Iraq: tensions between two Shiite leaders aggravate political instability

Moqtada al-Sadr, Iraqi militia leader and Shia Muslim cleric, gives a press conference in the central holy city of Najaf on November 18, 2021. AFP - ALI NAJAFI

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1 min

They are two of the great political figures of the Shiite camp in Iraq.

Two rival figures, but who, there, tear each other apart a little more in the public square.

In audio recordings, the former prime minister is heard criticizing religious leader Moqtada Sadr.

A judicial inquiry has been opened, but the two men are at loggerheads as the country is going through a major political crisis.

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It's a speech, a monologue, from a man to other people.

The speaker is introduced as Nouri al-Maliki, a former prime minister and still influential in Iraqi politics.

He was presumably speaking in front of political allies.

And in these recordings, the former head of government attacks Moqtada Sadr directly.

The very influential religious leader, who, on Friday July 15 again, mobilized

hundreds of thousands of supporters

, is described as a bloodthirsty and greedy man.

And Nouri al-Maliki also attacks his allies, in particular

Hachd al-Chaabi

.

This former militia, now integrated into the government forces, is accused of being under the orders of Iran.

Nouri Al-Maliki replies that these recordings were "

fabricated

".

He denies having said what he said.

But the broadcast of these recordings rekindles the tensions between these two heavyweights of Iraqi politics.

Moqtada Sadr calls on his rival "

to withdraw from political life

".

He "

does not have the right, with his destructive ideas, to lead Iraq

", he judges.

Tensions that only increase political divisions when no head of government has been appointed since the elections last October.

 To read also: Resignation of elected Sadrists: "Iraq is in an unprecedented situation"

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  • Iraq

  • Nouri al-Maliki