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DARK SECRETS: 2 | Rare Historical Photos

Who are the rival Shiite politicians vying to fill Iraq’s political vacuum?

Ten months after the October 2021 parliamentary elections, Iraq is still mired in a political impasse that turned deadly Monday after Moqtada al-Sadr announced his resignation from politics. Supporters of the powerful cleric clashed with followers of rival Shiite parties, plunging Iraq into a crisis that could draw in regional…

France 24

Baghdad: At least 30 killed in clashes between Iraqi security forces and supporters of powerful Shia cleric

Iraqi leader Muqtada al-Sadr is going on a hunger strike until ‘violence and the use of weapons’ ends, according to allies

Evening Standard

Kuwait, UAE Advise Against Travel to Iraq

Kuwait has urged its citizens in neighboring Iraq to leave the country. The state-run KUNA news agency also encouraged those hoping to travel to Iraq to delay their plans over the eruption of violent street clashes between rival Shiite groups in the country. The Gulf sheikhdom of Kuwait shares a…

Asharq Al-Awsat

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Iran Guards, Lebanese Hezbollah, Sadr Rivals Discussed Confronting him with Arms

Four leaders of Iraqi Shiite factions met with two members of Iran’s Revolutionary Guards (IRGC) and Lebanon’s Iran-backed Hezbollah party at a house in Baghdad in mid-August. Just outside, in the heavily fortified Green Zone, supporters of influential Shiite cleric Moqtada al-Sadr were collecting thousands of signatures for a “legal…

Asharq Al-Awsat

Powerful Iraqi Shi'ite Muslim cleric al-sadr announces hunger strike - state media

Powerful Iraqi Shi'ite Muslim cleric Moqtada al-Sadr is said to have announced a hunger strike until the violence and use of weapons stops, Iraq's state news agency INA and state TV reported late on Monday.

Reuters

White House calls for 'dialogue' after 'disturbing' unrest in Iraq

The White House said on Monday that unrest in Iraq after powerful Shi'ite Muslim cleric Moqtada al-Sadr quit politics was "disturbing" and called for "dialogue" to ease the country's political problems.

Reuters

Deadly clashes in Baghdad after Sadr announces plans to resign

At least 12 protesters were killed Monday after supporters of cleric Moqtada Sadr stormed the government palace in Baghdad's Green Zone as the powerful Shiite leader said he was quitting politics.

France 24

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Iraq's Sadr: from outlaw to top politician

Populist Iraqi Shi'ite cleric Moqtada al-Sadr, once a mercurial outlaw wanted dead or alive during the U.S. occupation, rose to become a political kingmaker and Iraq's most powerful figure.

Reuters

Heavy Gunfire Rocks Iraq’s Green Zone amid Violent Protests

Supporters of an influential Iraqi Shiite cleric fired rocket-propelled grenades and machine guns into Iraq's Green Zone and security forces returned fire Tuesday, a serious escalation of a monthslong political crisis gripping the nation. The death toll rose to at least 30 people after two days of unrest, officials said.…

Asharq Al-Awsat

Iraqis Await Federal Court’s Decision on Dissolution of Parliament

Iraqis are awaiting the decision of the Federal Supreme Court over the dissolution of parliament after leader of the Sadrist movement, Shiite cleric Moqtada al-Sadr, had given it 72 hours to make a ruling. The deadline ends on Monday. The court had, however, set Tuesday as a date for looking…

Asharq Al-Awsat

Sadrist Movement Calls for Establishment of New Iraq without Militias, Sectarianism

A spokesman for the Sadrist movement called on Sunday for the establishment of a new Iraq, devoid of militias, illegal possession of weapons, violence, fighting, sectarianism and warring parties. “No to sectarian quotas,” said Saleh Mohammed al-Iraqi, a close associate to Sadrist leader Shiite cleric Moqtada al-Sadr.

Asharq Al-Awsat

Iraq’s Sadrists Refile Call for Judiciary to Suspend Parliament

Populist Shiite cleric Moqtada al-Sadr's camp on Friday refiled a petition for Iraq's judiciary to suspend parliament to clear the way for fresh elections amid a months-long political deadlock. A source within the judiciary said it would give its response on Tuesday to the second such motion within a month…

Asharq Al-Awsat

Explosive Detonates in Baghdad, Targets Australian Diplomats

A small homemade explosive detonated on Friday near Baghdad's Green Zone as an Australian diplomatic convoy made its way into the area, two security officials told The Associated Press. No injuries were reported. The blast happened amid Australia's diplomatic mission's efforts to mediate between influential Shiite cleric Moqtada al-Sadr and…

Asharq Al-Awsat

Iraq Crisis Heads Towards Unknown after Sadr Protesters Briefly Paralyze Judiciary

Supporters of Iraqi cleric Moqtada al-Sadr staged a sit-in on Tuesday in front of the headquarters of the Supreme Judicial Council in Baghdad, in the latest chapter in the political crisis that has crippled the country for months. The protesters are demanding the dissolution of parliament, holding corrupt figures to…

Asharq Al-Awsat

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Reuters

Iraqi judiciary to resume work amid political crisis fuelled by cleric Sadr

Iraq's judiciary will resume its activities on Wednesday after powerful Shi'ite cleric Moqtada al-Sadr called on his supporters to withdraw from outside its headquarters, the state news agency INA reported.

Asharq Al-Awsat

As Iraqi Protesters Rally, Political Deadlock Leaves Families without Cash

Sabreen Khalil lost her husband to COVID last year, leaving her to raise seven children alone, but Iraqi government funding to help her and hundreds of thousands of families in poverty is blocked by political stalemate. With politicians deadlocked over forming a new government since an election in October, rival…

France 24

Who are the Shiite politicians vying to rule Iraq amid its political impasse?

Majority-Shiite Iraq has been paralysed by political gridlock for nearly a year. Tensions are mounting between two powerful Shiite factions: one loyal to nationalist cleric Moqtada al-Sadr, on the one hand, and an alliance of pro-Iran interests led by former Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki on the other. FRANCE 24 looks…

Asharq Al-Awsat

Iraqi Judiciary Says it Has No Powers to Dissolve Parliament

Iraq’s top judicial body said Sunday it doesn't have the authority to dissolve the country’s parliament, days after influential Shiite cleric Moqtada al-Sadr gave it one week to dismiss the legislature so that new elections can be held. The decision by the Supreme Judicial Council is likely to increase tensions…

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Asharq Al-Awsat

Despite Public Anger, No Progress in Iraq Political Deadlock

Weeks after followers of influential cleric Moqtada al-Sadr stormed parliament, Iraq’s political crisis shows no signs of abating, despite rising public anger over a debilitating gridlock that has further weakened the country's caretaker government and its ability to provide basic services. Iraq's two rival Shiite political camps remain locked in…

Asharq Al-Awsat

Sadr Calls on Iraq Judiciary to Dissolve Parliament within a Week

Influential Iraqi cleric Moqtada al-Sadr, whose supporters earlier this month stormed the parliament in Baghdad and have since held a sit-in outside the building, stepped up his demands Wednesday and issued a veiled threat of renewed violence. Sadr said on Twitter that the judiciary has one week to dissolve the…

Asharq Al-Awsat

Baghdad Weighs Possibility of Forming Interim Govt Headed by Kadhimi

The Iran-backed Coordination Framework in Iraq is mulling a proposal by Sadrist movement leader, cleric Moqtada al-Sadr, to form an interim government as a solution to the country’s months-long political deadlock. One figure from the group, however, stood out to oppose the proposal, Sadr’s longtime rival, former Prime Minister and…

Asharq Al-Awsat

Power Crisis Adds to Iraq’s Political Woes

The power crisis sweeping Iraq has triggered a wave of protests in central and southern parts of the country, with fears the rallies being politicized growing among observers. In Najaf, mass demonstrations erupted due to a complete power outage. In the far southern province of Basra, protests took place for…

Reuters

Followers of Iraq's Sadr pray at Saddam-era parade ground

Tens of thousands of followers of Shi'ite cleric Moqtada al-Sadr prayed on Friday at an iconic Baghdad military parade ground built by the late President Saddam Hussein, in yet another symbolic display of Sadr's sway over much of the Iraqi people.

Asharq Al-Awsat

Hundreds of Thousands of Sadr Supporters Gather for Mass Prayer in Baghdad

Hundreds of thousands of Iraqis heeded the call of influential Shiite cleric Moqtada al-Sadr to gather in a show of strength for a mass prayer in the heart of Baghdad's heavily fortified government zone on Friday. The gathering took place amid an escalating political crisis that has put the country's…

Asharq Al-Awsat

In Baghdad’s Sadr City, Cleric’s Support Underpins Protests

Khalil Ibrahim’s four sons are among thousands of followers of influential Shiite cleric Moqtada al-Sadr staging a sit-in outside Iraq’s parliament after storming the building last week in a stunning move that threw the country into a new era of political instability. Ibrahim is behind them all the way, he…

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