Iraq's prime minister with Iran-backed PMF during Ashura

Following success at the Battle of Baiji, Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi (R2) observed Day of Ashura with participating Iran-backed Popular Mobilzation Forces members, including Iran-backed Badr President Hadi Al-Amiri (L3) and Iran-backed PMF Director Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis (L4)

Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi among Iran-backed PMF leaders during Day of Ashura, following success at Battle of Baiji.

Among audience of Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi and Iran-backed PMF leaders, members of PMF following success at Battle of Baiji.

Iraq Defends Intelligence Sharing with Russia, Syria, Iran

Iraq’s Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi said Baghdad needs to share intelligence with other countries, including Russia, Syria and Iran, in order to defeat the Islamic State. He made the comments today in a televised speech aired before his departure to attend the UN General Assembly. Abadi added that Iraq welcomes Russia’s “recent interest” in battling ISIL. (AP, 28 September)

Abadi said he will continue to work closely with the U.S.-led coalition, saying Iraq needs “all the world’s intelligence” and efforts against the Islamic State.

File photo: Iraq’s Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi (blogs.lse.ac.uk)

Sistani Questions Soleimani’s Intervention in Iraqi Politics - Report

Ashaq Alawsat reported Monday that Grand Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani had sent a message to Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei criticizing Quds Force Commander Gen. Qasem Soleimani’s role in Iraqi politics. The report said Sistani questioned Khamenei “whether (Soleimani’s interventions in Iraqi politics) had happened under Khamenei’s instruction or through Soleimani’s own independent actions.” (Ashaq Alawsat/Now, 7 September)

In late August, Gen. Soleimani appeared at a meeting of Iraqi National Alliance parliamentary coalition of Shia parties, reportedly criticizing Prime Minister Haidar al-Abadi’s proposed reforms, especially Abadi’s plans to sack former PM Nouri al-Maliki. The meeting ended with an acrimonious exchange between Soleimani and Abadi. Ashaq Alawsat had reported on 26 August that Abadi “objected strongly” when Soleimani criticized the reforms he was pushing through parliament.

Sistani’s frustration over Soleimani’s role in Iraq manifests differences between Najaf clerical establishment and the Islamic Republic. Sistani has forcefully defended Abadi’s reform proposals and Soleimani’s public criticism of the reforms, in a meeting attended by the prime minister and over 70 Shia MPs, has broken protocols of public deference to Sistani, Iraqi Shia spiritual leader, which could affect Najaf’s historic role.

Among recent differences between Sistani and the Iranians is Sistani’s insistence that fighting corruption is a religious and legal duty of all Shias, including the trial of Maliki if needed. Soleimani's, and probably Khamenei's, approach to Abadi’s reform focuses on the political dimensions of the issue, thinking holding to account of corrupt figures, i.e. Maliki, would undermine Shia power in the country.

After a report by the Iraqi parliament on 17 August blamed Maliki and top commanders for the fall of Mosul to ISIL last year, Iran extended Maliki a show of support, hosting him for a visit to Tehran on 19 August, two days after the parliamentary report. During his visit, Maliki met with Khamenei, with photos of the event widely published by the media.

Photo credit: Portrait of Grand Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani, Iraq’s Shia spiritual leader (Ahmad al-Rubaya/AFP)

Sistani: Iraq Could Face ‘Partition’ without Reform

Grand Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani, the spiritual leader of Iraqi Shias, warned on Thursday that Iraq could face “partition” and other dire consequences if real reform is not carried out.

“Today, if true reform is not realized by fighting corruption without mercy and realizing social justice on different levels, it is expected that circumstances will become worst that before, Sistani said in a written statement. “(Iraq) could be dragged to… partition and the like, God forbid.” (AFP, 20 August)

Without rampant corruption, especially in the security forces, and misuse of power by top officials, “the Daesh terrorist organization would not have been able to control a large part of the territory of Iraq,” Sistani added, using an Arabic acronym for ISIL.

Many Iraqi politicians, Sistani said, “did not take the overall interests of the Iraqi people into consideration, and were instead concerned with their personal interests, and factional, sectarian and ethnic concerns.” (AFP, 20 August)

Even with popular support and Grand Ayatollah Sistani’s backing, the entrenched nature of corruption and the fact parties across the political spectrum benefit from it make changes recently proposed by Prime Minister Abadi extremely difficult, AFP said.

File photo: Grand Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani, the spiritual leader of Iraqi Shias (AFP)

Iraq PM Calls for Reforms

Reacting to Popular Protests

 

Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi today announced a wide-ranging government reform plan only two days after massive anti-corruption protests took place in Baghdad, Basra, and other cities. The cabinet immediately approved the plan, which is sent to the parliament for final approval. The list of reforms, published in prime minister’s Facebook page today, includes the following: (World Press, 9 August)

• Dissolving the positions of Vice Presidents and Deputy Prime Ministers immediately. (Note: this line item would involve sacking of Nouri al-Maliki and others.)

• Establishment of a High Commission to fight corruption and reopen old and current corruption cases; as well as appointing judges to oversee those cases.

• Reassigning all security forces to the Ministry of Defense to be trained to defend the country’s frontiers.

• Rescinding of all (sectarian and party) quotas allocated to high government positions. The PM will form a committee to oversee the sacking of unqualified personnel and their merit-based replacement.

• Merging ministries and institutions to raise efficiency and cut costs.

Photo credit: Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi (World Press)

Iraqi Prime Minister, Army Chief of Staff and PMF leader in Tehran

Commentary on Iran media imagery depicting Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi's state visit to Tehran on 17JUN15:

Iraqi prime minister delegation arrived at Tehran -Mehrabad International Airport on 17JUN15 at 07:55 hrs. They would depart for Baghdad International Airport same day, at 17:44 hrs.

Aircraft is Iraqi Airways Being 737-81Z, reg. YI-ASF (cn 40105), a recent construction delivered to Iraq on 17DEC13.

Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi reviews Iranian honor guard, with Iranian First Vice President Eshaq Jahangiri. Ground transport for the prime minister appears to be late model Mercedes-Benz S-class.

Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi meets with Iran Navy Rear Admiral Ali Shamkhani, secretary of the Supreme National Security Council of Iran. It should be noted Shamkhani held a previous post as IRGC-N commander.

The Iraqi prime minister appears much more cordial with his hosts then on his previous visit to Tehran, which took place not long after he was selected for his post based primarily on American preferences at the time.

The Iraqi prime minister's visit came the same day that USSECDEF Ash Carter told a congressional hearing the United States called for a "greater commitment" from Iraq's government in the fight against ISIL, as it lamented Baghdad's failure to deliver enough soldiers for training and underscored the need to empower Sunni tribesmen.

Meanwhile, Iraq’s Speaker of Parliament Salim al-Jabouri is in the United States to rally military support for Sunni forces, seeking assistance with arming a Sunni force to include up to 10,000 recruits from local tribes and other groups.

Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi gestures approvingly towards Iraqi Deputy Chairman of Popular Mobilization Committee Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis, as the latter shakes hands with Iranian Presdient Hassan Rouhani.

Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis is a PMF field commander and former Kata'ib Hezbollah commander, more recently participating in the Second Battle of Tikrit. He remains designated a terrorist by USG for armed resistance activities directed against the preceding U.S. military occupation, and before that was assisted by IRGC in efforts targeting the Baath regime of Saddam Hussein.

Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi meets with Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Hosseini Khamenei

Among those seated in the room with SL Khamenei and PM Abadi is General Babakir Zebari, chief of staff of the Iraqi Army (outfitted in civvies, fourth from left).

General Zebari, an ethnic Kurd, spent a period of exile in Iran some thirty years ago, followed by periods of Iranian-assisted efforts against Saddam Hussein and Baath regime.

A seldom seen expand view of hall where Iranian Supreme Leader Khamenei appears photographed with visiting foreign dignitaries.

Photos: Islamic Republic News Agency

Abadi in Tehran

Khameni Blames Foreigners for Iraqi Conflict

Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi visited Tehran today and met with Iran’s supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.

The Iranian leader blamed foreigners for the conflict in Iraq, saying Western intelligence agencies wanted to destroy the pillars of Iraq’s political and national unity.

“One should vigilantly and carefully stand against (Western intelligence agencies) plot and divisive attempt and not allow the unity among the Shia and Sunni and Kurd and Arab to be damaged,” Khamenei told al-Abadi. (Press TV, 17 June)

“The Americans on the one hand are seeking to plunder Iraq’s wealth as they o in some other countries in the region and on the other hand impose their demands [on Iraq] as before. However, one should not allow this objective to be realized,” Khamenei added.

Blaming foreigners for national disasters, like what’s happening in Iraq, has been the norm in the region, a convenient way to explain away internal problems. Khamenei’s comments today on Iraq, however, raise that practice to new heights.

Photo credit: Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei meeting with the visiting Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi in Tehran; 17 June 2015 (IRNA)

U.S. to Send More Troops to Iraq

President Obama has authorized the deployment of up to 450 additional U.S. military personnel to train, advise, and assist Iraqi Security Forces at Taqaddum military base in eastern Anbar province. The president made the decision after a request from Prime Minister Al-Abadi of Iraq. These additional U.S. troops will augment the 3,100 troops who have already been deployed to Iraq.

Obama has also directed the expedited delivery of equipment and materiel to Iraqi forces, including the Peshmerga and Sunni tribal fighters. The deliveries will be coordinated with the central government in Baghdad.

ISIL Captures Government Compound in Ramadi

ISIL today seized the main government compound in the center of Ramadi and raised its flag over the central building. Iraqi security forces are reportedly remaining only in a few pockets in the city. The city, however, is still contested. There has been a flurry of U.S.-led airstrikes on ISIL positions in last several hours. Meanwhile, Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi said in a televised address that security forces “will retake Ramadi in the next few hours.”

Capture of the government compound and the city center is a huge victory for ISIL. The fall of Ramadi, the capital of Anbar, will be their biggest victory in Iraq since they captured Mosul nearly a year ago.

Photo credit: ISIL flags at government compound in the center of Ramadi, Iraq; 15 May 2015 (AJE)

Prime Minister Abadi's trip to Washington DC aboard Boeing 777

Iraqi Prime Minister Abadi departs Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA / KDCA) at approx. 02:35 on 17APR15. Destination: Baghdad International Airport (BGW / ORBI)

Aircraft is Iraqi Airways Boeing 777-29M/LR, reg. YI-AQZ (cn 40993/1006). Aircraft is three years old, with original delivery taking place on 14DEC12.

Prime Minister Abadi says Iraq needs tanks

Better times: Iraqi Army receives last five M1A1 tanks in 2011 from its batch order of 140

Photo: Staff Sgt. Edward Daileg, 305th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment

According to Reuters:

"Arms, we need them all. If they [the United States] can supply us with heavy weapons, with tanks, we need them badly," Abadi told a small group of reporters ahead of talks with U.S. Defense Secretary Ash Carter.

Asked about when Baghdad would pay: "Iraq can pay for it later, not now... I think there can be an arrangement for deferred payment."

COMMENTARY: Photos below emerged 15APR15 on social media, of ISIL posing before knocked out Iraqi Army tanks during attacks in the vicinity of Baiji oil refinery:

Knocked out Iraqi Army M1A1M main battle tank near Baiji oil refinery. Turret unit marking obscured. 

Knocked out Iraqi Army T-72M main battle tank. Note U.S.-origin assault rifle leaning against starboard track. Burn seen in the distance.

COMMENTARY: In the opinion of this writer, an unfortunate consequence of the command dispute during the final phase of the Battle of Tikrit is the enabling of ISIL again resuming the initiative, at Baiji and Ramadi. In marked contrast, scenes such as those above were not to be seen during the recent Salahaddin campaign.

Compounding this adverse turn of events, the New York Times reported the following:

The dueling Iraqi and Saudi narratives began when Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi of Iraq, who this week is making his first official visit to Washington, spoke early in the day to a small group of reporters at Blair House, the White House guest residence for visiting dignitaries. He said the Saudi campaign and the fighting in Yemen had created huge humanitarian problems.

“There is no logic to the operation at all in the first place,” Mr. Abadi said. “Mainly, the problem of Yemen is within Yemen.”

“They want to stop this conflict as soon as possible,” Mr. Abadi said. “What I understand from the [Obama] administration, the Saudis are not helpful on this. They don’t want a cease-fire now.”

“The dangerous thing is we don’t know what the Saudis want to do after this,” Mr. Abadi said. “Is Iraq within their radar? That’s very, very dangerous. The idea that you intervene in another state unprovoked just for regional ambition is wrong. Saddam has done it before. See what it has done to the country.”

COMMENTARY: There's a bit of "Mr. Smith Goes to Washington" in PM Abadi's remarks. That the Iraqis are traumatized by the Saddam years is beyond dispute. From their perspective they are still affected by Saddam's invasion of Iran, his invasion of Kuwait, Operation Iraqi Freedom, the insurgency against the U.S. military occupation and now the war against ISIL. To see the conflagoration now being generated by the sharp escalation embarked upon by their southern neighbor is having an effect on the Baghdad government, as demonstrated by Adadi's responses to reporters.

It's also unfortunate that Abadi's urgent request for tanks and heavy weapons serves as an echo of Iran-backed Badr President Amiri, in comments Amiri made during the Battle of Tikrit when photos appeared of Iranian T-72S main battle tanks being operated by elements of the Iraqi Army.

Turning again to the above imagery of burning Iraqi tanks, it is the opinion of this writer that the beneficiary of this tug of war between Iran and the United States over Iraq is ISIL. Such runs counter to the interests of both countries, and Iraq.

Meanwhile, Iran's Soleimani PR campaign continues:

Image turning up this week on social media depicting IRGC-QF Commander Soleimani accompanying the air medical transport of Khadeer Al-Matrouhi, leader of "21st Brigade" who was reportedly WIA during Battle of Tikrit.

Yemen Could Engulf Region in War – Abadi

Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi said today in Washington that the conflict in Yemen could consume the whole region. He added that after talks in Washington he believes that U.S. leaders shared his concerns and want to stop this conflict as soon as possible. Abadi met with President Obama on Tuesday at the White House.

“This (Yemen war) can engulf the whole region in another conflict,” Abadi said. “We don’t need another sectarian war in the region.” (Reuters, 15 April)

Abadi said convincing Saudi Arabia to halt its offensive in Yemen could be difficult. The Saudi-led alliance of ten Sunni countries is engaged in a three-week-old air campaign against the Shia Huthi (AnsarAllah) insurgents who are allied with Iran. They have taken over the capital Sanaa and have advanced to other parts of the country, including Aden, the capital of southern Yemen.

“From what I understand from the (Obama) administration, the Saudis are not helpful. They don’t want a ceasefire now,” Abadi said.

The White House, however, denied Obama had criticized Saudi Arabia in his talks with Abadi and renewed U.S. support for the anti-Huthi military campaign by the Saudi-led coalition.

“We firmly support current GCC-led operations… which is why we have been providing support for coalition operations,” said National Security Council spokesman Alistair Baskey. (Reuters, 15 April)

File photo: Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi in a news conference in Baghdad, 31 March 2015 (Ahmed Saad/Reuters)

Iraqi Prime Minister at White House

Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi today met with President Obama at the White House. An Iraqi official told CNN after the meeting that the prime minister made a request to Obama for enhanced U.S. military support, including increased airstrikes against ISIL positions.

The Iraqi official pointed to recent ISIL attacks on the Baiji oil refinery as a reason for boosting U.S.-Iraqi military cooperation. “If we can enhance the current cooperation, then we can avoid these sorts of attack,” the official told CNN.

Asked by reporters about Iraqi requests to enhance military cooperation and purchase more military equipment, like helicopters and drones, Obama said that the reason for the meeting today was to discuss such issues.

“I think this is why we are having this meeting to make sure that we are continually improving our coordination to make sure Iraqi security forces are in a position to succeed in our common mission,” President Obama said at a joint press conference with Prime Minister Abadi. (CNN, 14 April)

Aside from military cooperation, the prime minister also requested joint efforts on areas like economic development opportunities in Iraq.

Also, the White House announced that the U.S. has offered Iraq $200 million for urgent humanitarian projects.

Photo credit: Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abedi (L) and President Barack Obama with reporters at the Oval Office at the White House; 14 April 2015 (Jonathan Ernst/Reuters)

Falling Oil Prices May Hurt Fight against ISIL – Abadi

Iraqi Prime Minister Haidar al-Abadi told reporters in London on Thursday that the falling oil prices were imperiling the Iraqi government’s efforts to fight the Islamic State. Abadi made the comments after meeting with the representatives of 20 countries who were gathered in the UK to unify international community’s response to ISIL. 

Baghdad generates around 85 percent of its hard-currency revenues through oil sales. Oil has lost more than half its value since last summer.

“This has been disastrous for us,” Abadi said. “I cannot stress this any more, and we explained this to our partners in the coalition, and I think there will be a program to stand with Iraq.” (Dow Jones Newswires, 23 January)

The reference to a program to stand with Iraq probably signifies the readiness of the coalition to provide higher levels of financial aid to Baghdad to overcome the shortages in oil revenues.

“We don’t want to see a reverse of our military victory due to our budget and fiscal problems, and we have been assured that every member of this coalition will stand with Iraq,” Abadi said.

A senior U.S. official who met with Abadi in London said, “Despite Iraq hitting a record number of oil exports in recent months, the price of oil is impacting their ability and their resource base. It’s not at the level that we anticipated 100 days ago when we were thinking through where we’d be.”

Secretary of State John Kerry said on Thursday that the international coalition set up to fight ISIL has reclaimed 700 square kilometers of territory from the Islamic State and half the insurgency’s top command had been “eliminated.” Baghdad and Washington are also devising an economic strategy that will allow the Iraqi government to develop areas that have been reclaimed once they’re liberated. (Dow Jones Newswires, 23 January)

Iraqi PM on ISIL, Iran, U.S. and Saudi Arabia

Al-Hayat conducted an interview with Iraqi Prime Minister Haidar Al-Abadi, who discusses Iraqi security situation and relations with Iran, U.S., Saudi Arabia and oil. Below, are excerpts from the interview, especially on Iraqi-Iranian relations.

To read the complete English translation of the interview, which appeared in Al-Monitor on Wednesday, please click here. For our Arabic readers, here is the link to the original Al-Hayat article.

Al-Hayat:  How would you summarize the security situation in Iraq today?

Abadi:  It is hard to describe the situation in Iraq in limited words, but there were some real challenges, and we have overcome some, while we are still facing others. The biggest challenge we faced at the security level was in Baghdad.

Al-Hayat:  Was it the US or Iran that took the initiative to help Iraq first?

Abadi:  Iran was the first. Since the first week, it established an air bridge for the transfer of weapons to Iraq, Kurdistan and Baghdad, and this was not a secret. Iran and Iraq have common interests in the war against IS. I have no doubt that Iranians are honestly defending Iraq as the IS threat goes beyond Iraq, which is a real danger to Iran. If this organization managed to reach the Iranian border, either through Kurdistan or across Diyala, huge areas of Iran would have been shaken. This quick Iranian intervention to help Iraq was a strategic issue, and it happened so quick that there was no understanding on the payment modality for the Iranian weapons given the seriousness of the situation.

Al-Hayat:  Is there actually a problem called "Iran's management of the Iraqi matter"?

Abadi:  I will be candid on this point. Our relationship with Iran is strong for several reasons. The first is geographical, as we share the longest border, and another is demographic, as the Iraqi population density is concentrated in the east adjacent to the Iranian border. This has created over the years a cultural intertwining. Moreover, Iraqi security is correlated with Iranian national security. Iran fought with Iraq a war that lasted for years and that was devastating to both sides. The Iranians still fear the Iraqi situation will head once again in the same direction that led to this war. … It is well known that Saddam Hussein would not have been able to continue the war if it weren’t for Arab and Western support. Iran still feels apprehension and fear of a repetition of this previous situation. Thus, the Iranians will probably take further steps, such as disagreeing with Iraq on the position of the international coalition against IS.

Al-Hayat:  Do you disagree with Iran on this point?

Abadi:  Certainly, we have strong relations with the US and Western countries and we have a high level planning in terms of airstrikes and training. This is seen by Iranians as a threat. This is why we told our brothers in Iran that this is not their right, but it is rather our natural right and an Iraqi internal affair. We cannot allow the use of Iraqi territory against Iran, as the international coalition stands beside Iraq against IS and not against any neighboring country. This is known and the coalition is not against Syria despite the disagreements between the international coalition and the regime there.

However, I believe that despite our strong relations with Iran, we will not allow it to interfere in our internal affairs. Iranians have their interests and we have our own. There is a difference between having common interests and between having the Iranians interfere in internal Iraqi affairs. We aim at having common interests with our neighboring countries and all regional countries.

Al-Hayat:  Is Syria an obstacle to Iraqi-Saudi relations?

Abadi:  We did not feel that way during the meetings between the two countries. The Syrian crisis might be an obstacle for Iraq’s relations with Turkey, but not with Saudi Arabia.

What we witnessed today was a setback in the positions of all parties regarding the Syrian issue. Syria was supposed to be part of the Arab Spring, but we reached the Arab Destruction, and this is a complete disaster. There is more than one angle to look at the situation in Syria, and there is talk of a repressive, totalitarian and non-democratic regime in this country, and others are talking about a national opposition wanting to liberate Syria from the regime's repression. A third side believes that the Syrian regime is a secular system, and that it is fighting an extremist opposition. The current general trend is that IS is the most dangerous group in Syria, not the regime.

Al-Hayat:  Are you waiting for a US-Iranian understanding? Personally, do you think the US and Iran are on their way to reaching an agreement?

Abadi:  This issue is probably out of Iraq’s control. However, we care about the two countries working on supporting Iraq in its war against IS, and both these countries do not want to clash with Iraq.

Al-Hayat:  Do you think that the West has forgotten the issue of overthrowing Assad?

Abadi:  It was certainly postponed. The project to train the opposition has not even started yet, and it seems that it was developed to persuade the others to keep the status quo. The case is similar to what happened in Iraq. Following the war of Kuwait, the Americans claimed that they support the Iraqi opposition. This lasted for 12 years, and nothing happened on the ground, until the regime was ousted.

Al-Hayat:  What is the impact of the falling oil prices in Iraq?

Abadi:  The decline of oil prices has adversely affected all oil-producing countries, especially Iraq. Iraq, unlike the Gulf countries, does not have oil reserves or infrastructure, as it has been preoccupied with wars and economic blockade for decades. Now after the Baath Party has left power, Iraq is now fighting against terrorists and thus we need the oil money to rebuild what has been destroyed. We depend on oil in our budget by 85% to 90%, as we have yet to build an economy in parallel to the oil fields as other countries have managed to do. Thus, we have been doubly affected by the decline of oil. This is a “catastrophe” that may affect the lives of people. Nevertheless, Iraq is not a bankrupt state, but is going through a financial crisis this year and partly in the next year. Eventually Iraq has potential.

Photo credit: Iraqi Prime Minister Haidar al-Abadi during the interview with Al-Hayat (Al-Hayat)

Iraqi prime minister’s newish B737 in Tehran

Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi arrives 20OCT14 at Mehrabad International Airport (THR) aboard Iraqi Airways Boeing 737-81Z(WL), reg. YI-ASF (cn 40105/4719).

Seen in background, YI-ASF is a recent build having been delivered by Boeing to Iraqi Airways on 17DEC13. Aircraft utilizes a VIP configuration of 75 seats.

Aircraft used by the previous prime minister: Iraqi Government Airbus A300B4-203, reg. YI-APX (cn 239). This ex-Mahan Air jet was provided as a gift from Iran to the Iraqi Government on 21JUL07.

Interestingly enough, Iraqi 8th-Day News on 13OCT14 cite unnamed sources close to the current prime minister's office in alleging that former Prime Minister Maliki (now a vice president) is refusing to transfer this aircraft over to Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi. Sources go on to state the aircraft remains at Baghdad International Airport (BGW) "with a crew dedicated to the leadership of the Iranian plane."

The 8th-Day News report remains unverified. However, YI-APX is identified by ch-aviation as currently being stored at BGW.

Photos: Petr Volek, Islamic Republic News Agency and Mohammad Ali Marizad at Tasnim News Agency

Abadi in Tehran

Iraqi Prime Minister Haidar al-Abadi arrived in Tehran shortly before midnight on Monday on his first visit to Iran. Abadi took office in the midst of a crisis in Iraq triggered by the rapid advance of the Islamic State. During his one-day stay in Tehran, Abadi will hold talks with senior Iranian leaders on the ISIL, the security situation in Iraq, and the role of Iran’s Quds Force, IRGC, Basij, and Shia militias under their command, in the fight against ISIL. The Islamic State insurgents hold territories just a few kilometers from the Iranian border.

“No ground forces from any superpowers, international coalition, or regional power will fight (in Iraq),” Abadi said in Baghdad, just prior to his departure to Tehran. “This is my decision, it is the decision of the Iraqi government.” (AFP, 20 October)

Photo credit: Iraqi Prime Minister Haidar al-Abadi being greeted by officials upon arrival at Tehran's Mehrabad airport; Monday 20 October 2014 (IRNA)

Iraq Has a Unity Government

Iraq’s parliament today gave Haider al-Abadi its vote of confidence, officially making him the new prime minister of Iraq. The parliamentarians also approved Abadi’s cabinet. Two key ministries, Defense and Interior, however, were left vacant for now.

Former premiers Ayad Allawi and Nuri al-Maliki were named co-vice presidents. Another former premier, Ibrahim al-Jafaari, was named foreign minister.

Two other important ministries, finance and oil, went respectively to Rozh Nouri Shawayees, former prime minister of Kurdistan, and Adil Abd al-Mahdi, an ISCI leader.

Prime Minister Abadi will temporarily hold the defense and interior portfolios until new ministers are named. Early in the voting process, the Badr Organization deputies staged a walk out to protest Abadi’s decision not to appoint their chairman, Hadi al-Amiri, the closest Iranian ally, as the interior minister. However as it became clear that the post could go to a person acceptable to Badr, its deputies returned to parliament and participated in the vote of confidence for the new premier and his cabinet.

File photo: New Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi (Reuters/BBC)

Zarif in Baghdad

Iranian Foreign Minister Javad Zarif arrived in Baghdad on Sunday to hold talks on the Iraqi crisis with the country’s leadership, including the Prime Minister-designate Haider al-Abadi.

Iran’s relations with Iraq have been primarily conducted by General Soleimani, the Quds Force commander, who has practically lived in Iraq since the current conflict began in June. Zarif’s visit probably signals the return of Iraqi portfolio to the foreign ministry, which is the diplomatic norm.

While Zarif was in Baghdad, the Islamic State insurgents launched a string of attacks across the country, which left at least 35 people dead. The militants renewed their push toward the Baiji refinery, once the country’s largest, supplying some 50 percent of Iraq’s supply of refined petroleum products, but shut down since June as it became the scene of major fighting between the IS insurgents and Iraqi security forces for its control.

Zarif’s visit also come at a delicate time for Abadi’s attempt to form the new Iraqi government. On Friday, suspected Shia militia gunmen massacred 70 Sunni worshippers at Friday prayers in a mosque in Diyala province. The attack threatened to derail Abadi’s negotiations with the Sunnis on the composition of the new cabinet. Abadi, a Shia, has called on all Iraqi citizens “to close rank to deny opportunity to the enemies of Iraq who are trying to provoke strife.”

The timing of the visit also coincided with reports that hundreds of Iranian troops supported by an armored column crossed the Iraqi border and entered the city of Khanaqin on Friday, but retreated after only one day. 

It is not known if the Iranian troops participated in any operation against the Islamic State forces, who control the city of Jalula, near Khanaqin and only 19 miles from the Iranian border. The daylong deployment of Iranian ground forces into Iraq was the first during the current conflict, and could have been a probing maneuver to test the IS defenses and to demonstrate Iran's military ground force capabilities. Iranian armored and infantry divisions are deployed at the border, ready to cross it if ordered.

Photo credit: Iranian Foreign Minister Javad Zarif (IRNA)

Sistani Backs New Iraqi PM

Grand Ayatllah Ali al-Sistani, Iraq's Shia leader, on Friday threw his support behind the country’s new prime minister. Sistani urged Prime Minister-designate Haider al-Abadi to work for unity of Iraq and end corruption. Sistan, leading the Friday prayers, said the transition was a rare opportunity to resolve “political and security crisis.” (Reuters, 15 August)

Note: Grand Ayatollah Sistani had urged the new premier to work "for unity of IRAQ and end corruption." An earlier version of this post had mistakenly said Iran instead of Iraq. My apologies, it was just a typo!