DARK SECRETS: Moqtada sadr - The Real Truth

What’s Next as Iraq Moves to End Deadlock?

Iraqi lawmakers have elected a new president who swiftly named a prime minister in the hope of ending a year of political gridlock and deadly violence. But major challenges lie ahead for the crisis-hit nation. How will government talks play out? Iraq's parliament, dominated by the pro-Iran Coordination Framework of…

Asharq Al-Awsat · Oct 14, 2022

Braving Rocket Attack, Iraqi MPs Elect New State President

Despite a rocket attack on Baghdad's Green Zone, Iraqi lawmakers Thursday elected a new president in hopes of ending a year of political gridlock and violence in the war-scarred nation. Iraqi Kurd Abdel Latif Rashid, 78, was elected as the new Iraqi head of state, replacing Barham Salih, by the…

Asharq Al-Awsat · Oct 13, 2022

Rockets hit Baghdad’s Green Zone as Iraqi MPs meet to elect president

At least three rockets hit Baghdad’s Green Zone on Thursday as a parliamentary session was about to meet to elect a new president and break a political gridlock.

France 24 · Oct 13, 2022

4 Militiamen Killed in Reprisal Attacks in Southern Iraq

Four militants were killed in reprisal attacks between rival Shiite militia groups in southern Iraq, two security officials said Thursday, after violent clashes in Baghdad brought the country to the precipice of street warfare. Iraqi security forces were swiftly deployed in the southern oil-rich city of Basra to contain the…

Asharq Al-Awsat · Sep 2, 2022

‘With the click of a finger’: Moqtada al-Sadr calls an end to Iraq’s wave of violence

Firebrand cleric shows off his political power by turning on and off violence

The Independent UK · Aug 30, 2022

UN Chief Calls for 'Restraint' in Iraq

UN chief Antonio Guterres on Monday called for "restraint" in Iraq and asked all parties to "take immediate steps to de-escalate the situation" as Baghdad's Green Zone descended into chaos, according to his spokesman. The secretary-general "has been following with concern the ongoing protests in Iraq today, during which demonstrators…

Asharq Al-Awsat · Aug 30, 2022

Powerful Iraqi cleric calls for early elections as political crisis escalates

Influential Shiite cleric Muqtada al-Sadr told followers Wednesday to continue their sit-in inside Iraq’s government zone, and called for the dissolution of parliament and early elections, signaling a deepening power struggle with his rivals.

France 24 · Aug 3, 2022

‘We Have Nothing’: Iraqi Protesters Voice Anger, Hope

Thousands of Iraqi protesters have occupied the parliament in Baghdad's Green Zone for the past five days, the latest political turmoil to strike the war-scarred country. The mass sit-in is led by followers of powerful Shiite Muslim preacher Moqtada Sadr, who is facing off against a rival, Iran-backed Shiite faction…

Asharq Al-Awsat · Aug 3, 2022

Explainer: What's driving the power struggle in Iraq?

A power struggle in Iraq between the influential Shi'ite cleric Moqtada Sadr and Iran-backed Shi'ite rivals has escalated with his supporters breaking into parliament and beginning an open-ended sit-in protest.

Reuters · Jul 31, 2022

Sadr’s Followers Set Up for Long Sit-in at Iraq Parliament

With mattresses strewn about, food trucked in and protesters playacting as lawmakers, hundreds of followers of influential Shiite cleric Moqtada al-Sadr were camped out Sunday inside the Iraqi parliament after toppling security walls around the building and storming in the previous day. The protesters pledged to hold an open-ended sit-in…

Asharq Al-Awsat · Jul 31, 2022