Iraq: Withdrawal of Al-Hal Leader Puts Bina Alliance Under Threat

In this Wednesday, April 10, 2019 photo, Iraqis light candles as they pray for the victims who fell since 2003 during the occupation of Baghdad. (AP Photo/Hadi Mizban)
In this Wednesday, April 10, 2019 photo, Iraqis light candles as they pray for the victims who fell since 2003 during the occupation of Baghdad. (AP Photo/Hadi Mizban)
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Iraq: Withdrawal of Al-Hal Leader Puts Bina Alliance Under Threat

In this Wednesday, April 10, 2019 photo, Iraqis light candles as they pray for the victims who fell since 2003 during the occupation of Baghdad. (AP Photo/Hadi Mizban)
In this Wednesday, April 10, 2019 photo, Iraqis light candles as they pray for the victims who fell since 2003 during the occupation of Baghdad. (AP Photo/Hadi Mizban)

Iraqi Sunni leader Jamal Karbouli announced on Thursday the withdrawal of his party, Al-Hal, from the Bina Coalition.

In a statement issued late on Wednesday, Karbouli said: “I joined Bina with good intentions” with an objective to bring all parties closer.

However, he lamented the failure to bridge the gap between the rival parties.

Karbouli’s decision to withdraw his party from the major national parliamentary bloc came amid lingering disputes that have stalled the full formation of a new cabinet in Iraq.

“My brother withdrew from the bloc for the failure to implement all issues we agreed to achieve as part of the national project that we still work to realize,” Mohammed Karbouli, a member of the Iraqi parliament and the brother of Jamal, told Asharq Al-Awsat.

Observers and political figures in Iraq believe that Karbouli’s move will significantly affect Bina's position in parliament.

Abdullah al-Kharbit, a lawmaker from the western province of Anbar, told Asharq Al-Awsat that Jamal Karbouli, who is a doctor, is a professional politician.

“This would be the start of Bina’s breakup, unless leaders of the coalition redress Karbouli’s withdrawal,” he said.



Trump to Meet with Syria’s Sharaa as He Weighs Easing Sanctions after Assad’s Overthrow

Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa speaks during a joint press conference with French President Emmanuel Macron (not pictured) after their meeting at the Elysee Palace in Paris, France, 07 May 2025. (EPA)
Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa speaks during a joint press conference with French President Emmanuel Macron (not pictured) after their meeting at the Elysee Palace in Paris, France, 07 May 2025. (EPA)
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Trump to Meet with Syria’s Sharaa as He Weighs Easing Sanctions after Assad’s Overthrow

Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa speaks during a joint press conference with French President Emmanuel Macron (not pictured) after their meeting at the Elysee Palace in Paris, France, 07 May 2025. (EPA)
Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa speaks during a joint press conference with French President Emmanuel Macron (not pictured) after their meeting at the Elysee Palace in Paris, France, 07 May 2025. (EPA)

President Donald Trump will meet Wednesday in Saudi Arabia with Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa, who last year led the overthrow of former President Bashar al-Assad.

“The President agreed to say hello to the Syrian President while in Saudi Arabia tomorrow," the White House said.

The US has been weighing how to handle Sharaa since he took power in December.

Then-President Joe Biden left the decision to Trump, whose administration has yet to formally recognize the new Syrian government. Sanctions imposed on Damascus under Assad also remain in place.

As he prepared to leave Washington, Trump said he’s weighing removing sanctions on the Syrian government.

“We may want to take them off of Syria, because we want to give them a fresh start,” said Trump, adding that Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has urged him to do so.

The comments marked a striking change in tone from Trump, who has been deeply skeptical of Sharaa.

Formerly known by the nom de guerre Abu Mohammed al-Golani, Sharaa joined the ranks of al-Qaeda insurgents battling US forces in Iraq after the US-led invasion in 2003 and still faces a warrant for his arrest on terrorism charges in Iraq.

Sharaa, whom the US once offered $10 million for information about his whereabouts because of his links to al-Qaeda, came back to his home country after the conflict began in 2011 where he led al-Qaeda’s branch that used to be known as the Nusra Front. He later changed the name of his group to Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) and cut links with al-Qaeda.