Even though the crisis in Iraq has been going on for months, Prime Minister Mustafa Al-Kazemi reiterated his invitation to Muqtada al-Sadr to engage in dialogue, confirming that the political forces fell short due to their desire for power at the expense of the people and the development of the nation.
In reference to the violent clashes that Baghdad had witnessed at the time between al-supporters Sadr’s and his archenemy, the coordinating framework, he also cautioned against the danger of the conflict, stressing that it had reached its peak in late August (comprising the State of Law coalition led by Nuri al-Maliki and the Fatah Alliance, as well as On other parties and factions loyal to Iran).
Additionally, Al-Kazemi said that some political figures’ words had sparked the disagreement between the framework and Al-Sadr, but that efforts had since returned and calmed things down in a lengthy interview with the French daily “Le Figaro” published today, Tuesday.
According to him, the two sides in the fight had wagered that the government would support one side over the other at the time, but it remained neutral.
He said that he had given the security forces “clear, plain, and stern commands to expel the threat of civil war.”
In addition, he emphasised that throughout the years, Iraq has tried a variety of violent paths, including racial, sectarian, and religious violence, all of which have failed and led to nothing but devastation.
Al-Kazemi refuted the accusation that the Sadrists wanted to stage a coup in response to his query about their objectives and whether they actually wanted elections or to topple the government.
He argued that because they refused to submit to the law, all of the political parties in the nation erred and failed to act sensibly and coherently.
Given that democratic ideas are new to the nation, he further stated, “Political forces do not believe in actual democratic values, but simply in power and authority.”
Al-Sadr must participate in the debate, he continued, since it is ultimately the only way to find a solution.
It is important to note that Iraq has experienced complete political paralysis ever since the early parliamentary elections on October 10, 2021. Since July 2022, when supporters of the two main disputants—Muqtada al-Sadr and the Coordinating Framework—took to the streets and staged a sit-in in the middle of Baghdad, the situation has only gotten worse.
The conflict came to a head when the Sadrist movement demanded more than two months ago that the parliament be dissolved and that early legislative elections be held in order to move the nation toward reforms. This demand was rejected by its opponents, who insisted on forming a government with their candidate before any new elections.
30 people died as a result of the conflict’s violent skirmishes between the two sides in central Baghdad in late August 2022, which opened the door for the prospect of a risky re-escalation.
Al-Kazemi: Civil war in Iraq was imminent.
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