Iraq Is Facing a Potential Security Crisis

TEHRAN (Defapress) - According to Iraq Observer, Mahmoud al-Mashhadani, the Speaker of Iraq’s Council of Representatives, warned in a televised interview that the country faces a potential security crisis, and any security collapse in Baghdad would immediately spread to other provinces.

Al-Mashhadani also indicated the possibility of public protests next month, which could push the country toward the option of an "emergency government."

The Speaker of Iraq’s Council of Representatives stated that Muqtada al-Sadr’s withdrawal from politics is a real alarm bell and revealed that Masoud Barzani, the head of the Kurdistan Democratic Party, is also seriously considering leaving politics.

He emphasized that he himself will withdraw from politics only when the last innocent prisoner is released.

Regarding the controversy over the Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF) law, al-Mashhadani disclosed that U.S. pressure and threats have prevented the law from being presented in parliament. He stated that the U.S. has explicitly informed all political leaders of its opposition to restructuring the PMF and prefers integrating these forces into the army.

The Speaker of Iraq’s Council of Representatives said that some are attempting to remove Falih al-Fayyadh from his position under the PMF retirement law.

He added that this law not only fails to increase the salaries of the forces but may also create administrative and legislative chaos.

Al-Mashhadani described the current parliamentary term as "disappointing," stating that three years of the parliament’s term have been wasted in conflicts and divisions, while the general amnesty and election laws have created complex challenges for the council.

On regional relations, the Speaker of Iraq’s Council of Representatives said that Israel views Iraq as an obstacle to normalization and stressed that Tel Aviv has discussed the Zionist regime’s "David’s Path" project with the Turkish side, a project that threatens the interests of Iraq and regional countries.

In conclusion, referring to the "absence of the Sadrist movement’s voice" in parliament, he stated that Muqtada al-Sadr’s positions are not open to democratic dialogue. He added that the absence of Sadrists in parliament is noticeable and that the withdrawal of Kurds from the political process would have severe consequences.