Tuesday, October 16, 2007
Sadrists reject SIIC suggestion of soft partition
Politics
(Al Jazeera) - The Muqtada al-Sadr bloc has rejected a suggestion made by another Iraqi Shia politician that the country should be split into regions based on sect and ethnicity. Ammar Hakim, son of Abdul Aziz al-Hakim, the leader of the Supreme Islamic Iraqi Council (SIIC), said that dividing the country is "an Iraqi interest, wish and decision". Responding to his comments, Sadr's spokesman in Najaf said on Sunday that his group’s opposition to federalism "is firm and has not been changed".
Sheikh Saleh al-Obeidi, Sadr's spokesman, said: "After the US Congress voted to divide Iraq, it is clear that insisting on applying federalism in the current tragic Iraqi situation is a flirtation with the [non-binding] US Congress resolution [calling for a transfer of power to three self-governing regions - or Shiites, Sunnis and Kurds]. "The SIIC is one of the largest parties in the Iraqi parliament and a key supporter of Nuri al-Maliki, the prime minister.
On October 6, Sadr and al-Hakim agreed their respective militias stop attacking each other. Meanwhile, political differences still remain and al-Hakim has argued in the past for uniting the nine Shia-majority provinces in southern Iraq. The US Congress resolution, sponsored by Senator Joseph Biden, was dismissed by Maliki, who called it an infringement on Iraqi sovereignty even though it was backed by the government in the northern Kurdish region.
Sheikh Saleh al-Obeidi, Sadr's spokesman, said: "After the US Congress voted to divide Iraq, it is clear that insisting on applying federalism in the current tragic Iraqi situation is a flirtation with the [non-binding] US Congress resolution [calling for a transfer of power to three self-governing regions - or Shiites, Sunnis and Kurds]. "The SIIC is one of the largest parties in the Iraqi parliament and a key supporter of Nuri al-Maliki, the prime minister.
On October 6, Sadr and al-Hakim agreed their respective militias stop attacking each other. Meanwhile, political differences still remain and al-Hakim has argued in the past for uniting the nine Shia-majority provinces in southern Iraq. The US Congress resolution, sponsored by Senator Joseph Biden, was dismissed by Maliki, who called it an infringement on Iraqi sovereignty even though it was backed by the government in the northern Kurdish region.
However, the principle of federalism is included in the Iraqi constitution. But Sunni Arabs, who form an estimated 20 per cent of the population and are largely located in central, resource-poor parts of the country, are also against federalism, fearing it would deprive them of oil wealth.
Labels: Ammar al-Hakim, federalism, Moqtada Al-Sadr, partition, Sheikh Saleh al-Obeidi, SIIC
Shiite leader in visit to Al Anbar
Politics
(Gulf News) - In a major reconciliatory gesture, a leader from Iraq's largest Shiite party has paid a rare visit to the Sunni Anbar province, delivering a message of unity to tribal shaikhs who have staged a US-backed revolt against Al Qaida militants. The leader of parliament's largest Sunni Arab bloc, Adnan Al Dulaimi, welcomed Ammar Al Hakim's visit to Anbar on Sunday as a "good initiative", saying Shiite-Sunni reconciliation was a goal cherished by his once-dominant Sunni Arab minority.
"This is what we hope, and we pray to Allah for," Al Dulaimi, whose three-party alliance has 44 of parliament's 275 seats, said yesterday. "We pray to God to make our Shiite brothers ... give us our due rights and not monopolise power." Al Hakim's visit to Anbar was the latest sign that key Iraqi politicians may be working toward reconciliation independently of Prime Minister Nouri Al Maliki's government, which has faced criticism for doing little to bring together Iraq's Shiites, Kurds and Sunnis.
Sunni Arab Vice-President Tariq Al Hashemi visited Grand Ayatollah Ali Al Sistani, Iraq's top Shiite cleric, last month at Najaf south of Baghdad. The visit amounted to an unprecedented Sunni Arab endorsement of Al Sistani's role as the nation's guardian. Al Hashemi's Iraqi Islamic Party also has been distancing itself from militant Sunni Arab groups and has in recent months forged closer ties with Al Hakim's Supreme Islamic Iraqi Council, the country's largest Shiite party, and the two major Kurdish parties.
Al Hakim, son and heir apparent of Iraq's top Shiite politician, struck a note of national unity in Anbar. "Iraq does not belong to the Sunnis or the Shiites alone; nor does it belong to the Arabs or the Kurds and Turkomen," Al Hakim told his hosts in the provincial capital Ramadi, about 115km west of Baghdad. "Today, we must stand up and declare that Iraq is for all Iraqis." He stood next to the leader of the Anbar movement, Ahmad Abu Risha.
"This is what we hope, and we pray to Allah for," Al Dulaimi, whose three-party alliance has 44 of parliament's 275 seats, said yesterday. "We pray to God to make our Shiite brothers ... give us our due rights and not monopolise power." Al Hakim's visit to Anbar was the latest sign that key Iraqi politicians may be working toward reconciliation independently of Prime Minister Nouri Al Maliki's government, which has faced criticism for doing little to bring together Iraq's Shiites, Kurds and Sunnis.
Sunni Arab Vice-President Tariq Al Hashemi visited Grand Ayatollah Ali Al Sistani, Iraq's top Shiite cleric, last month at Najaf south of Baghdad. The visit amounted to an unprecedented Sunni Arab endorsement of Al Sistani's role as the nation's guardian. Al Hashemi's Iraqi Islamic Party also has been distancing itself from militant Sunni Arab groups and has in recent months forged closer ties with Al Hakim's Supreme Islamic Iraqi Council, the country's largest Shiite party, and the two major Kurdish parties.
Al Hakim, son and heir apparent of Iraq's top Shiite politician, struck a note of national unity in Anbar. "Iraq does not belong to the Sunnis or the Shiites alone; nor does it belong to the Arabs or the Kurds and Turkomen," Al Hakim told his hosts in the provincial capital Ramadi, about 115km west of Baghdad. "Today, we must stand up and declare that Iraq is for all Iraqis." He stood next to the leader of the Anbar movement, Ahmad Abu Risha.
Labels: Adnan al-Dulaimi, Ahmad Abu Risha, Al Anbar, Ammar al-Hakim, Iraqi Islamic Party, tribal leaders
Friday, May 25, 2007
Shura Council in charge while al-Hakim receives treatment
Politics
(RFE/RL) - Hamid Ma'lah, a spokesman for the Supreme Islamic Iraqi Council (SIIC), told Al-Sharqiyah television on May 22 that the party's Shura Council is running the affairs of the party in the absence of Abd al-Aziz al-Hakim, who is in Tehran for cancer treatment. "At present, we have the SIIC's Central Shura committee, which regularly holds meetings to run SIIC affairs. There is no big administrative problem because we have institutions, which are headed by officials, and the SIIC has a central Shura committee that draws the broad outlines of the [party's] work. Work continues as usual," Ma'lah said. He added that if an important matter arises, the party will consult al-Hakim via telephone. Al-Hakim's son, Ammar, who heads the party's Badr Organization, told London-based "Al-Sharq al-Awsat" that it is unlikely he will assume his father's position as head of SIIC in the elder's absence, the daily reported on May 22.
Labels: Abdul Aziz Al Hakim, Ammar al-Hakim, Hamid Ma'lah, Shura Council, SIIC, Supreme Islamic Iraqi Council
Saturday, April 21, 2007
Islamic State in Iraq claims Ammar al-Hakim assassination attempt
Security, Politics
(Reuters) - A group linked to al Qaeda on Saturday claimed responsibility for attacking the convoy of the son of powerful Iraqi Shi'ite politician Abdul-Aziz al-Hakim in southern Baghdad, according to an Internet statement. Six bodyguards were injured in Thursday's attack on the convoy of Ammar al-Hakim, which his father's office had said was not an attack on him personally.
"By the strength of God, an attack with light and medium weapons and rocket propelled grenades was launched on the convoy," the staunchly Sunni self-styled Islamic State in Iraq said in a statement on the Internet. It called Ammar al-Hakim a villain and Iranian infidel. "He was very close to being killed," the group added.
Abdul-Aziz al-Hakim is leader of the Supreme Council for the Islamic Revolution in Iraq (SCIRI), the biggest party in Shi'ite Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki's national unity cabinet. Ammar al-Hakim also holds positions in SCIRI. The party had said that Ammar al-Hakim's convoy was fired on as it was travelling in the southern Baghdad district of Doura after leaving the southern holy Shi'ite city of Najaf. In February, U.S. troops detained Ammar Hakim for several hours near the Iranian border, sparking protests in Shi'ite cities. He was later freed.
"By the strength of God, an attack with light and medium weapons and rocket propelled grenades was launched on the convoy," the staunchly Sunni self-styled Islamic State in Iraq said in a statement on the Internet. It called Ammar al-Hakim a villain and Iranian infidel. "He was very close to being killed," the group added.
Abdul-Aziz al-Hakim is leader of the Supreme Council for the Islamic Revolution in Iraq (SCIRI), the biggest party in Shi'ite Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki's national unity cabinet. Ammar al-Hakim also holds positions in SCIRI. The party had said that Ammar al-Hakim's convoy was fired on as it was travelling in the southern Baghdad district of Doura after leaving the southern holy Shi'ite city of Najaf. In February, U.S. troops detained Ammar Hakim for several hours near the Iranian border, sparking protests in Shi'ite cities. He was later freed.
Labels: Abdul Aziz Al Hakim, Ammar al-Hakim, Islamic State in Iraq, SCIRI
Friday, April 20, 2007
Al-Hakim's son attacked
Politics, Security
(AFP) - The son of prominent Iraqi Shiite leader Abdel Aziz al-Hakim came under attack in a town south of Baghdad in which six of his security personnel were wounded, officials said Friday. Ammar al-Hakim, himself a well-known cleric and politician, was on his way to Baghdad from the Shiite holy city of Najaf when gunmen fired on his convoy as it passed the town of Latifiyah, Najaf provincial spokesman Ahmed Duaibl said.
"The convoy came under attack in Latifiyah. It was fired at from a distance," he told AFP, adding that it may have been an opportunistic attack on an official-looking motorcade rather than a planned assassination bid. An official from Hakim's office said four police escorts and two of his personal bodyguards were wounded in the attack. Hakim escaped unhurt, the source added, speaking on condition of anonymity.
Latifiyah, located in a region south of Baghdad dubbed the triangle of death, is notorious for such attacks as armed gangs randomly fire on passing convoys. Hakim senior heads the Supreme Council of the Islamic Revolution in Iraq (SCIRI), a Shiite former rebel group that is one of the leading factions in Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki's governing coalition. The Shiite faithful consider both men to be sayyids, or descendants of the Prophet Mohammed. Their party was founded in exile in Iran and retains links to the Tehran government.
In February, US troops detained Ammar al-Hakim for several hours after his convoy crossed back into Iraq from Iran, accusing him and his guards of behaving suspiciously during a search of their vehicles. The arrest triggered SCIRI-sponsored street protests and he was released.
"The convoy came under attack in Latifiyah. It was fired at from a distance," he told AFP, adding that it may have been an opportunistic attack on an official-looking motorcade rather than a planned assassination bid. An official from Hakim's office said four police escorts and two of his personal bodyguards were wounded in the attack. Hakim escaped unhurt, the source added, speaking on condition of anonymity.
Latifiyah, located in a region south of Baghdad dubbed the triangle of death, is notorious for such attacks as armed gangs randomly fire on passing convoys. Hakim senior heads the Supreme Council of the Islamic Revolution in Iraq (SCIRI), a Shiite former rebel group that is one of the leading factions in Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki's governing coalition. The Shiite faithful consider both men to be sayyids, or descendants of the Prophet Mohammed. Their party was founded in exile in Iran and retains links to the Tehran government.
In February, US troops detained Ammar al-Hakim for several hours after his convoy crossed back into Iraq from Iran, accusing him and his guards of behaving suspiciously during a search of their vehicles. The arrest triggered SCIRI-sponsored street protests and he was released.
Labels: Abdul-Aziz al-Hakim, Ammar al-Hakim, gunmen, Latifiyah
Sunday, March 18, 2007
Ammar al-Hakim - U.S. military powers in Iraq should be curtailed
Politics, Security
(Gulf News) An influential Shiite cleric whose arrest last month by US troops sparked protests said yesterday the powers of the US military in Iraq should be curtailed since they infringed on his country's sovereignty. Ammar Al Hakim, son of Abdul Aziz Al Hakim, one of Iraq's most powerful Shiite leaders, was speaking at a rally in Najaf.
"We should have a security agreement that defines the authority of each party. [US-led] forces cannot have outright powers because this affects our sovereignty," he declared. Al Hakim also called for the release of all prisoners detained in Iraq who have no evidence against them. "We ask for the speedy release of all prisoners that do not have evidence against them. Keeping thousands in detention is unacceptable."
"We should have a security agreement that defines the authority of each party. [US-led] forces cannot have outright powers because this affects our sovereignty," he declared. Al Hakim also called for the release of all prisoners detained in Iraq who have no evidence against them. "We ask for the speedy release of all prisoners that do not have evidence against them. Keeping thousands in detention is unacceptable."
Labels: Ammar al-Hakim, U.S. military
Saturday, February 24, 2007
Mass protest over arrest of SCIRI leader's son
Politics, Security
(Reuters) Iraqis took to the streets of Shi'ite towns and cities on Saturday to protest over the detention by U.S. troops of the eldest son of Abdul-Aziz al-Hakim, one of Iraq's most powerful Shi'ite leaders. There were no reports of violence. The U.S. military said Ammar al-Hakim was held on Friday because members of his convoy were acting suspiciously at a border checkpoint while returning from Iran.
The incident could strain good ties between Washington and the elder Hakim's Supreme Council for the Islamic Revolution in Iraq (SCIRI), the dominant party in the Shi'ite-led government. SCIRI supporters held protests in Najaf, Kerbala, Basra, Kut and other towns in the mainly Shi'ite south of Iraq, witnesses and local media said.
The incident could strain good ties between Washington and the elder Hakim's Supreme Council for the Islamic Revolution in Iraq (SCIRI), the dominant party in the Shi'ite-led government. SCIRI supporters held protests in Najaf, Kerbala, Basra, Kut and other towns in the mainly Shi'ite south of Iraq, witnesses and local media said.
Ammar al-Hakim told reporters on Friday U.S. troops said his passport had expired. He said the document was valid. "The way I was arrested was disrespectful and not appropriate for a political and religious figure like me. They cuffed my hands and blindfolded my eyes. They raised their weapons against me," he said after his release. Hakim was released within hours and U.S. ambassador Zalmay Khalilzad sought to contain any political fallout by saying on Friday "we do not mean any disrespect" to the family.
Labels: Abdul-Aziz al-Hakim, Ammar al-Hakim, Iran-Iraq border, SCIRI
