Supreme Court Suspends Iraq Parliament

A general view of the Iraqi parliament in Baghdad, Iraq, January 9, 2022. (Reuters)
A general view of the Iraqi parliament in Baghdad, Iraq, January 9, 2022. (Reuters)
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Supreme Court Suspends Iraq Parliament

A general view of the Iraqi parliament in Baghdad, Iraq, January 9, 2022. (Reuters)
A general view of the Iraqi parliament in Baghdad, Iraq, January 9, 2022. (Reuters)

The Federal Supreme Court of Iraq suspended on Thursday the parliament speaker and his two deputies, days after they were elected to their post.

The ruling came after MPs Bassem Khashan and Mahmoud Daoud filed a complaint citing "legal and constitutional violations" in their election.

The parliament will therefore be suspended until the judiciary can examine the appeal and issue a final ruling in the case.

The suspension marked a precedent in Iraq. Observers have expressed concern that should the appeal be accepted, it would delay other pending constitutional affairs, such as the election of a president in the next three weeks.

Former head of the Integrity Commission Judge Rahem al-Ugaili doubted that the court's acceptance of the appeal would annul the inaugural session of the new parliament, which was held on Sunday.

In remarks to the Asharq Al-Awsat, he explained that the ratification of the appeal is not considered a judicial ruling, but rather a suspension that would give the relevant authorities time to examine the legality and constitutionality of the inaugural meeting.

The decision will, however, have direct and indirect impacts on the parliament, which will be completely suspended until a final ruling over the appeal is reached.

He said that such an issue should be finalized withing 10 to 15 days.

He believes that the Supreme Court does not have jurisdiction over the work of the parliament, rather its authority covers the constitutionality of laws and regulations.

MP Khashan, who filed the appeal, is known for his fierce rivalry with Speaker Mohammed al-Halbousi, who was reelected to his post on Sunday.

During the meeting, he submitted legal documents that condemn Halbousi and prevent him from again running for speaker, but his objections were ignored.



US Navy Destroys Houthi Missiles and Drones Targeting American Ships in Gulf of Aden

This is a locator map of Yemen with its capital, Sanaa. (AP Photo)
This is a locator map of Yemen with its capital, Sanaa. (AP Photo)
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US Navy Destroys Houthi Missiles and Drones Targeting American Ships in Gulf of Aden

This is a locator map of Yemen with its capital, Sanaa. (AP Photo)
This is a locator map of Yemen with its capital, Sanaa. (AP Photo)

US Navy destroyers shot down seven missiles and drones fired by Yemen’s Houthi group at the warships and three American merchant vessels they were escorting through the Gulf of Aden. No damage or injuries were reported.
US Central Command said late Sunday that the destroyers USS Stockdale and USS O’Kane shot down and destroyed three anti-ship ballistic missiles, three drones and one anti-ship cruise missile. The merchant ships were not identified, reported The Associated Press.
The Houthis claimed the attack in a statement and said they had targeted the US destroyers and "three supply ships belonging to the American army in the Arabian Sea and the Gulf of Aden.”
Houthi attacks for months have targeted shipping through a waterway where $1 trillion in goods pass annually over the Israel-Hamas war in Gaza and Israel’s ground offensive in Lebanon. A ceasefire was announced last week.
The USS Stockdale was involved in a similar attack on Nov. 12.