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Iraq: Armed Factions Accuse Anbar Commander of 'High Treason'

Popular Mobilisation Forces (PMF) march during a military parade in Daquq, nearby Kirkuk, Iraq (File photo: Reuters)
Popular Mobilisation Forces (PMF) march during a military parade in Daquq, nearby Kirkuk, Iraq (File photo: Reuters)
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Iraq: Armed Factions Accuse Anbar Commander of 'High Treason'

Popular Mobilisation Forces (PMF) march during a military parade in Daquq, nearby Kirkuk, Iraq (File photo: Reuters)
Popular Mobilisation Forces (PMF) march during a military parade in Daquq, nearby Kirkuk, Iraq (File photo: Reuters)

Iraqi Commander of operations in al-Anbar province Mahmoud al-Falahi was recorded in recently-leaked audio talking to who he said was a CIA agent. In the audio, he disclosed information on military bases and locations of Popular Mobilizations Forces (PMF) in western Iraq.

The audio also revealed that the Iraqi official was asked to provide geographic coordinates of existing PMF military bases especially of ''Iraqi Hezbollah Brigades'' and al-Nujbaa to be attacked by US and Israeli forces.

Iraqi Defense Minister Maj. Gen Najah al-Shammari ordered the establishment of a commission of inquiry after the recordings were published.

The Security and Defense Parliamentary Committee called for the formation of a committee to investigate the veracity of the leaks, and some members even pointed that Falahi might face the death penalty if the recordings were proven to be true.

''Hezbollah Brigades'' attacked Falahi accusing him of “high treason”, adding that some parties close to the commander and US embassy are trying to stoke sectarianism.

Brigades’ spokesman Mohammed Mohiuddin asserted that evidence is clear of Falahi’s involvement.

Mohiuddin said that ''Hezbollah Brigades'' expect the US Embassy to question what has been published and adding that the case of commander Falahi involves treason, espionage and conspiring against the Iraqi people.

Falahi’s silence on the accusations does not mean he is unable to respond, but because he has been instructed by the Defense Ministry to remain silent until the investigation results are released, according to a source close to Anbar Operations Command.

The source, who preferred not to be named, said that the recording is fabricated by well-known parties that seek to extend their influence over Anbar areas, especially in the west.

He indicated that the commander of the operations regularly meets with US leaders to coordinate with them on security issues in Anbar and the border with Syria and Jordan, therefore he does not need to contact intelligence agents.

The source believes the issue is that certain factions and PMF brigades are trying to take over al-Nukhayb Airport and other vital areas west of Anbar to facilitate the movement and transit to Syria, which was not allowed by Falahi.

Anbar MP Adel al-Mahallawi condemned the “offensive fabrications” and desperate attempts to undermine the army and its leaders.

He said that in recent days, a number of "unacceptable" statements were issued against the army and its leaders. He praised the military and its efforts, asserting that any offense against it is directed at all Iraqis.

The MP called on all political forces and the commander-in-chief of the armed forces to take firm stances against anyone trying to weaken the military for "evil" and "suspicious" purposes supported by foreign parties that are aiming to target the security and stability of the country.

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Arab World

Crisis Looms in Southern Iraq over Water, Electricity Shortages

People protest in Dhi Qar over frequent power outages. (Social media)
People protest in Dhi Qar over frequent power outages. (Social media)
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Crisis Looms in Southern Iraq over Water, Electricity Shortages

People protest in Dhi Qar over frequent power outages. (Social media)
People protest in Dhi Qar over frequent power outages. (Social media)

The worsening electricity crisis in Iraq continues to burden most of the population, amid rising temperatures that have surpassed 50 degrees Celsius in some southern governorates.

There are fears that the crisis could lead to local conflicts between some governorates, given that some receive up to 20 hours of power, while others receive only about 10 at best.

In Dhi Qar, a number of residents threatened to cut off water from the Al-Bidaa canal and prevent it from reaching the Basra Governorate in the far south if they do not receive more hours of electricity. A video showed dozens of citizens holding signs that read: "Water for electricity."

The canal is a main channel for drinking water to Basra, flowing from the Tigris River through Dhi Qar. Cutting it off may lead to a humanitarian and service crisis for millions of Basra residents, who already suffer from water salinity and irregular supply to their homes.

An official source in Dhi Qar dismissed the citizens' ability to cut off the water supply. The source told Asharq Al-Awsat that the protests reflect anger over deteriorating electricity services in the governorate, but it will not reach the stage of cutting off water or bartering it for electricity.

The source said the problem relates to the Al-Fuhoud and Al-Chibayish areas bordering Basra.

Al-Chibayish receives enough electricity from Basra, unlike the Al-Fuhoud, which receives around two hours for every four-hour cut from Dhi Qar, making the residents’ anger justified, added the source.

The official source said the crisis is not limited to Dhi Qar, but affects most of Iraq, especially the south.

Citizens in six governorates, including Baghdad, demonstrated a few days ago to protest the shortage of electricity.

In Wasit, which borders Dhi Qar, hundreds took to the streets over the past two days in protest against the power cuts.

The demonstrations led to clashes with police and anti-riot forces, who were forced to use water cannons and tear gas to disperse the protesters, prompting criticism from MPs who demanded a probe into the unrest.

Energy officials and experts warned that the crisis will likely continue for years due to the stark disparity between demand and production capacity. The country's needs are estimated at around 60,000 megawatts, while current production does not exceed 25,000 megawatts.

Arab World

Iraq PM Aiming for Legislation that Limits Possession of Weapons to the State

Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi. (AFP)
Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi. (AFP)
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Iraq PM Aiming for Legislation that Limits Possession of Weapons to the State

Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi. (AFP)
Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi. (AFP)

Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi stressed that October 1 will be a new chapter for the state after the withdrawal of all foreign military forces from the country.

By then, it would have achieved national sovereingty over its territories as it continues to build its military and security capabilities to allow it to protect its security and stability by itself, he added.

September 30 is the deadline for both the withdrawal of the US-led anti-ISIS coalition forces from Iraq and pro-Iran armed factions to lay down their weapons.

The PM made his remarks during a meeting with Commander of the US Central Command Brad Cooper in Baghdad.

Al-Zaidi underscored the deadline for the troop withdrawal, adding that imposing state monopoly over weapons “according to the law, protects everyone and bolsters the authority and sovereignty of the state.”

“It is a condition for Iraq to move to a new phase of development,” he stressed.

The PM said he was aiming for a draft-law on limiting the possession of weapons to the state.

Sources said that this may lead to a potential confrontation with the armed factions that refuse to lay down their weapons.

Meeting with members of the parliamentary security and defense committee, al-Zaidi said that the “greatest threat to the state” was the possession of weapons outside state control because it undermines the rule of law and state institutions.

He called for preparing the draft-law, stressing the need to “bolster the standing of the state and its sovereignty and institutions.”

Legal expert Ali al-Tamimi told Asharq Al-Awsat that the Iraqi constitution stipulates that military and security forces should be under the command of civilian authority. It bars the formation of militias outside state frameworks.

He noted that the law that established the Popular Mobilization Forces in 2016 says that they are a state formation, but it demands that its members quit any parties they are members of.

The greatest challenge with the state imposing state monopoly over arms is “defining the concept of weapons.” He explained that the armed factions believe their weapons are part of a “resistance” and in line with the PMF law.

The state, on the other hand, views these weapons as outside its authority and they need to come under its control, he added.

Arab World

Syria Forms Committee to Seek Interpol Handover of Assad-Era Figures

Syrians celebrate outside the Omari Mosque in Daraa, where the Syrian uprising began in 2011, after a Syrian court sentenced Atef Najib, the official responsible for the crackdown in the city, to death (dpa)
Syrians celebrate outside the Omari Mosque in Daraa, where the Syrian uprising began in 2011, after a Syrian court sentenced Atef Najib, the official responsible for the crackdown in the city, to death (dpa)
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Syria Forms Committee to Seek Interpol Handover of Assad-Era Figures

Syrians celebrate outside the Omari Mosque in Daraa, where the Syrian uprising began in 2011, after a Syrian court sentenced Atef Najib, the official responsible for the crackdown in the city, to death (dpa)
Syrians celebrate outside the Omari Mosque in Daraa, where the Syrian uprising began in 2011, after a Syrian court sentenced Atef Najib, the official responsible for the crackdown in the city, to death (dpa)

Syria has formed a committee to seek the extradition of criminals sentenced to death in absentia, Deputy Justice Minister Mustafa al-Qassem said on Wednesday, as the government defended the rulings against criticism from Amnesty International.

Al-Qassem said the committee would coordinate with Interpol to secure the handover of those convicted to Syria.

A Syrian court on Tuesday sentenced ousted President Bashar al-Assad and several senior figures from his rule to death, including former security official Atef Najib, in the first rulings of their kind since the former government was overthrown in late 2024.

Cheers and chants erupted inside the courtroom, through the corridors of the Palace of Justice and outside the building as the verdicts were announced.

“We have established offices to receive complaints related to transitional justice crimes, and we are seeking to recover Syrians’ stolen funds and pursue those who invested them abroad,” al-Qassem told Syria’s Al-Ikhbariya television.

He said international cooperation, particularly in the handover of fugitives, would help accelerate Syria’s transitional justice process.

Al-Qassem said the Justice Ministry was also seeking the closest possible alignment between Syrian judicial procedures and international trial standards, while stressing Syria’s national sovereignty in matters of transitional justice.

The Justice Ministry, meanwhile, pushed back against Amnesty International’s criticism of Tuesday’s rulings, saying the group’s statement “does not accurately reflect the nature of the judicial procedures followed in these cases or the safeguards guaranteed to litigants under Syrian law.”

Amnesty said the government, if it wanted to “truly turn the page on the horrors of the past,” should end trials in absentia and the death penalty, criminalize core crimes under international law in domestic legislation and undertake comprehensive judicial reform.

It said prosecutions should take place before ordinary civilian courts, with victims participating and without resorting to capital punishment, as part of a nationwide, victim-centered strategy aimed at establishing truth, delivering justice and providing reparations.

The ministry said the cases were heard before a competent civilian criminal court by qualified judges, with victims and their representatives taking part in accordance with legal procedures.

It said constitutional and legal safeguards were observed, along with relevant principles of international humanitarian law and international human rights law.

The trials, it added, were based on facts, evidence and judicial case files, with defendants guaranteed rights of defense, appeal and objection under applicable procedures.

The ministry said Syria’s current circumstances, after years of crimes and violations, placed a legal and moral duty on the state to deliver justice and hold those responsible to account.

That responsibility, it said, did not justify bypassing constitutional or legal safeguards or diminishing the rights of any party to a case.

Justice was being pursued through state institutions and within their jurisdiction, the ministry said, “in a manner that preserves victims’ right to redress and defendants’ right to a trial under the law, away from revenge or politicization.”

On capital punishment, the ministry said the death penalty remained part of Syrian law and could only be imposed by a court ruling based on law, evidence and facts.

Any execution, it said, would be subject to prescribed legal safeguards and could take place only after all stages and procedures required by law and the competent authorities had been completed.

The ministry also defended trials in absentia, saying that when permitted by law and conducted under the required conditions, they did not, in themselves, undermine fair-trial guarantees or the legality of the proceedings.

It reiterated its willingness to engage with international rights groups and consider observations that could help improve Syria’s justice system.

But it said evaluating judicial procedures, ruling on cases and determining responsibility and punishment remained the jurisdiction of the Syrian judiciary, operating under the constitution and the law while safeguarding the rights of all parties and victims’ right to justice.

Justice Minister Mazhar al-Wais told Al-Ikhbariya on Tuesday that the ruling against Atef Najib had been issued in the name of the entire Syrian people.

He said the verdict showed that no one was above the law, regardless of status or position, and that rights would ultimately be restored to those entitled to them, however long it took.