Feud between Iraqi Sunni leaders could undercut bloc ahead of elections
Speaker of parliament and leader of the Advancement alliance Mohammed al-Halbusi has accused the leader of al-Azm alliance, Khamis al-Khanjar, of selling Sunni land.
As Iraq's legislative elections draw near, a major conflict between Sunni political leaders has started to rear its head for several political, societal and economic — but also regional — reasons.
This has led Sunni politicians to warn of the impact of the conflict between the leader of the Advancement alliance, Mohammed al-Halbusi, and the leader of al-Azm alliance, Khamis al-Khanjar, as they deem this a reason Sunnis could lose a number of seats in the next parliament.
Sunni parliament member Raad al-Dahlaki said on Aug. 2, “The fierce competition between the two alliances’ candidates will result in the loss of Sunni seats, especially in the mixed electoral governorates of Baghdad and Diyala, among others.”
Sunni politicians said in press statements, “What is currently taking place on the Sunni street is an electoral competition that has nothing to do with the regional role, and we expect more battles to emerge with the aim of settling other scores.”
