BAGHDAD (Dispatches) – A months-long political crisis in Iraq showed little sign of abating Wednesday despite a fresh push for negotiations after nearly 24 hours of deadly violence between rival factions ended.
The highly-secured Green Zone in Baghdad returned to normality after 30 people were killed and 570 wounded in the clashes pitting supporters of powerful cleric Moqtada Sadr against rival factions.
Since elections in October last year, political deadlock has left Iraq without a new government, prime minister or president, due to disagreement over the formation of a coalition.
The tensions escalated sharply on Monday when Sadr loyalists stormed the government palace inside the Green Zone following their leader’s announcement that he was quitting politics.
The leader of Iraq’s Asa’ib Ahl al-Haq resistance group has called for the quick formation of a new government aimed at ending the political stalemate and leadership vacuum.
On Wednesday, Qais al-Khazali hailed the restoration of calm in Iraq following days of unrest, praised the wisdom shown by all sides and demanded measures to accelerate the formation of the government as soon as possible.
“Popular Mobilization Units – better known as Hashd al-Sha’abi – once again proved their role as the guarantor of national security and saved the country,” the senior Iraqi politician said in a statement.
The secretary general of Asa’ib Ahl al-Haq also underlined the need to hold accountable all those who violated the law, as well as those who fired shots at Iraqi security forces.
“Parliament must convene and form the new government according to the Constitution. The status quo is very critical, because the legislature remains closed and the government has fallen apart... The commander-in-chief of the armed forces [outgoing Prime Minister Mustafa al-Kadhimi] has also failed to fulfill his duty in maintaining security and stability,” Khazali pointed out.
Prime Minister al-Kadhimi threatened to step down if the country remained inside the political imbroglio that has left the country incapable of forming a new government.
Speaking on Tuesday, Kadhimi said he could “vacate his post” in protest at the political uncertainty, asserting, “Enough of the duplicity of state and non-state [actors].”
Kadhimi said a commission of inquiry had been formed to probe the origin of the weapons that was used in recent clashes.