Iraq’s al-Sadr Joins Forces With Iran-Backed Coalition To Form A New Government

Announcement comes exactly one month after an election marred by historically low turnout and fraud allegations [Alaa al-Marjani/Reuters]

Al Jazeera: Iraq's Sadr announces political alliance with pro-Iranian bloc

The move is the first serious step towards forming a new government in Iraq after weeks of negotiations between parties.

Iraq's Shia leader Muqtada al-Sadr has announced a surprise alliance with pro-Iranian political bloc led by Hadi al-Amiri in a bid to form government after last month's elections resulted in a hung parliament.

At a joint press conference with Amiri in the Shia holy city of Najaf on Tuesday, Sadr hailed the formation of "a true alliance to accelerate the formation of a national government away from any dogmatism".

The move by Sadr, who is opposed to Iranian involvement in the country, is the first serious step towards forming a new government after weeks of negotiations between parties.

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WNU Editor: Worries among the Kurds and Sunni Arabs on this coalition has just gone off the scale.

More News On Iraq’s al-Sadr Joining Forces With An Iran-Backed Coalition To Form A New Government

Iraq’s al-Sadr joins forces with Iran-backed coalition -- AP
Iraq's Sadr and Amiri set to lead talks on new government -- Reuters
Iraq's Sadr forms surprise alliance with pro-Iran coalition -- UPI
Iraq's Sadr announces alliance with pro-Iranian Ameri -- AFP
Shi'ite Leaders In Iraq Form Unexpected, Pro-Iran Political Alliance -- RFE
Moqtada Al Sadr and Hadi Al Amiri to form political alliance -- The National
Iraqi Shia leaders Sadr and Amiri announce post-election political alliance -- Middle East Eye

Cleric Muqtada al-Sadr's Coalition Has Won Iraq's Parliamentary Elections

BBC: Shia cleric Moqtada Sadr's bloc wins Iraq elections

An alliance headed by a former Shia militia chief who led two uprisings against the US-led invasion of Iraq has won the parliamentary elections.

But Moqtada Sadr, who is also staunchly opposed to Iranian involvement in the country, cannot become prime minister as he did not stand as a candidate.

However, he is expected to play a major role in forming the new government.

The party of outgoing PM Haider al-Abadi was pushed into third place, behind a pro-Iranian alliance.

Mr Sadr's win represents a remarkable comeback for the cleric after he was sidelined for years by Iranian-backed rivals.

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WNU Editor: To begin .... this election did not face the violence of past years .... and this is an incredible accomplishment. As for the election .... there were 329 seats up for grabs, and the breakdown on who won what is this .... Sadr's Saeroun bloc won 54 seats of the 329 seats in the parliament, the most of any coalition. The pro-Iranian Fatah Alliance, led by Hadi al-Amiri, took 48 seats, while the Victory Alliance, led by Washington's preferred candidate, Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi, won 42 seats. Bottom line .... a coalition government needs to be formed. This is probably going to take some time, and what is not helping the situation is that before the election Iran publicly stated that it would not allow al-Sadr's bloc to govern. And speaking of Iran .... according to Al Jazeera .... Iranian Major General Qassem Soleimani, commander of foreign operations for Iran's elite Revolutionary Guards and a highly influential figure in Iraq, has been holding talks with politicians in Baghdad to promote the formation of a new cabinet that would have Iran's approval.

More News On Cleric Muqtada al-Sadr's Coalition Wins The Most Seats In Iraq's Parliamentary Election

Militant-turned-populist cleric Sadr wins Iraqi election -- AP
Cleric Sadr wins Iraq poll but forming government far off -- AFP
Cleric Moqtada al-Sadr's bloc wins Iraq election -- Reuters
Populist cleric Muqtada al-Sadr's coalition wins Iraq's election -- CNN
Al Sadr's bloc confirmed as winner of Iraq election -- The National
Iraq elections final results: Sadr's bloc wins parliamentary poll -- Al Jazeera
After election victory, Sadr tweets to Iraqis ‘we will not let you down’ -- Al Arabiya
Analysis: Political earthquake in Iraq threatens to thwart Iran's plans -- Arutz Sheva
Sadr’s bloc wins Iraq election but forming government far off -- Middle East Eye
New Iraqi Government Unlikely to Cozy up to Iran -- Stratfor

Shia Leader Muqtada al-Sadr's Coalition Set To Win In Iraq's Parliamentary Elections

Al Bawaba: Muqtada al-Sadr Set to Win Iraqi Elections, Future of Haider Al-Abadi in Peril

With more than 90 percent of votes counted, the coalition of Shia leader Muqtada al-Sadr is set to win Iraq's parliamentary elections.

After being sidelined by Iranian-backed rivals for years, the apparent parliamentary victory marks a political comeback for Sadr, who didn't even officially run for prime minister in this year's elections.

Sadr, an opponent to both U.S. and Iranian influence in Iraq, was followed by Iran-backed Shia militia leader Hadi Al Amiri's coalition. Incumbent Prime Minister Haider Al Abadi's coalition, initially predicted to win re-election, trails in third.

With votes coming in from 16 of Iraq's 18 provinces, Sairoon -- an alliance between the Sadrist Movement and Iraq's Communist Party -- won more than 1.3 million votes and 54 of 329 parliament seats.

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More News On Shia Leader Muqtada al-Sadr's Coalition Set To Win In Iraq's Parliamentary Elections

Early results in Iraq election favor populist cleric al-Sadr -- AP
Cleric eyes government as election upset rocks Iraq -- AFP
Iraq’s Abadi congratulates Shiite cleric Sadr on election win -- Iraq News
Shia leader Muqtada al-Sadr's coalition set to win in Iraq -- UPI
Iraq election: Shia leader Muqtada al-Sadr alliance set to win -- Al Jazeera
Iraqis Deliver Surprising Results In First Big Election Since ISIS War -- NPR
Cleric who fought US troops is winning Iraq’s election: Meet Moqtada al Sadr -- CNBC
Shi'ite cleric's election win puts Iran to the test in Iraq -- Reuters
What next for Iraq as cleric Sadr heads for election win? -- AFP
Meet the Iraqi Shiite Cleric Whose Coalition Just Won Country's Election -- Sputnik
Who is Muqtada al-Sadr, Iraq's influential Shiite cleric? -- DW

Shia Leader Muqtada al-Sadr's Coalition Set To Win Iraq Election

Reuters: Cleric Sadr, in surprise comeback, seems set to win Iraq election

BAGHDAD (Reuters) - Nationalist cleric Moqtada al-Sadr, a long-time adversary of the United States, led in Iraq’s parliamentary election with more than half the votes counted on Monday, the electoral commission said, in a surprise turn of fortune for the Shi’ite leader.

In the first election since Islamic State was defeated in the country, Shi’ite militia chief Hadi al-Amiri’s bloc, which is backed by Iran, was in second place, while Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi, once seen as the front-runner, trailed in third position.

The preliminary results were based on a count of more than 95 percent of the votes cast in 10 of Iraq’s 18 provinces.

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More News On Reports That Shia Leader Muqtada al-Sadr's Coalition Is Set To Win The Iraq Election

Iraq election: Prime minister trails rivals -- BBC
Cleric who fought US takes surprise lead in Iraq elections -- The Guardian
Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi trails in preliminary election results -- DW
Shia leader Muqtada al-Sadr leading in Iraq's election -- Al Jazeera
Iraq elections: Shia leader Muqtada al-Sadr's coalition takes early lead -- UPI
Cleric who bloodied US and pro-Iran fighter frontrunners in Iraq vote -- AFP
Early Results in Iraq Election Favor Populist Cleric Al-Sadr -- Bloomberg
Iraq election: Polls show Iraqi PM lags behind Shia rivals -- Al Jazeera
Disillusionment appears to help Shiite cleric in Iraq vote -- AP

Radical Iraqi Cleric al-Sadr Leads In Early Vote Results

Al Jazeera: Iraq vote: Initial results show PM Abadi, Muqtada al-Sadr leading

Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi appears ahead in voting, followed by Shia cleric Muqtada al-Sadr.

While final results for Iraq's parliamentary election expected on Monday, preliminary figures point towards the two main Shia lists as the leading contenders.

Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi's list appears to be in the lead, followed by influential Shia cleric Muqtada al-Sadr's alliance, an election commission source and a security official told Reuters news agency on Sunday.

Commenting on the preliminary results, Ibrahim Marashi, associate professor at the Department of History, California State University, San Marcos, told Al Jazeera: "If these two lists are in the lead, it would indicate that both leaders, who ran on a cross-sectarian platform, developed electoral strategies that resonated among voters."

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WNU Editor: The major wire services are saying that Shia cleric Muqtada al-Sadr is ahead in the polls. The final results should be released tomorrow. The turnout for this election was incredibly small .... which means that those who can get their supporters to vote have a huge advantage. In this case .... this is a huge advantage for Muqtada al-Sadr.

More News On Reports That Radical Iraqi Cleric al-Sadr Is Leading In Early Vote Results

The Latest: Iraqi cleric al-Sadr leads in early vote results -- AP
Shi'ite cleric Sadr leads in Iraq's parliamentary election -- Reuters
Shiite cleric Sadr front-runner in partial election results -- AP
Iraq PM appears in lead after first post-IS election -- AFP
Iran-backed al-Fatih Coalition claims they received highest votes in Iraqi elections -- Kurdistan 24
At Iraq’s polls, voters seek patronage and jobs -- AP
Iraq sees lowest election turnout for 15 years with just 44.5% casting vote -- SKY News

Polls Have Closed In Iraq. Results Will Be Known In 48 Hours

Daily Mail: Polls close in Iraq's first election since the defeat of ISIS with reports of low turnout and complaints of problems with electronic voting system

* Since the defeat of terror group, Iraq has seen a lull in insurgent attacks but armed guards and curfew in place
* Some 7000 candidates standing, vote will be conducted electronically for first time in bid to reduce fraud
* Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi faces stiff competition from political parties with closer ties to Iran
* Iraq continues to struggle with an economic downturn sparked in part by a drop in global oil prices

Polls have closed across Iraq Saturday evening in the first national election since the country declared victory over the Islamic State group.

The vote - the fourth since the 2003 U.S.-led toppling of Saddam Hussein - was marked by reports of low turnout and irregularities.

Results are expected within the next 48 hours according to the independent body that oversees Iraq's election, but negotiations to choose a prime minister tasked with forming a government are expected to drag on for months.

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WNU Editor: The turn-out was around 45%. There is little if any enthusiasm among the Iraqis for this vote.

More News On The Polls Closing In Iraq

Record low turnout in first Iraq elections since IS defeat -- AP
Record abstention in Iraq's first vote after defeating IS -- AFP
Iraqis vote as Abadi seeks to fend off Iran-backed rivals -- Reuters
Weary Iraqis seek stability in first poll since Isis pushed out – as PM looks to limit Iran influence -- The Independent
Low Turnout Reported in Iraqi Election as US and Iran Vie for Influence -- Wall Street Journal
Low turnout as Iraqis vote for first time since ISIL defeat -- Al Jazeera

Iraq Will Hold Parliamentary Elections On May 15, 2018

President Donald Trump greets Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi at the White House in Washington, U.S., March 20, 2017. REUTERS/Kevin Lamarque

Arab News: Iraqi premier calls election, bans armed factions from contesting

BAGHDAD: Iraq will hold a parliamentary election on May 15 next year and political parties with armed wings will not be allowed to take part, Prime Minister Haider Al-Abadi said on Wednesday.

“The Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF), as a part of the Iraqi security system, have no right to practice politics,” Al-Abadi said. “So, as a military institution, they will not participate in the election. Political parties should give up their armed wings, or they will be prevented from taking part.”

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WNU Editor: Iraqi Prime Minister Haider Al-Abadi will run .... but no one is sure if he will win. Forcing Iraq's political parties to give up on their militias if they want to run for office is a positive development .... but no one is sure if they will comply. Bottom line .... the next few months are going to be critical for Iraq .... I can only hope that the people choose wisely when they finally do go to the polls in May.

Shi'ite Leader Moqtada al-Sadr Leads Protest In Iraq's Green Zone

Iraqi Shiite Muslim leader Moqtada al-Sadr speaks during a sit-in at the gates of Baghdad's heavily fortified Green Zone March 27, 2016. (Xinhua/Reuters Photo)

Reuters: Iraq's Sadr begins sit-in inside Green Zone to push for reforms

Powerful Iraqi Shi'ite Muslim leader Moqtada al-Sadr entered Baghdad's Green Zone, the heavily-fortified center of the capital housing government buildings and embassies, on Sunday to keep up pressure on the government to enact reforms.

Thousands of Sadr's supporters began a sit-in at the district's gates more than a week ago and continued to camp out despite heavy rains earlier in the day, but Sadr took the protest forward by entering the zone itself.

"Beloved protesters, I will enter the Green Zone by myself and (my escorts) only. I sit in inside the Green Zone and you sit in at its gates. None of you move," he told them before walking past a security checkpoint near parliament and the upscale Rashid Hotel into the Green Zone.

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WNU Editor: The worng person to lead these protests .... he only fuels the Shiite-Sunni divide.

More News On Shi'ite Leader Moqtada al-Sadr Leading A Protest In Iraq's Green Zone

Iraqi cleric meets with PM after beginning Green Zone sit-in -- AP
Iraq cleric Sadr in 'Green Zone' sit-in protest -- AFP
Shia cleric leads protest in Iraq’s Green Zone -- Al Bawaba
Iraq's Shiite cleric begins sit-in in Baghdad's Green Zone -- Xinhua
Sadr enters Baghdad's Green Zone and stages sit-in -- RUDAW

Iraq Government Moves Forward On Reforms

BBC: Iraq reforms: Parliament backs PM Haider al-Abadi's plan

The Iraqi parliament has unanimously approved reforms aimed at stamping out corruption, reducing government waste and easing sectarian tensions.

Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi's programme was pushed through without debate, according to parliamentary speaker Salim al-Juburi.

Under the plan, Mr Abadi will cut spending and eliminate senior posts.

It follows recent anti-government protests over an unreliable electricity supply amid a major heatwave.

WNU Editor: This is a classic case of "too little and too late".

More News On The Iraq Government Moving Forward On Reforms

Iraq parliament votes to transform ruling system in boost for Abadi -- Reuters
Iraq's Parliament Approves Reform Plan in Rare Show of Unity -- NYT/AP
Iraq Parliament Unanimously Passes Anti-Corruption Reforms -- WSJ
Iraqi Parliament Unanimously Approves Government Overhaul -- NYT
Iraqi parliament unanimously approves anti-corruption reforms -- CNN
Iraqi Parliament Unanimously Approves Government Reforms -- VOA
Iraqi Parliament Passes Anti-Graft Bill to Temper Rising Anger -- Bloomberg

It Appears That Iraq's Current Prime Minister Maliki's Days Are Numbered

Iraq's Top Shiite Cleric Calls For New Government -- Wall Street Journal

'Effective' Government Needed That 'Avoids Past Mistakes.'

BAGHDAD—Iraq's most influential Shiite cleric called on Friday for Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki to step aside, breaking ranks with the leader of the Shiite-dominated government after nearly two weeks of fighting with Sunni militants that has left the country's military humiliated.

In a sermon to worshipers in the holy city of Karbala, a spokesman for Grand Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani didn't mention the prime minister by name. But Ahmed al-Safi said it was time for a different administration in Iraq, which is beset by a powerful Sunni insurgency led by the Islamic State of Iraq and al-Sham.

"It is necessary for the winning political blocs to start a dialogue that yields an effective government that enjoys broad national support, avoids past mistakes and opens new horizons toward a better future for all Iraqis," Mr. al-Safi said.

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More News On The Growing Calls For Iraq PM al-Maliki To Resign

Iraq's top Shiite cleric calls for forming new government quickly -- L.A. Times
Leading Shiite Cleric Says Iraq Needs A New Government -- NPR
Iraq leader's support eroding fast -- CBS/AP
Iraq's prime minister al-Maliki under pressure amid militant offensive -- FOX News
U.S. officials said to be pushing for the removal of Iraq's leader -- L.A. Times
Iraq's Maliki: I won't quit as condition of US strikes against Isis militants -- The Guardian

My Comment: When you are Iraq's Prime Minister and the country's most influential Shiite cleric calls for your resignation .... your days are numbered.

Iraq Wants Interpol To Arrest it's Former Vice President

International Alert Issued For Fugitive Iraqi Vice President -- CNN

Istanbul (CNN) -- Interpol on Tuesday issued a "red notice" for Iraqi Vice President Tariq al-Hashimi, who is suspected of guiding and financing terrorist attacks in the country.

The red notice for al-Hashimi "represents a regional (and) international alert to all of Interpol's 190 member countries to seek their help in locating and arresting him, following the issue of a national arrest warrant by Iraq's Judicial Investigative Authority as part of an investigation in which security forces seized bombing materials and arrested individuals," the international police organization said in a statement.

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More News On The Interpol Arrest Warrant For Former Iraqi Vice President Tariq al-Hashimi

Iraq's Tariq al-Hashemi faces Interpol arrest notice -- BBC
At Baghdad’s request, Interpol issues ‘red notice’ for Iraq’s fugitive Sunni vice president -- Washington Post/AP
Interpol calls for Iraq vice-president Hashemi's arrest -- Reuters
Turkey won't deport Iraq's al-Hashemi -- Deutsche Welle
Turkey: No plans to extradite Iraqi VP -- AP
Turkey 'refuses to extradite Iraqi vice-president' -- AFP
Iraq's Hashemi to stay in Turkey -- UPI

Is Iraq's Government Coming Apart?

With U.S. Troops Hardly Gone, Iraq's Government Is Coming Apart -- McClatchy News

BAGHDAD — Faster than anyone expected, barely a month after the last U.S. troops left, Iraq's government appears to be coming apart, prompting fears that the country is headed for another round of sectarian strife.

Prime Minister Nouri al Maliki, a Shiite Muslim, is driving to consolidate control and sideline more secular politicians in a battle that increasingly appears to be a fight to the finish in which there can be no compromise.

Barham Salih, the widely admired prime minister of the autonomous Kurdish region in the north, said the infighting is "tearing the country apart." Preemption is the name of the game.

"The motto is: 'I'll have him for lunch before they have me for dinner'," he said during an interview in his office in Irbil.

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Update: Rising Strife Threatens Tenuous Iraqi Stability -- New York Times

Previous Post: Human Rights Watch: Iraq Is Becoming A Police State

My Comment: Iraq's tribalism/religious sectarian differences are now coming out in the open. Controlled by Hussein, suppressed by US forces during the occupation .... Iraq's inner demons are no longer restrained and are now making their presence felt. Vice President Biden speculated as a U.S. senator in 2006 that Iraq should be split into 3 sections .... a proposal that was ridiculed by many (including me). Hmmmm .... if Iraq continues this trend of rising strife .... Vice President Biden's proposals when made as a Senator are probably going to come very very very true.

More Ominous Developments In Iraq

The emblem of the militia Asaib Ahl al-Haq was prominent in a recent rally in Baghdad that celebrated attacks on Americans. Michael Kamber for The New York Times

Political Role for Militants Worsens Fault Lines in Iraq -- New York Times

BAGHDAD — It was one of the deadliest insurgent groups in Iraq in recent years, an Iranian-backed militia that bombed American military convoys and bases, assassinated dozens of Iraqi officials and tried to kidnap Americans even as the last soldiers withdrew.

But now the Shiite-led government of Prime Minister Nuri Kamal al-Maliki is welcoming the militant group into Iraq’s political system, a move that could tilt the nation’s center of gravity closer to Iran. The government’s support for the militia, which only just swore off violence, has opened new sectarian fault lines in Iraq’s political crisis while potentially empowering Iran at a moment of rising military and economic tensions between Tehran and Washington.

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My Comment: Iraq's Prime Minister Maliki issues an arrest warrant against his Sunni Vice President for running death squads, but a week later he embraces a Shiite group that made no secret that they were running death squads. Sighhh .... you cannot help but feel that Iraq is now heading into sectarian civil war.

An Interview With Iraq’s Fugitive Vice President

Iraq’s Fugitive Vice President -- The Daily Beast/Newsweek

Tariq al-Hashimi has an arrest warrant on his head. He speaks to Newsweek about the country’s tenuous future.

On Dec. 18 in Baghdad, a plane carrying Iraq’s vice president, Tariq al-Hashimi, was stopped before it could take off. Instead, Hashimi and his bodyguards were escorted off the aircraft. When the plane was finally allowed to leave, two of Hashimi’s men were arrested on charges of terrorism. Thus began a national crisis and the beginning of the unraveling of Iraq’s fragile democracy.

Following a warrant for his arrest issued by Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki, Hashimi has since taken refuge in a Kurdish enclave in the country’s north. And so the nation’s foremost Sunni leader became its top fugitive—he stands accused of running death squads and sponsoring a suicide attack in 2005. He denied these allegations over many cups of tea when interviewed by Newsweek recently in a military compound near the city of Sulaymaniyah.

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My Comment: Everyone has blood on their hands in Iraq .... there are no innocents. But for the peace process to continue there has to be some form of reconciliation and compromise .... even with murderers. But .... it looks like Iraq's sectarian and religious blood feuds are taking over, and Iraq's Vice President Tariq al-Hashimi is going to be one of it's first political casualties.

Iraq`s Political Crisis Get's Worse

Sadrists Call For New Elections In Iraq As Political Turmoil Escalates -- Washington Post/AP

BAGHDAD — The political party loyal to radical Shiite cleric Muqtada al-Sadr called Monday for the dissolution of Iraq’s parliament and new elections in another move that could escalate the country’s growing sectarian crisis.

The anti-American Sadrist bloc is a partner in the Shiite-dominated government of Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki. Bahaa al-Aaraji, the head of the Sadrists’ bloc in parliament, said the elections are needed because of instability in the country and problems that threaten Iraq’s sovereignty.

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More News On Iraq`s Political Crisis

Iraq Crisis Grows With New Threat -- Wall Street Journal
Sadrists Call for New Elections in Iraq -- Voice of America
In Blow to Government, Sadr Followers Call for New Elections -- New York Times
Al-Sadr's bloc calls for dissolution of Iraqi parliament -- CNN
Sadr followers call for new elections in Iraq -- Washington Post
Sadr bloc calls for early elections in Iraq -- Reuters

Iraq's Vice President Wants To Flee The Country

Iraq's Sunni vice President Tareq al-Hashemi Photo: REUTERS

Iraq Vice President Raises Prospect Of Fleeing Country -- The Telegraph

Tareq al-Hashemi, the vice president of Iraq, who is charged with running a death squad, has said he will not go to Baghdad to stand trial as he raised the prospect of fleeing the country.

Mr Hashemi, holed up at an official guesthouse of Iraqi President Jalal Talabani in the country's autonomous Kurdish region, acknowledged his guards may have carried out attacks, but he has steadfastly denied any involvement.

The warrant against Hashemi, issued nearly a week ago, has been the focus of a political row between Shiite Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki and the Sunni-backed Iraqiya bloc, which is a part of his national unity government and of which Hashemi is a member.

Asked if he would return to Baghdad to face trial, Mr Hashemi told AFP: "Of course not."

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My Comment: He knows that he is a marked man .... and what worse is that many Sunnis in the country now believe that eventually they will also be targeted by the Shiite dominated government in Baghdad. Is civil war rearing its ugly head in the horizon .... hmmmm .... if this crisis continues the answer will be yes.

Iraq's Prime Minister Moves The Government To Shiite Rule

Iraq's Maliki Rebuffs Biden, Signals Move To Shiite Rule -- McClathcy News

BAGHDAD — Rebuffing a plea by the Obama administration, Iraq's Prime Minister Nouri al Maliki signaled Wednesday that he's ready to gradually drop his key partner party, the largely Sunni Iraqiya bloc, and move toward a government run by the country's Shiite majority at the expense of minority Sunnis and Kurds. At a news conference where he repeatedly emphasized his own powers under the Iraqi constitution and berated his coalition partners, Maliki seemed unconcerned if some Iraqiya members quit the broad coalition, and he spoke at length about the options available to him if they did.

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My Comment: The Sunni's have been discarded from the government. So much for reconciliation and unity .... instead .... where Iraq is heading now is sectarian violence and the very real prospect of civil war.

Iraq's Unity Government Is On The Verge Of Collapse

Iraq’s Shiite Premier Tells Kurds To Hand Over Wanted Sunni VP As Sectarian Tensions Rise -- Washington Post/AP

BAGHDAD — Iraq’s Shiite prime minister told Kurdish authorities Wednesday to hand over the Sunni vice president, who fled to the semiautonomous region to escape an arrest warrant on charges he ran hit squads targeting government officials.

Then a Kurdish presidential spokesman ruled out handing Tariq al-Hashemi over to Baghdad, turning up the heat under what has become the worst Iraqi political crisis in years.

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More News On Iraq's Sectarian Divisions

Iraq's sectarian divide threatens to split country as anger at Maliki grows -- The Guardian
Iraq's Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki threatens to replace Sunni ministers -- The Telegraph
Iraq PM warns Sunnis could be shut from power -- Reuters
Iraqi Sunni Leaders Denounce PM Maliki -- New York Times/Reuters
Vice President of Iraq Voices Sunnis’ Anger as He Denies Ordering Killings -- New York Times
Iraqi vice president denies involvement in terrorism -- Washington Post
Iraq's vice presidency vows to fight against terror charges -- The Telegraph

Iraqi PM Urges Kurds To Hand Over VP Tariq al-Hashemi -- BBC
Iraqi PM warns Kurds over wanted VP -- CNN
Iraq PM tells Kurds to hand over Sunni VP -- CBS/AP
Iraqi PM urges Kurds to hand over Sunni vice-president -- The Guardian
Iraq's Maliki tells Kurds to hand over Sunni leader -- Reuters
Maliki tells Kurdistan to hand over Iraqi VP Hashimi -- Washington Post
Iraq: Nouri al-Maliki calls on Kurds to hand over vice president Tareq al-Hashemi -- The Telegraph

Biden urges Iraq leaders to resolve sectarian disputes -- BBC
Biden Urges Iraqi Leaders to Settle Differences -- Voice of America

Nouri al-Maliki is pulling Iraq apart -- The Telegraph
With US gone, Iraq's Maliki is setting the board for a power grab -- Christian Science Monitor
As the U.S. Leaves Iraq, Shiites Determined to Hold Power -- Jamie Tarabay, The Atlantic
In Iraq, a return to old enmities -- Washington Post editorial
Analysis: Iraq Crisis Raises Specter of Sectarian Strife -- New York Times/Reuters
Iraq: left to the wolves -- The Guardian editorial

Iraq's Vice President Flees To The Kurdish North To Escape Terror Charges

Iraqi PM Urges Kurds To Hand Over VP Tariq al-Hashemi -- BBC

Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri Maliki has urged the Kurdish authorities in northern Iraq to hand over Iraq's Sunni Vice-President, Tariq al-Hashemi.

An arrest warrant was issued for Mr Hashemi on Monday on terrorism charges.

Tariq al-Hashemi is Iraq's most senior Sunni Arab politician. He says the allegations are "fabricated".

He is currently in Irbil, under the protection of the Kurdistan regional government. The warrant was issued a day after US troops pulled out of Iraq.

US Vice-President Joe Biden has urged Iraqi leaders to work together to avert renewed sectarian strife.

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More News On Iraq's Political Crisis

Iraqi PM warns Kurds over wanted VP -- CNN
Iraq PM tells Kurds to hand over Sunni VP -- CBS/AP
Iraqi PM urges Kurds to hand over Sunni vice-president -- The Guardian
Iraq's Maliki tells Kurds to hand over Sunni leader -- Reuters
Maliki tells Kurdistan to hand over Iraqi VP Hashimi -- Washington Post
Iraq: Nouri al-Maliki calls on Kurds to hand over vice president Tareq al-Hashemi -- The Telegraph

My Comment: The Sunni minority now clearly feel prosecuted .... as for the unity government .... from where I stand it is now dead.

Iraq`s Unity Government Is Unravelling One Day After U.S. Troops Have Left

In a statement on Monday, Hashemi (pictured) accused Maliki's government of 'deliberate harassment' after his plane was delayed for three hours at Baghdad airport. The Telegraph

Iraq In Fresh Turmoil As Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki Orders Arrest Of Vice President -- The Telegraph

Iraq's delicate sectarian consensus was in danger of unravelling on Monday after the country's Shia Muslim prime minister attempted to neuter two of his most powerful Sunni rivals within hours of the final departure of US troops from Iraqi soil.

Nuri al-Maliki plunged Iraq into political turmoi by ordering the arrest of Tareq al-Hashemi, his respected Sunni vice president, on terrorism charges.

Further escalating tensions, he also asked parliament to hold a no-confidence vote to allow him to dismiss Saleh al-Mutlak, the Sunni deputy prime minister, who angered Mr Maliki by describing him as a "dictator" during a television interview last week.

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More News On Iraqi Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki Ordering The Arrest Of His Vice President

Iraq in political turmoil hours after last US troops depart -- The Telegraph
Iraq's chief Sunni leader faces terror charges as tensions rise -- The Guardian
As US troops exit Iraq, Maliki moves against Sunni rivals -- Christian Science Monitor
Tension rise as Iraq seeks Sunni VP arrest -- Reuters
Arrest Order for Sunni Leader in Iraq Opens New Rift -- New York Times
Arrest warrant issued for Iraqi vice president -- CNN
Iraq's unity government teeters amid US pull-out -- The Australian/AFP
Tensions rise as Iraq seeks Sunni VP arrest -- MSNBC/Reuters
Arrest Warrant Issued for Iraq’s Vice President on Terrorism Charges -- Voice of America
Iraq Issues Warrant For Vice President -- Radio Free Europe
Iraq issues arrest warrant for Sunni VP -- CBS/AP
Arrest warrant out for Iraqi Vice President Tariq al-Hashimi -- Global Post

My Comment: Yup .... it only took one day for the knives to come out. Max Boot`s comments are right on. This does not look good .... not good at all.