#Iraq: Abu Mahdi al-Mihandis, 2nd man in the Popular Mobilization Forces & Gen. Qasim Soleimani, Commabder of Iran’s Quds Force, were killed in a US military operation.
This took the recent US-Iran conflict to another level, putting Iraq in the heart of the fight. (1)
This took the recent US-Iran conflict to another level, putting Iraq in the heart of the fight. (1)
#Iraq’s national leaders hoped to avoid having their country being theater of US-Iran conflict.
Three reactions to watch for in the next few hours:
Iraqi PM Adil Abd al-Mahdi, Muqtada al-Sadr, Sistani’s Friday message in the coming few hours, & of course Iran’s statement. (2)
Three reactions to watch for in the next few hours:
Iraqi PM Adil Abd al-Mahdi, Muqtada al-Sadr, Sistani’s Friday message in the coming few hours, & of course Iran’s statement. (2)
The Iraqi Govt. will try to contain the consequences of this event, which is perhaps the most consequential event in Iraq after the US invasion of Iraq.
But the main challenge will be the armed groups that aren’t controlled by #Iraq’s Commander-in-Chief. (3)
But the main challenge will be the armed groups that aren’t controlled by #Iraq’s Commander-in-Chief. (3)
In the short term, this event will force all Americans, especially businesses & travelers, out of Iraq for safety’s purposes.
Iraq’s govt. is at its weakest time, since the PM’s resignation. They will not be in a position to do much for or against either side in the dispute. (4)
Iraq’s govt. is at its weakest time, since the PM’s resignation. They will not be in a position to do much for or against either side in the dispute. (4)
This event will also have a direct effect on the demonstrators at Tahrir Square & othe Iraqi provinces, whose calls for reform & Iraqi independence (especially from Iran’s influence) will take a back seat. (5)
Armed groups that were part of the insurgency prior to 2011 will return to their original role.
They will initially hold the Iraqi government hostage to their demand for formally requesting the US to leave #Iraq. A move, if it happens, will give them pretext to use violence. (6)
They will initially hold the Iraqi government hostage to their demand for formally requesting the US to leave #Iraq. A move, if it happens, will give them pretext to use violence. (6)
Asian markets already showed an immediate 4% rise in #oil prices. Expect much higher prices if an immediate Iranian reaction takes place in the coming days. (7)
All the hopes that this development will not lead to a knee-jerk reaction from non-state actors in #Iraq that will lead to an endless series of death and destruction in the country and deny Iraq stability for years to come. (8)
After the killing of al-Muhandis & Soleimani, Kata’ib Hizbollah announced they will publish the name & home address of every member of Parliament who opposes expelling US forces from #Iraq.
This indicates that Iran & its Iraqi allies will target Iraqi friends of the US. (9)
This indicates that Iran & its Iraqi allies will target Iraqi friends of the US. (9)
The killing of #Soleimani is a powerful US blow to #Iran.
To put it in perspective, Gen. Soleimani is regionally equally, if not more, important as Iran’s Foreign Minister. (10)
To put it in perspective, Gen. Soleimani is regionally equally, if not more, important as Iran’s Foreign Minister. (10)
I must note this:
While all TV stations are having live coverage of the killing of al-Muhandis and #Soleimani, an event that may re-shape the future of #Iraq, the official Iraqi TV is running a report on the old spices market in #Mosul. (11)
While all TV stations are having live coverage of the killing of al-Muhandis and #Soleimani, an event that may re-shape the future of #Iraq, the official Iraqi TV is running a report on the old spices market in #Mosul. (11)
UPDATE:
Sayid Moqtada al-Sadr issued a statement offering condolences to Iran & calling for all to maintain wisdom.
His statement concluded with orders to Jaish al-Mahdi & Liwa’ al-Yawm al-Maw’oud to be “fully ready to protect Iraq.” (12)
Sayid Moqtada al-Sadr issued a statement offering condolences to Iran & calling for all to maintain wisdom.
His statement concluded with orders to Jaish al-Mahdi & Liwa’ al-Yawm al-Maw’oud to be “fully ready to protect Iraq.” (12)
Al-Sadr’s statement did not mention Saraya al-Salam, his armed force which he kept active in the ast years & took part in the anti-ISIS fight.
Therefore, al-Sadr effectively re-instated the Mahdi Army & Liwa’ al-Yawm al-Maw’oud, which he froze in the past. (13)
Therefore, al-Sadr effectively re-instated the Mahdi Army & Liwa’ al-Yawm al-Maw’oud, which he froze in the past. (13)
#Iraq’s PM Adil Abd al-Mahdi:
“The Assassination is a clear violation of he conditions of the presence of US forces in Iraq.” He called it “an aggression against Iraq, people & state.”
PM Abd al-Mahdi called for an emergency session by the Parliament. (14)
“The Assassination is a clear violation of he conditions of the presence of US forces in Iraq.” He called it “an aggression against Iraq, people & state.”
PM Abd al-Mahdi called for an emergency session by the Parliament. (14)
#Iraq PM Abd al-Mahdi: “the role of US for es in Iraq is to train the Iraqi security forces and to fight ISIS under the supervision of the Iraqi government.” (15)
PM Abd al-Mahdi call on The Parliament to take the proper measures to protect #Iraq’s security & dignity”.
Translation: (a) possibly a vote to expel US forces or canonize the rules of their operations in Iraq. (b) throwing the ball in Parliament’s court. (16)
Translation: (a) possibly a vote to expel US forces or canonize the rules of their operations in Iraq. (b) throwing the ball in Parliament’s court. (16)
Most important point to consider here is that PM Abd Al-Mahdi has already resigned & in his age, he has no firther political aspiration. He lost most of his legacy in the past two months. His position on this issue can be a back-door to salvage some of it. (17)
Just in:
1st. Deputy Speaker of Parliament MP Hassan al-Ka’bi calls for an emergency session on Saturday to address the US military operation that targeted Al-Muhandis & Gen. Soleimani. (18)
1st. Deputy Speaker of Parliament MP Hassan al-Ka’bi calls for an emergency session on Saturday to address the US military operation that targeted Al-Muhandis & Gen. Soleimani. (18)
As I predicted, in tweet # 4 of this thread, the US Embassy is ordering IS citizens to leave #Iraq “immediately”. Iraq will not be safe for Americans for an extended period from now. (19)
iq.usembassy.gov/security-alert…
iq.usembassy.gov/security-alert…
Grand Ayatollah #Sistani's short statement read from Karbala, called the US attack a brazen aggression on Iraqi sovereignty, praising those who were killed as "heroes in the anti-terror fight". after condemning the earlier attack on the PMF. (21)
UPDATE: another attack on PMF medical crew near Taji (northern #Baghdad). Initial reports that PMF leaders were killed had been denied.
Also, the US-led Coalition denied it conducted any operations in that area.
Who did it, at this critical time & why?!
Also, the US-led Coalition denied it conducted any operations in that area.
Who did it, at this critical time & why?!
This press release from #KRG President @IKRPresident shows agreement between the @KRG & the federal Government of #Iraq on the recent developments in the US-#Iran conflict. (24)
president.gov.krd/en/a-statement…
president.gov.krd/en/a-statement…
The @UN_Spokesperson on the latest #Iraq news:
“The world cannot afford another war in the Gulf.”
You got that right! (25)
“The world cannot afford another war in the Gulf.”
You got that right! (25)
