Iraq's Post-Withdrawal Crisis, Update 28
June 29, 2012-July 6, 2012
Sadrists Back Down
Efforts by a political opposition to remove Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki received a fatal blow this week as it became clear that the Sadrist bloc was no longer pushing for the no-confidence measure. “The issue of withdrawing confidence from Maliki is no longer existing and the reforms will be considered in order to positively affect the citizens,” said Riyadh al-Zubaidi, a Sadrist lawmaker. “There is no political crisis at this time,” added Zubaidi, “we are fixing the political mistake in order to support the political process.” During a meeting between the prime minister and Sadrist representatives this week, Shi’a cleric Muqtada al-Sadr reportedly confirmed through a telephone call with Maliki his cooperation on a political reform process with the National Alliance. The White party, an Iraqiyya-splinter group, urged the Kurds and the Sunni-dominated Iraqiyya bloc to follow the example set by the Sadrists in announcing an end to the political crisis and the start of talks on initiating reforms.
IHEC: Provincial Elections Delayed
The Independent High Electoral Commission (IHEC) announced this week that provincial elections will be postponed until April 2013. IHEC head Faraj al-Haidari blamed the delay on the Council of Ministers not approving payments to fund the commission’s work for preparing for the provincial elections. Haidari had requested Maliki months ago to release the funds allocated for IHEC’s work, but received no response. Last month, IHEC had postponed Kurdish provincial elections, originally slated for September 27, to be postponed indefinitely. The mandate for IHEC’s current board expired in April, but it was extended for an additional three months or until Parliament appoints another board.
Al-Qaeda Militants Crossing Into Syria
Iraqi Foreign Minister Hoshyar Zebari stated on Thursday that the government had “solid information and intelligence” that al-Qaeda fighters in Iraq were crossing the border into Syria to carry out attacks. Zebari had long urged the Syrian regime in Damascus to tighten the border and halt the flow of Sunni fighters into Iraq during the insurgency. “Now their direction is the other way around,” Zebari said.
Iraq's Post-Withdrawal Crisis, Update 24- May 25-June 1, 2012: The Numbers Game
Iraq's Post-Withdrawal Crisis, Update 23- May 22- May 25, 2012: Efforts To Remove Maliki Intensify
Iraq's Post-Withdrawal Crisis, Update 22- May 22-May 18, 2012:Hashemi Trial Begins
Iraq's Post-Withdrawal Crisis, Update 21- May 4-May 11, 2012: Daqduq Case Dismissed
Iraq's Post-Withdrawal Crisis, Update 20- April 27-May 4, 2012: Ultimatum Issued To Maliki
Iraq's Post-Withdrawal Crisis, Update 19- April 20-April 27, 2012: Maliki Visits Tehran
Iraq's Post-Withdrawal Crisis, Update 15- March 23- March 30, 2012: Baghdad Hosts Arab League Summit
Iraq's Post-Withdrawal Crisis, Update 14- March 15-March 23, 2012: Barzani Disparages Maliki
Iraq's Post-Withdrawal Crisis, Update 12- March 6- March 8, 2012: Diyala Appoints New Governor
Iraq's Post-Withdrawal Crisis, Update 5- January 13- January 20, 2012: Iraqiyya Continues Boycott
Iraq's Post-Withdrawal Crisis, Update 1- December 19, 2011: Timeline of political crisis