednesday, and al-Sadrs subsequent show of control over his followers, carried an implicit warning to the Coordination Framework of potential escalation to come if a government forms with al-Sudani at the helm. Since the U.S.-led invasion in 2003, Iraq has undergone a long period of instability, allowing actors like the Islamic State to fill the power vacuum. Meanwhile, there are other pressing issues to attend to, like electricity shortages, ISIS attacks and corruption. Security forces also physically, verbally and sexually harassed people they perceived as LGBT at checkpoints. People with disabilities are often effectively denied their right to vote due to discriminatory legislation that strips the right to vote or run for office for people considered not fully competent under the law, inaccessible polling places, and legislative and political obstacles, like requirements for a certain level of education that many people with disabilities are unable to attain. Twenty years ago this month, the rule of Iraqi dictator Saddam Hussein collapsed, ushering in a new era for Iraq, the Middle East, and the world. The country I left is a country that people miss. And now a check-in on life and politics in Iraq. If a national majority government had succeeded, it would have been an unprecedented deviation from Iraqs. Share this via LinkedIn According to Dan Wang, a technology expert and visiting scholar at Yale Law Schools Paul Tsai China Center, Chinas tech competitiveness is grounded in manufacturing capabilities. Although Sadr was the elections biggest victor, he was unable to negotiate anew government after excluding rival Shiite leaders. Conflict Analysis & Prevention; Violent Extremism, 2301 Constitution Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20037Tel: +1.202.457.1700, About For an update, we're joined from Baghdad by NPR's Jason Beaubien. Welcome to todays Morning Brief, where were following Iraqs escalating political crisis, Ukraines counteroffensive, and the latest developments in Brazils presidential race. As Brazils presidential elections loom, the two front-runnersPresident Jair Bolsonaro and former President Luiz Incio Lula da Silva, who currently holds the lead in pollingtraded barbs in a heated television debate. Iran, the United States and Gulf Arab states are increasingly engaged in a struggle over the future of Iraq, analysts say. Goran Tomasevic/Reuters President George W. Bush announces that U.S. forces have begun a military operation into Iraq. Iraqis demonstrate in Tahrir Square in central Baghdad against corruption and lack of services on September 7, 2018. After nearly eight months of the Iraqi parliaments repeated failure to form a government, al-Sadr withdrew his parliamentary bloc, ordering the 74 Sadrist Movement legislators. Last night, Baghdad saw its worst violence in years. Latest News In the last 15 minutes Jordan's re-approval of Baath party sparks outrage in Iraq The New Arab 14:04 In the last half-hour Expert Criticizes Alterations in Iraq's Budget Bill, Warns Against Violating Kurdistan's Entitlements Shafaq News 13:56 In the last 2 hours As Iraq remained locked in a stalemate in June, Sadr ordered the resignations of the 73 members of parliament loyal to him. Elections were held early in response to mass protests against the government in 2019, but there are concerns about powerful armed groups, many linked to Iran, that still hold sway. Amid a year of political turmoil and three years after the protests erupted, Iraqis grievances remain largely unaddressed. Is Europe Serious About Self-Defense, or Free-Riding? According to media reports, ISIL claimed 120 attacks in Iraq during the first quarter of 2022. Iraq's parliament is divided. On October 10, Iraqis voted for a new parliament with a voter turnout of 36 percent. Publications The government also faces ongoing tensions with Kurdish groups pressing for greater autonomy in the north following a failed independencereferendumin October 2017. Main roads into the city have been blocked since 2015, aid groups said, a closure that has had profound humanitarian implications. Recent developments show that key Shia, Sunni and Kurdish parties will share important ministries and positions of the government, which contravenes what the 2019 protest movement sought to end or at least minimize. Would you explain what's going on? Many residents were female-headed households displaced by fighting between ISIS and the Iraqi military from 2014 to 2017, and many of these families were being labeled ISIS-affiliated. By defending his Sunni and Kurdish allies, al-Sadr went further down the road of alienating groups like Fatah. Another journalist was sentenced to one year for misuse of his cell phone and defamation charges in June and September. In brief. In a brazen attack on November 7, unnamed armed actors tried but failed to assassinate the prime minister in his home using three armed drones. Many defendants were detained because their names appeared on wanted lists of questionable accuracy or because they were family members of listed suspects. Heres a look at what happened, and why Iraq is facing a potential season of political chaos. [5] Join the conversation on this and other recent Foreign Policy articles when you subscribe now. The group is part of 500 households Iraq plans to repatriate from al-Hol this year. BEAUBIEN: It's different for a couple of reasons. Last week, Iraqs parliament elected Abdul Latif Rashid as president, and he then named Mohammed Shia al-Sudani as prime minister-designate. His party got the largest bloc of votes of anyone. So if and when a government does get formed, there could be cash to tackle some of these big problems that are facing the country. Displaced people from the minority Yazidi sect, fleeing violence from forces loyal to the Islamic State in Sinjar town, walk towards the Syrian border on August 11, 2014. The government has failed to hold accountable members of armed groups who have abducted, raped, tortured, and killed LGBT Iraqis with impunity. However, since then, al-Sudani has grown on political actors, the international community and, to some extent, the Iraqi public as they learn more about him. As of late September, it appeared that none of the arrests had led to any charges being brought. Sadrs ultimate goal is to stir the nation and hijack popular sentiment to become the most powerful man in Iraq, as analyst Shayan Talabany argued in Foreign Policythis month. The protest movements demands largely remain the same, but movement has been weakened by exasperation with the lack of change, the killing of protest leaders and division among some leaders. NPR transcripts are created on a rush deadline by an NPR contractor. While the country has fortunately managed to hold together in that time, there is still a long way to go toward security and stability in Iraq. But the situation is improving in the capital. Connect However, this idea is rejected by the Coordination Framework and every major party besides Sadrs.. Meanwhile Iraqis endure shortages and frustration. The authoritative record of NPRs programming is the audio record. Download the new FP mobile app to read anytime, anywhere. Unrest over the conviction of opposition leader Ousmane Sonko tests a country long seen as a regional pillar of stability. Output strength. As Iraq's economy is heavily reliant on oil export earnings, real GDP performance will closely track oil market movements . The Coordination Framework nominated al-Sudani in July, when tensions were particularly high with the Sadrists. By ordering his blocs resignation, al-Sadr opened up the path for the Coordination Framework to form a government, as they filled many of those seats. Or will he move on and focus on the next elections? No ISIS defendants have been convicted of international crimes such as war crimes, crimes against humanity, or genocide. The election resulted in two broad coalitions that led to a state of gridlock over the forming of a government amid controversial litigation in the Federal Supreme Court, drone attacks on Prime Minister Mustafa al-Kadhimi's house, armed attacks on the offices and residence of various political actors, violence in Baghdad's "Green Zone" and exter. Join FPs Ravi Agrawal for a discussion with experts on both sides of the Atlantic: Cindy Yu, an assistant editor of the Spectator and host of its podcast Chinese Whispers; and James Palmer, author of FPs weekly China Brief newsletter. Outlook The turnaround in oil markets has significantly improved Iraq's economic outlook in the medium term. One-stop digest of politics, economics, and culture. They only. The troops remain in Iraq on an invitation from the Iraqi government, as the United States seeks to help Iraq combat terrorism within its borders. Key Takeaways: Parliament Swears In 64 New MPs; Coordination Framework Divided Over Government Formation; Kadhimi Visits Saudi Arabia And Iran - On June 23, Iraq's Parliament convened an. Share this via Twitter Over one million people remain internallydisplaced,and 6.5 million people need humanitarian assistance following the nearly four-year-long war. And on January 13, a rocket attack targeting the US embassy in the highly fortified Green Zone wounded several civilians, including a child and a woman. At least 30,000 Iraqis who fled Iraq between 2014 and 2017, including some who followed ISIS as it retreated from Iraqi territory,wereheldin and around al-Hol camp in northeast Syria. Iraqscriminal justice systemwas still marred by thewidespread use of torture, including in order to extract confessions. Iraq hit two anniversaries this month. Share this via Reddit The assassination attempt of Prime Minister Khadhimi in November 2021 led to armed clashes between the Iraqi government and Iran-backed militias accused of orchestrating the attack. World Brief: Analysts say such a rift between Iraqs Shia groups would be unprecedented, and if either al-Sadr or the Shia Coordination Framework were to be pushed aside, a backlash would be almost inevitable. What are they telling you? [1/3] Supporters of Iraqi populist leader Moqtada al-Sadr gather for a sit-in at the parliament building, amid political crisis in Baghdad, Iraq August 2, 2022.REUTERS/Khalid Al-Mousily After a strong showing, al-Sadr repeated his commitment to form a national majority government representing different sects and ethnicities, such as Sunni Muslims and Kurds, but essentially sidelining the Shia Coordination Framework, which includes an old foe, former Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki. BShow moreut Ashley J. Tellis, a longtime watcher of U.S.-India relations, says that Washingtons expectations of New Delhi are misplaced. Iraq failed to secure political rights, in particular the right to vote, for Iraqis with disabilities. MARTIN: You know, it's been four months since the elections, but there's still no agreement on a prime minister or a cabinet. From battling insurgents to securing provincial elections, USIP military fellow Colonel Jim Modlin saw firsthand how the war in Iraq evolved over the course of his four deployments to the country. Growth in the outer years is projected to remain modest at 3.7% on average as oil production moderates. There has been no claim of responsibility for any of these attacks, which came days after the newly elected parliaments first session on January 9, during which chaos reigned and physical altercations broke out. In 2017,theUN Security Councilcreated an investigative team, UNITAD, to document serious crimes committed by ISIS in Iraq. Some foreign diplomats have met with him already, even before the vote of confidence, a sign that the international community is keen on the government formation moving forward. FILE - Protesters gather outside the Green Zone government areas in Baghdad, Dec. 3, 2021. demonstrating against the final results of Iraq's parliamentary elections. Those imprisoned for ISIS affiliation reportedly include hundreds of foreign women and children , though children are not sentenced to death. Christina Lu Click + to receive email alerts for new stories written by Your guide to the most important world stories of the day. Former President Barack Obamaauthorizedtargeted air strikes against Islamic State militants in Iraq and Syria, and the United States formed aninternational coalitionof nearly eighty countriesto counter the Islamic State. Human Rights Watch defends the rights of people in close to 100 countries worldwide, spotlighting abuses and bringing perpetrators to justice, Human Rights Watch is a 501(C)(3)nonprofit registered in the US under EIN: 13-2875808, Accountability for Abuses against Critics, Torture, Fair Trial Violations, and the Death Penalty, Womens Rights, Gender Identity, Sexual Orientation, Morality Laws. This is $20 billion more than its previous annual record of $94 billion in 2012. Meanwhile, as 2021 drew to a close, U.S.-led coalition forces ended their combat mission in Iraq this month, transferring some 2,500 troops combatting Islamic State into a training and advising role. In May 2020, when Prime Minister Mustafa al-Kadhimi took office,heformeda committeeto investigate the killings of protesters. 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