A recent insurgence in Iraqi parliament has raised concerns over the eruption of extremism. Sadr campaign may lead the country into a new round of civil war in Iraq.
The powerful Shiite leader Moqtada Sadr and his challengers are engaged in a heated power battle in Baghdad. A permanent campaign strike has been initiated inside congress by Sadr’s followers.
A rift in the Shiite society has grown further as a result of the contest over who will form the next administration. Since the American invasion that removed former Sunni autocrat from power, the group has governed Iraqi political system.
The reasons behind the conflict, its significance for the country, and the future all remain tricky questions. Sadr is a populist with a passionately devoted fan base and a history of radical activities. He is the heir to a notable religious family. Following the US invasion, resisting American forces and squabbling with Iraqi officials were the main parts of Sadr record in Iraq.
In the years following the war, Sadr was in charge of the Mehdi Army, a formidable militia. He formally dissolved the army in less than 5 years. L arge part of armed soldiers are still part of its descendant, the Peace Brigades.
In the administrative system, where his followers occupy many roles, he wields considerable power. In the years ending 2020, he has emphasized his claims as an Iraqi nationalist, challenging the influence of other nationalist and religious factions.
His Shiite foes get together to establish the Coordination Framework, which also includes elected officials who support Iran. They include Nouri al-Maliki, a former Iraqi PM, and strong paramilitary organizations.
Many of these organizations have connections to Tehran since the Iran-Iraq war, when Iran aided Iraqi people fighting Saddam. Both sides charge one another with corruption.
Sadr Campaign
Since the 2021 election, in which Sadr group won 74 of the 329 positions, escalations has taken deeper side. The share of groups opposing alliance decreased from 48 to 17 over time.
The latter group began thwarting Sadr’s attempts to establish a government after losing in their legal attempts to reverse the ruling. The Sadr regime intended to embrace its Kurdish and Sunni Arab partners while excluding organizations he deemed devoted to Tehran.
Despite having fewer members in parliament, the Iran-aligned organizations were nevertheless able to thwart Sadr’s attempt to establish a cabinet. They refused to reach the two-thirds threshold required to choose a Kurdish head of state, which was the first step in creating a government.
As a result of the impasse, Sadr gave his legislators instructions to resign from parliament in June. The Coordination Framework received hundreds of seats as a result of the action, allowing it to attempt to select a PM of its choice.
Maliki, a foe of the Sadr party who was eyeing a return, ran for the office. In the political structure of Iraq, the position is designated to a Shiite group. Maliki, however, withdrew after Sadr criticized him in a Twitter post.
Then, Mohammed Shiya al-Sudani, a candidate who is viewed as a Maliki ally by Sadr adherents, was put out by Sadr’s opposition. This move seems to have been the tipping point for Sadr’s loyalists and started the protests.
Concerns about public confrontation arose when the Coordination Framework called for its followers to march on Sunday. The Framework then called off the rally.
Despite promising to engage in peaceful political activity, Sadr is supported by the Peace Brigades and several of his civilian supporters own guns. Sadr policy in coming days is key to the future of Iraq and Iraqi people.
