Iraqis Await Federal Court’s Decision on Dissolution of Parliament

Supporters of Iraqi Shiite cleric Moqtada al-Sadr, head of the Sadrist movement carry his picture in front of the gate of the Iraqi parliament building, Baghdad, Iraq, 12 August 2022. (EPA)
Supporters of Iraqi Shiite cleric Moqtada al-Sadr, head of the Sadrist movement carry his picture in front of the gate of the Iraqi parliament building, Baghdad, Iraq, 12 August 2022. (EPA)
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Iraqis Await Federal Court’s Decision on Dissolution of Parliament

Supporters of Iraqi Shiite cleric Moqtada al-Sadr, head of the Sadrist movement carry his picture in front of the gate of the Iraqi parliament building, Baghdad, Iraq, 12 August 2022. (EPA)
Supporters of Iraqi Shiite cleric Moqtada al-Sadr, head of the Sadrist movement carry his picture in front of the gate of the Iraqi parliament building, Baghdad, Iraq, 12 August 2022. (EPA)

Iraqis are awaiting the decision of the Federal Supreme Court over the dissolution of parliament after leader of the Sadrist movement, Shiite cleric Moqtada al-Sadr, had given it 72 hours to make a ruling.

The deadline ends on Monday.

The court had, however, set Tuesday as a date for looking into complaints filed by Sadrist leaders over the dissolution of the legislature.

The Sadrists allege that the parliament had failed in fulfilling its tasks and constitutional duties in the nine months since its formation.

The Sadrists are hoping that the Federal Court would dissolve parliament, which would lead to early elections.

Legal experts, however, predict that the court will only reiterate statements by the Supreme Judicial Council last week, when it said the dissolution of the parliament was beyond its jurisdiction.

Meanwhile, a spokesman for the Sadrist movement called on Sunday for the establishment of a new Iraq, devoid of militias, illegal possession of weapons, violence, fighting, sectarianism and warring parties.

Saleh Mohammed al-Iraqi, a close associate to Sadr, urged the establishment of a state of law “where brotherhood prevails, minorities are dignified, the judiciary is honest, balanced ties are forged with the outside, peace can reign, the army can protect, the government can serve, and religions and creeds are respected.”

Iraqi had on Saturday called for holding new parliamentary elections in the country without the participation of all parties and politicians that have been part of the political scene since the 2003 American occupation.

Sadr won the largest share of seats in the October elections but failed to form a majority government, leading to what has become one of the worst political crises in Iraq in recent years.

His bloc later resigned from parliament and his supporters last month stormed the parliament building in Baghdad. His supporters have been holding a sit-in at parliament ever since.



US Military Says It Strikes Iran-Backed Militia Facility in Syria

A convoy of US military vehicles near Qamishli, Syria, February 2020. (SANA/via Reuters)
A convoy of US military vehicles near Qamishli, Syria, February 2020. (SANA/via Reuters)
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US Military Says It Strikes Iran-Backed Militia Facility in Syria

A convoy of US military vehicles near Qamishli, Syria, February 2020. (SANA/via Reuters)
A convoy of US military vehicles near Qamishli, Syria, February 2020. (SANA/via Reuters)

US forces conducted strikes in Syria against Iranian-aligned militia groups for a second day in a row Tuesday in response to further attacks on US personnel, US Central Command said late Tuesday.

In the latest retaliatory strikes, US forces hit a weapons storage and logistics facility after militia groups launched a rocket attack on US personnel at Patrol Base Shaddadi in Eastern Syria.

Earlier Tuesday, Pentagon press secretary Maj. Gen. Pat Ryder said that over the weekend the militias had also targeted US personnel with a drone attack and indirect fires at another base, Green Village, where US troops are operating — which prompted the US to strike nine militia targets on Monday in self-defense.

There are about 900 US troops deployed in Syria. No US troops were injured in either attack.