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Al-Maliki Gears Up for Pivotal Battle in Iraq’s Provincial Council Elections

Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia Al-Sudani alongside Nouri al-Maliki during a religious occasion in Baghdad last month (Office of the Iraqi Prime Minister).
Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia Al-Sudani alongside Nouri al-Maliki during a religious occasion in Baghdad last month (Office of the Iraqi Prime Minister).
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Al-Maliki Gears Up for Pivotal Battle in Iraq’s Provincial Council Elections

Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia Al-Sudani alongside Nouri al-Maliki during a religious occasion in Baghdad last month (Office of the Iraqi Prime Minister).
Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia Al-Sudani alongside Nouri al-Maliki during a religious occasion in Baghdad last month (Office of the Iraqi Prime Minister).

Indicators from within the coalition led by former Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki suggest that he is poised to engage in a pivotal battle in this year's end-of-year elections for the provincial councils.

His objective is to secure five governors in central and southern Iraq. Additionally, he plans to capture the Shiite voters’ support in Baghdad, which is anticipated to be a fiercely contested electoral battleground, as described by members of the State of Law Coalition.

For months, al-Maliki’s coalition has set two goals concerning provincial council elections.

Firstly, they adamantly oppose any postponement of the scheduled December deadline.

Secondly, they are shutting the door on forming alliances with other Shiite factions in Iraq’s Coordination Framework.

The former premier is inclined to win council seats “without anyone's assistance,” according to a coalition insider.

Al-Maliki has previously affirmed that the local elections will take place as planned without any delays. He has called upon his supporters to be prepared and actively engage in selecting their representatives for the provincial councils.

A leader within al-Maliki’s coalition, who requested anonymity, revealed to Asharq Al-Awsat that the former prime minister is determined to expand his influence within the provinces.

His strategy encompasses winning around 40% of the Iraqi Parliament’s over 450 seats, in addition to securing the position of governor in five cities without any assistance from allies.

Sources with knowledge of the matter claim that al-Maliki is one of the most enthusiastic proponents of the Sadrist movement’s absence from the competition. He views the provincial council elections as a golden opportunity not only to solidify his influence but also to fill the void left by Muqtada al-Sadr.

In the previous local elections of 2013, al-Maliki managed to secure approximately 120 seats and five governor positions. However, he lost them all when the provincial councils were dissolved in 2019 due to the Iraq protests.

It appears that the former Prime Minister is entirely preoccupied with electoral calculations in areas where the Sadrist movement holds sway, especially in the central and southern regions of the country.

He believes that the “central battle” will unfold in the capital city, Baghdad, where the competition among Shiite candidates for securing Shiite voters’ support is fiercest.

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Baghdad Urges Washington to Prevent ‘Imminent’ Israeli Strikes

Sudani visiting a market in Baghdad on Thursday (Government media)
Sudani visiting a market in Baghdad on Thursday (Government media)
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Baghdad Urges Washington to Prevent ‘Imminent’ Israeli Strikes

Sudani visiting a market in Baghdad on Thursday (Government media)
Sudani visiting a market in Baghdad on Thursday (Government media)

Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia Al-Sudani on Thursday called on major powers to “exert greater efforts to end the war in Palestine and Lebanon.” Meanwhile, an Iraqi government official urged the United States to “prevent any attacks on the country,” referring to potential Israeli strikes.
During a phone conversation with Russian President Vladimir Putin, Al-Sudani stressed the importance of ensuring the conflict does not escalate “to a level that threatens regional and global stability.”
The Iraqi prime minister’s appeal comes amid reports suggesting that Israel may launch strikes on Iraq in retaliation for attacks by Iraqi armed factions targeting Israeli positions.
The Iraqi government is striving to assert its exclusive authority over weapons and war-related decisions. However, armed factions affiliated with the Axis of Resistance openly claim responsibility for near-daily rocket attacks on Israel. This has provided Israel with a justification for potentially targeting Iraqi territory, especially after it filed a complaint with the UN Security Council against six Iraqi factions and held Baghdad responsible for the attacks.
These factions have also openly declared their involvement in the ongoing conflict with Israel in Lebanon and Gaza. The Iraqi government has been unable to take decisive action to halt the activities of these factions, which many believe could soon expose Iraq to an Israeli strike.
According to media reports, Washington has warned Baghdad that Israeli airstrikes on Iraq are “imminent” unless the Iraqi government curtails attacks by Iranian-backed factions on Israel. The Times of Israel cited sources indicating that the United States has “exhausted all means of pressure on Israel” and urged Iraq to act swiftly to prevent such attacks.
Despite repeated assurances from the Iraqi government—including its recent adoption of 12 measures by the National Security Council to counter Israeli threats and complaints—the situation remains tense. These measures include monitoring Iraq’s western borders, preventing factions from launching attacks, and maintaining Iraq’s neutrality in the ongoing conflict.
On Wednesday, Abu Hussein Al-Hamidawi, Secretary-General of Kata’ib Hezbollah, made a striking statement on the role of resistance factions in the war and their commitment to the Unity of Fronts doctrine frequently mentioned by Axis of Resistance groups.
In an interview published by the faction’s media arm, Al-Hamidawi said: “The continuity of the Unity of Fronts concept depends on what the Lebanese Hezbollah decides.”
Al-Hamidawi also emphasized that resistance factions are constantly coordinating internally and with external partners such as Hezbollah, the Houthis, and Palestinian resistance leaders.
“We aim to ensure that the Palestinian people are not left alone and that the Unity of Fronts remains intact,” he stated.
Fadi Al-Shammari, a political advisor to Sudani, reiterated that Israel’s threats “are not new,” citing the recent complaint filed by Israel with the UN Security Council as part of its pattern of issuing threats.
In media statements, Al-Shammari reaffirmed the Iraqi government’s long-standing position: “The decision of war and peace lies solely with the Iraqi government.”
He noted that the factions’ attacks are being launched from areas outside Iraq’s borders, specifically from Syria. However, he stressed that the Iraqi government is working through its security and military agencies to prevent Iraq from becoming a battlefield for external or internal parties.
Al-Shammari also called on the United States to fulfill its responsibilities under the Strategic Framework Agreement and security pact with Iraq, emphasizing the need to deter and respond to any external attacks that threaten Iraq’s internal security.