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Political rift widens between Iraq's prime minister and Sadrists

April 12, 2014 at 10:25 am

The political rift between Iraq’s Prime Minister Nouri Al-Maliki and the Sadrist movement led by Muqtada Al-Sadr has widened in recent days.

Al-Maliki, who has been trying to calm the security situation in the Anbar province, faces a wave of protests from supporters of the Sadrist movement over his remarks against the movement’s leader, Muqtada Al-Sadr, which could weaken his position during the elections.


Sources close to the Sadrist leader believed he might return to political life amid calls from his supporters to put an end to Al-Maliki’s intransigence.

Hundreds of Al-Sadr’s supporters in Baghdad, Najaf, Basra and Maysan denounced the premier’s remarks against the Shia leader.

Iraq’s Al-Ahrah (Liberal) bloc criticised the prime minister’s remarks against the Sadrist movement leader saying Al-Maliki is trying to cover up for his personal failures to run the state and calm the security situation in the Anbar province.

Al-Ahrar’s spokesperson Aqeel Abdul-Hussein said Al-Maliki’s remarks against Al-Sadr reveal his political failures and an attempt to blame others for the country’s economic crisis.

Basra deputy governor; Mohammed Taher Al-Tamimi said Al-Maliki’s recent remarks will not hinder the bloc’s efforts to build Iraq.

Al-Maliki responded to earlier remarks by Al-Sadr who described him as a tyrant and dictator saying Al-Sadr is a man who lacks political expertise and thus cannot be held responsible for what he says.

Al-Sadr criticised Al-Maliki in a televised speech last month saying his unjust policy aimed at enabling him to control Iraq’s wealth and violate the Iraqi’s rights.

Sadr City, a Sadrists stronghold, has witnessed a large number of demonstrations against Prime Minister Nouri Al-Maliki. Clan members, academics, clergy and students took part in the protests chanting slogans denouncing Al-Maliki’s comments.