No place for armed militias in the Iraq government, announces leader Muqtada al-Sadr

Baghdad: – For the first time since the elections in October last year, the Iraq Parliament began work on Sunday. A new parliamentary speaker has been announced, a new government will be formed in Iraq soon. Muqtada al-Sadr, the winner of the October election, said that armed groups would have no place in the new Iraqi government. But Sadr announced that he would form a government in coalition with the Sunni and Kurdish groups in Iraq.

Three months ago, on October 10th, general elections were held in Iraq. Muqtada al-Sadr‘s Sadrist Movement won the highest number of 73 seats. Besides, al-Sadr had announced that he expected a government in Iraq, not under any foreign influence. Consequently, al-Sadr is strongly opposed to US troop deployments in Iraq and the influence of Iranian-linked groups on Iraqi politics.

Moreover, his stance received strong support from the Iraqi population. The reason is Iraq was ruled by a pro-US followed by a pro-Iranian government after overthrowing the Saddam Hussain regime. Tired of this, the Iraqi population supported al-Sadr’s stand and his party emerged successful in the elections.

But for the past three months, strong protests have happened in Iraq against the victory of the Sadrist movement. The ruling was opposed by political parties and armed groups affiliated with Iran in Iraq. They also demanded a recount. But after al-Sadr’s party won most votes, these parties and groups demanded fresh elections even in the recount. The Iran affiliated groups even carried out violent protests in various places. There were three drone attacks on the residence of interim Iraqi Prime Minister Mustafa al-Kadhimi. Iraqi security agencies also were targeted. This created tension in Iraq. The United Nations had expressed concerns over the developments. Besides, given the violent protests, al-Sadr was unable to for the government for a long time.

Last week, al-Sadr released important information regarding the government formation on social media. Henceforth, there will be no place for sects and ethnicity in Iraq, said al-Sadr. At the same time, he also announced that there would be no place for the armed gangs in the Iraq government. Although al-Sadr has not been mentioned, Iraqi and Arab media claimed that al-Sadr has targeted Iran and its affiliated armed gangs.

Al-Sadr said that he would be forming a coalition government with the second-largest party Takdum and the fourth largest Kurdistan Democratic party. Out of these, Takdum, the political party representing Sunnis, was formed in 2019. The leader of this party, Al Halbousi, has been elected as the Speaker of the Council of Representatives of Iraq. Electing Al-Habousi as the parliament speaker, al-Sadr attempted to coordinate between the Shia and Sunni factions in Iraq.

Although Al-Sadr has decided to adopt a stand for cooperation to establish peace in Iraq, which is scorching in the heat of ethnic conflicts, the Iran affiliated groups and organisations have not recognised Al-Sadr as their leader. Al-Sadr, once known as pro-Iranian, is now viewed as an anti-Iranian leader. At the same time, allegations are being levelled that this influential leader is increasing his closeness to Saudi.