Coordination Framework Pressuring PM to Amend Iraqi-US Strategic Agreement

This photo provided by Iraqi Parliament Media Office, shows Mohammed Shia al-Sudani, a candidate for Iraq's prime minister position, speaks during the parliamentary session to vote on the new government in Baghdad, Iraq, Thursday, Oct.27, 2022. (Iraqi Parliament Media Office via AP, File)
This photo provided by Iraqi Parliament Media Office, shows Mohammed Shia al-Sudani, a candidate for Iraq's prime minister position, speaks during the parliamentary session to vote on the new government in Baghdad, Iraq, Thursday, Oct.27, 2022. (Iraqi Parliament Media Office via AP, File)
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Coordination Framework Pressuring PM to Amend Iraqi-US Strategic Agreement

This photo provided by Iraqi Parliament Media Office, shows Mohammed Shia al-Sudani, a candidate for Iraq's prime minister position, speaks during the parliamentary session to vote on the new government in Baghdad, Iraq, Thursday, Oct.27, 2022. (Iraqi Parliament Media Office via AP, File)
This photo provided by Iraqi Parliament Media Office, shows Mohammed Shia al-Sudani, a candidate for Iraq's prime minister position, speaks during the parliamentary session to vote on the new government in Baghdad, Iraq, Thursday, Oct.27, 2022. (Iraqi Parliament Media Office via AP, File)

Parties from the pro-Iran Coordination Framework have demanded that Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani kick off negotiations to amend the Strategic Framework Agreement for a Relationship of Friendship and Cooperation between Baghdad and Washington, trusted Iraqi sources revealed to Asharq Al-Awsat.

The amendments would demand a ban on American drone flights and the withdrawal of American forces from Iraq.

The sources said Sudani has received signals from the American administration of its “serious intent” to bolster ties with Baghdad and develop the strategic agreement.

Such a move would place Sudani in a “fierce confrontation” with the Shiite parties that oppose American presence in Iraq.

Independent MP Mustafa al-Sanad had previously revealed that the US had requested Sudani’s presence in Washington to complete agreements struck with the former government.

A political source close to the Coordination Framework told Asharq Al-Awsat that Shiite parties had recently underscored to Sudani the fundamentals of Iraq’s security and interests.

At the top of their demands was barring flights of American drones and the withdrawal of American troops from Iraq, including the Kurdistan region.

The source said the Shiite proposals went against Sudani’s efforts to maintain Iraq’s balanced ties with the US and Iran.

Last week, Asharq Al-Awsat revealed that the Coordination Framework was divided over claims that Sudani was developing relations with American officials, including Ambassador Alina Romanowski. Some parties were alarmed by the rapprochement.

A member of the Framework, Turki al-Otaibi had said Washington was using the strategic agreement with Iraq as a cover for its continued drone flights over the country, reported local media.

Moreover, he accused Washington of committing major economic and financial violations in Iraq.



Israeli Strikes on Gaza Kill at Least 27 Palestinians

Palestinian girls look at the rubble of the Abou Mahadi family destroyed in Israeli strikes in Beit Lahia in the northern Gaza Strip on APril 28, 2025. (Photo by BASHAR TALEB / AFP)
Palestinian girls look at the rubble of the Abou Mahadi family destroyed in Israeli strikes in Beit Lahia in the northern Gaza Strip on APril 28, 2025. (Photo by BASHAR TALEB / AFP)
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Israeli Strikes on Gaza Kill at Least 27 Palestinians

Palestinian girls look at the rubble of the Abou Mahadi family destroyed in Israeli strikes in Beit Lahia in the northern Gaza Strip on APril 28, 2025. (Photo by BASHAR TALEB / AFP)
Palestinian girls look at the rubble of the Abou Mahadi family destroyed in Israeli strikes in Beit Lahia in the northern Gaza Strip on APril 28, 2025. (Photo by BASHAR TALEB / AFP)

Israeli strikes on the Gaza Strip overnight into Monday killed at least 27 Palestinians, according to local health officials. There was no immediate comment from the Israeli military.

Israel has carried out daily strikes on Gaza since ending its ceasefire with Hamas last month. It has cut off the territory's 2 million Palestinians from all imports, including food and medicine, since the beginning of March in what it says is an attempt to pressure the militant group to release hostages.

The daily bombardment and widespread hunger is taking a heavy toll on Gaza's most vulnerable residents, including pregnant women and children. The United Nations' highest court began holding hearings on Monday into Israel's obligation to facilitate humanitarian aid to the territories it occupies.

Israel says the International Court of Justice is biased against it. It says enough aid entered during the ceasefire to sustain the population and accuses Hamas of siphoning it off.

Humanitarian workers say supplies are running desperately low, with most people eating one meal or less a day. They say the UN closely monitors aid distribution and deny any significant diversion.

Strikes hit three homes

An airstrike hit a home in Beit Lahiya, killing 10 people, including a Palestinian prisoner, Abdel-Fattah Abu Mahadi, who had been released as part of the ceasefire. His wife, two of their children and a grandchild were also killed, according to the Indonesian Hospital, which received the bodies.

Another strike hit a home in Gaza City, killing seven people, including two women, according to the Gaza Health Ministry's emergency service. Two other people were wounded.

Late Sunday, a strike hit a home in the southern city of Khan Younis, killing at least 10 people, including five siblings as young as 4 years old, according to the Health Ministry. Two other children were killed along with their parents, according to Nasser Hospital, which received the bodies.

Israel says it makes every effort to avoid harming civilians and blames Hamas for their deaths because the militants operate in densely populated areas. Palestinians say nowhere in blockaded Gaza is safe.

No end in sight to the 18-month-old war

The war began when Hamas-led militants attacked southern Israel on Oct. 7, 2023, killing some 1,200 people, mostly civilians, and abducting 251. Hamas is still holding 59 hostages, 24 of whom are believed to be alive, after most of the rest were released in ceasefire agreements or other deals.

Israel's retaliatory offensive has killed over 52,000 Palestinians, mostly women and children, according to the Health Ministry, which does not say how many of the dead were fighters or civilians. Israel's bombardment and ground operations have destroyed vast areas of Gaza and left most of its population homeless.

The Health Ministry says 2,151 people, including 732 children, have been killed since Israel shattered the truce on March 18.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has vowed to continue the offensive until all the hostages are returned and Hamas is either destroyed or agrees to disarm and leave the territory. He says Israel will then implement US President Donald Trump's proposal to resettle much of Gaza's population in other countries through what the Israeli leader refers to as "voluntary emigration."

Palestinians say the plan would amount to forcible expulsion from their homeland after Israel's offensive left much of Gaza uninhabitable. Human rights experts say it would likely violate international law.

Hamas has said it will only release the remaining hostages in return for more Palestinian prisoners, a lasting ceasefire and a full Israeli withdrawal from Gaza, as called for in the ceasefire that Israel ended.