Where does Iran stand on neighbouring Iraq’s political turmoil? Al-Sadr appears to be in a weakened position after his latest withdrawal from politics led to clashes that left 30 dead. Al Jazeera · Aug 31, 2022
EXPLAINER: What spurred the bloody armed clashes in Baghdad? Iraq witnessed bloody street violence for nearly 24 hours spurred by loyalists of a powerful Shiite cleric, Muqtada al-Sadr, that was the culmination of a 10-month power struggle The Independent UK · Aug 30, 2022
Who are the rival Shiite politicians vying to fill Iraq’s political vacuum? Ten months after the October 2021 parliamentary elections, Iraq is still mired in a political impasse that turned deadly Monday after Moqtada al-Sadr announced his resignation from politics. Supporters of the powerful cleric clashed with followers of rival Shiite parties, plunging Iraq into a crisis that could draw in regional… France 24 · Aug 30, 2022
Sadr: No Dialogue with the Corrupt, Expect our Next Move The leader of the Sadrist movement in Iraq, Muqtada al-Sadr, has said he would not hold talks with the corrupt, adding that he is preparing for the next move. Tensions in Iraq have escalated over the inability of political factions to agree on the formation of a government, 10 months… Asharq Al-Awsat · Aug 21, 2022
As Iraqi Protesters Rally, Political Deadlock Leaves Families without Cash Sabreen Khalil lost her husband to COVID last year, leaving her to raise seven children alone, but Iraqi government funding to help her and hundreds of thousands of families in poverty is blocked by political stalemate. With politicians deadlocked over forming a new government since an election in October, rival… Asharq Al-Awsat · Aug 19, 2022
As Iraqi protesters rally, political deadlock leaves families without cash Sabreen Khalil lost her husband to COVID last year, leaving her to raise seven children alone, but Iraqi government funding to help her and hundreds of thousands of families in poverty is blocked by political stalemate. Reuters · Aug 19, 2022
Iraq: Concerns over Escalating Conflict between Sadrist Movement, Coordination Framework Concerns have mounted in Iraq over the conflict between the Sadrist movement and the Coordination Framework, which was further compounded by the street pressure exerted on Prime Minister Mustafa Al-Kadhimi. Photos published by the Iraqi government showed Al-Kadhimi exhausted as he spoke with the leaders of the political blocs during… Asharq Al-Awsat · Aug 19, 2022
Iraq’s Sadr Backtracks on Call for Huge Protest Iraq's firebrand Shiite cleric Moqtada al-Sadr backtracked Tuesday after earlier urging his supporters to join a massive rally as a standoff with his political rivals appeared to be getting worse. The populist cleric's announcement came amid behind the scenes talks aimed at steering Iraq out of crisis, with the country's… Asharq Al-Awsat · Aug 16, 2022
‘No authority’: Iraq judiciary says it cannot dissolve parliament The Supreme Judicial Council responded to an ultimatum by Muqtada al-Sadr amid a paralysing political crisis. Al Jazeera · Aug 14, 2022
Who are the Shiite politicians vying to rule Iraq amid its political impasse? Majority-Shiite Iraq has been paralysed by political gridlock for nearly a year. Tensions are mounting between two powerful Shiite factions: one loyal to nationalist cleric Moqtada al-Sadr, on the one hand, and an alliance of pro-Iran interests led by former Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki on the other. FRANCE 24 looks… France 24 · Aug 14, 2022
Iraqi judiciary says it has no powers to dissolve parliament Iraq’s top judicial body says it doesn't have the authority to dissolve the country’s parliament The Independent UK · Aug 14, 2022
Sadr Calls for Saving Iraq from Occupation, Terrorism, Corruption Muqtada al-Sadr, the leader of the Sadrist Movement in Iraq, has unleashed a show of popular force driven by slogans of dissolving the parliament, holding early elections, and discrediting the legitimacy of authorities that took over the country after the ouster of President Saddam Hussein in 2003. While followers of… Asharq Al-Awsat · Aug 13, 2022
Iraq Shiite cleric behind parliament sit-in steps up demands An influential Shiite cleric in Iraq whose supporters earlier this month stormed the parliament in Baghdad and are holding a sit-in outside the building, has stepped up his demands and issued a veiled threat of violence The Independent UK · Aug 10, 2022
Sadr Mobilizes Supporters, Coordination Framework Opposes Dissolving Iraqi Parliament While Sadrist Movement leader Muqtada al-Sadr continues to rally popular pressure to dissolve the current Iraqi parliament, the Shiite Coordination Framework, which is practically the largest bloc in parliament, is working to thwart his ambitions. The Coordination Framework can stop the dissolution of parliament without first reaching a settlement with… Asharq Al-Awsat · Aug 8, 2022
Al Jazeera · Aug 5, 2022 Thousands of al-Sadr supporters gather for mass prayer in Baghdad Worshippers converge on a vast square inside Baghdad’s Green Zone, home to government and diplomatic buildings.
Asharq Al-Awsat · Aug 4, 2022 Sadrist Movement, Coordination Framework Protest on Different Bridges in Baghdad The leader of the Sadrist movement in Iraq, Muqtada al-Sadr, rejected the call for dialogue, describing it as "useless" as long as the Iraqi people have said their say in the elections. In a televised speech, Sadr noted that "Iraqi blood is dear," stressing "enough blood...
Asharq Al-Awsat · Aug 3, 2022 ‘We Have Nothing’: Iraqi Protesters Voice Anger, Hope Thousands of Iraqi protesters have occupied the parliament in Baghdad's Green Zone for the past five days, the latest political turmoil to strike the war-scarred country. The mass sit-in is led by followers of powerful Shiite Muslim preacher Moqtada Sadr, who is facing off against a rival, Iran-backed Shiite faction…
Al Jazeera · Aug 3, 2022 Supporters of Iraq’s al-Sadr told to withdraw from parliament Senior pro-Sadr loyalist told supporters to end parliament sit-in but called for protests to continue inside Green Zone.
Asharq Al-Awsat · Aug 2, 2022 Crisis in Iraq Tests its Stability and Iran’s Sway A power struggle in Iraq between the Shiite cleric Moqtada al-Sadr and rivals aligned with Iran is testing Tehran's ability to stave off a conflict that could damage its interests and further destabilize the oil-rich country. With Sadr supporters camped out in parliament and his opponents protesting in the streets,…
Asharq Al-Awsat · Aug 2, 2022 Iraq’s Sadrists Told to Quit Parliament but Keep Protesting A top official from Iraq's Sadrist movement called Tuesday on followers who have occupied parliament for four days to move their protest outside, as calls mount for dialogue between political rivals. Supporters of powerful cleric Moqtada al-Sadr -- whose political bloc in October won the largest share of seats in…
Asharq Al-Awsat · Aug 2, 2022 Iraq’s Sadr Offers ‘Conditional Reconciliation’ to Fatah Leader Iraqi Shiite cleric Moqtada al-Sadr made a surprise move on Monday by offering “conditional reconciliation” with head of the Fatah alliance, Hadi al-Ameri, of the rival Shiite Coordination Framework. Thousands of Iraqis took to the streets of Baghdad Monday in counter-protests as rival supporters of Sadr extended their occupation of…
Al Jazeera · Aug 1, 2022 Tensions soar as rival protests take place near Iraqi parliament Thousands of al-Sadr supporters resume their sit-in inside parliament in Baghdad as counter-protests take place nearby.
The Guardian - UK · Aug 1, 2022 Shia factions mass in Baghdad raising fears of more unrest Rallies in support of cleric Moqtada al-Sadr follow occupation of Iraqi parliament amid a political vacuum
Reuters · Aug 1, 2022 Factbox-Iraq’s competing Shi’ite groups Shi’ite Muslim political and paramilitary groups are escalating a tense political standoff which many Iraqis worry could lead to new conflict in the country.
Asharq Al-Awsat · Aug 1, 2022 Iraqi Army Denies Defections: We Stand at Equal Distance from People The Iraqi Defense Ministry denied on Monday reports of defections in the military. The army and all its members are in service of the people and they stand at an equal distance from them, it said in a statement. Social media posts had claimed that a military infantry unit had…