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JUST IN: PM Sudani meets expelled Speaker Halbusi
The meeting addressed recent political developments and focused on efforts to sustain political stability.
The Prime Minister emphasized the significance of dialogue and resolving emerging issues through communication among the political forces, which form the fundamental basis of the political process.
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Ousted speaker holds presser
Mohammad Al-Halbousi, the ousted speaker of parliament, criticized the federal court's decision to end his parliamentary membership, labeling it unconstitutional. In a Wednesday press conference, Halbousi questioned the legal process's integrity, stating, “If the concerned party violates the constitution, where do the litigants turn?” He argued that membership termination is legally valid only in cases of death, withdrawal, imprisonment, or illness, none of which apply to him.
Halbousi challenged the court's claims to jurisdiction over the matter, noting, “The court can only consider a representative's membership through Article 52 of the Constitution,” and that it cannot invalidate membership without a council decision. He accused the Federal Court of exceeding its jurisdiction, especially in cases involving the Speaker of the House of Representatives.
Addressing accusations against himself, Halbousi dismissed claims of involvement with an American company as "a lie and slander," and criticized the court's overreach in several matters."
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Speaking of...
Pentagon reported on Tuesday that U.S. forces in Iraq and Syria have faced 55 attacks since Oct. 17. Deputy Pentagon Spokeswoman Sabrina Singh, during a press briefing, detailed 27 incidents in Iraq and 28 in Syria.
Singh updated on the casualties, stating that 59 U.S. personnel have suffered injuries classified as traumatic brain injury (TBI) or non-serious. She noted that about 27 were evaluated for TBI and 32 for other minor injuries. All 59 have since returned to duty.
These remarks followed U.S. military strikes on Sunday targeting two locations in eastern Syria, believed to be used by Iran-backed groups.
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Pro-Iran forces reposition along Iraqi border with Syria
Reports indicate that factions loyal to Iran have repositioned along the Iraqi-Syrian border. According to Shafaq News citing Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, these militias have strategically moved in Syria's Deir Ezzor province, mainly on the Euphrates River's western banks.
The factions shifted their bases around Al-Mayadeen, Al-Bukamal's outskirts, and within Deir Ezzor city. The repositioning involved moving weapons and ammunition to safer locations, likely preparing for potential Israeli or U.S. strikes. This follows recent attacks on the militias and two U.S. airstrikes in Syria targeting Iran-aligned groups.
According to U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin, the strikes hit a training site near Albu Kamal and a safe house near Mayadeen. These developments come amid heightened tensions following U.S. base attacks in Iraq and Syria and the ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict.
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Their discussion focused on the recent political developments in Iraq, the relationship between Erbil and Baghdad, and the efforts to resume oil exports from the Kurdistan Region. They also delved into France’s relations with both Iraq and the Kurdistan Region, and exchanged perspectives on the situation in the Middle East and its impact and repercussions.
President Nechirvan Barzani welcomed the continuation of the ongoing talks between Erbil and Baghdad, aimed at resolving the outstanding issues. He also described the recent visit of the Iraqi Prime Minister and Oil Minister to Erbil as constructive and positive, emphasizing the Kurdistan Region’s commitment to resolving matters with the Iraqi Federal Government in accordance with the Constitution.
In light of the tensions in the Middle East, the two discussed efforts to prevent further escalation and stressed the importance of maintaining peace and stability in Iraq. They concurred that Iraq should not be drawn into the conflict and underscored the need to maintain the safety of coalition forces and diplomats.
Furthermore, President Nechirvan Barzani and Ambassador Chevalier touched upon the President’s recent visit to Paris and his meeting with President Emmanuel Macron. They also highlighted the relations between Iraq and the Kurdistan Region with neighboring countries, along with other issues of mutual interest.
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Video of missing academic Elizabeth Tsurkov surfaces in Iraq
Al-Rabia TV reported Monday that Elizabeth Tsurkov, an Israeli-Russian academic kidnapped in Baghdad in March, has appeared in a video. Al-Rabia, known for its ties to pro-Iran Iraqi militias, broadcast the footage. Tsurkov, unaccounted for since Kataib Hezbollah, aligned with Iran, reportedly kidnapped her, is visible for the first time since her disappearance.
In the video, Tsurkov speaks Hebrew, referencing the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas in Gaza. The recording's date remains unclear. She says she worked for the CIA and Mossad in the U.S., Iraq, and Syria, saying, "I arrived in Iraq in the service of the Mossad and CIA and have been held for seven months. I served the country. Until now, nothing has happened." She expresses concern about the Israeli government's lack of action regarding her release.
However, a senior Israeli official cited by Israeli media denied that she's an Israeli agent.
According to BBC Monitoring, Tsurkov’s sister told Israel's Channel 12 News: "It seems that they literally told her word for word what she should say. Some of the syntax there is a bit unnatural for her, it doesn't flow so easily in Hebrew. I guess they gave her the text in Arabic."
In the video, Tsurkov criticizes the Israeli government's actions in Gaza, suggesting they could foster long-term animosity. She particularly criticizes Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's leadership, arguing it could exacerbate the conflict.
Tsurkov, a critic of Israeli policies in Palestinian territories, last communicated via a tweet on March 21, sharing an article she wrote for the U.S.-based New Lines Institute. She is a fellow at this institute and a research fellow at the Forum for Regional Thinking, an Israeli-Palestinian think tank in Jerusalem. On her website, Tsurkov says her research aims to "understand and convey" Middle Eastern people's experiences and "highlight abuses by powerful actors, whether they are dictatorial regimes, armed groups, or foreign countries intervening in the region."
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Director at Crisis Response Group and Middle East Institute Fellow Ranj Alaaldin
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No guesswork required for what the KRG top brass think about the court
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Read this piece on the Washington Institute website for details on how pro-Iran forces have weaponized the supreme court to remake Iraqi politics in their image
Here's a sample:
Do read the whole paper by Crispin Smith and Michael Knights below:
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The judicial approach is a new one, but Halbousi has been subject to threats and attacks before
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Indeed, two parliamentary officials told AP that there's no route for appeal
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Morning briefing
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