RIYADH: The commander of Iran’s overseas Quds Force has been dispatched to Baghdad to order Iran-backed factions to stop undermining Prime Minister Mohammed Shia Al-Sudani.
Sudani is facing allegations that his office spied on top Iraqi officials and rival politicians. The judiciary has opened an investigation into the claims, led by Faiq Zaidan, head of the Supreme Judicial Council, which could determine whether Sudani continues in his job.
Quds Force chief Esmail Qaani told Iraqi political leaders that stability in Iraq was vital amid an escalation in regional violence, and they should ease criticism of the prime minister.
Analysts say the move reflects concerns in Tehran about instability on its doorstep in Iraq, where Iran has long exerted influence through armed groups and political parties.
“At a crucial moment for Iran when it’s trying to respond to Israeli aggression, the Iraqi groups are infighting in a way that’s destabilizing. The last thing Iran wants now is a political mess in Iraq,” said Renad Mansour of the Chatham House think tank in London.
Iran tells politicians in Iraq to halt their infighting
https://arab.news/49jbm
Iran tells politicians in Iraq to halt their infighting
- Quds Force chief Esmail Qaani told Iraqi political leaders that stability in Iraq was vital amid an escalation in regional violence
Seven dead, 11 hurt in southern Turkiye bus crash
- Seven people died and 11 others were hurt early Saturday when an intercity bus crashed into a lorry on a motorway in southern Turkiye, the local governor’s office said
ISTANBUL: Seven people died and 11 others were hurt early Saturday when an intercity bus crashed into a lorry on a motorway in southern Turkiye, the local governor’s office said.
The incident, which happened before dawn on the highway linking the cities of Adana and Gaziantep, happened when a coach plowed into an articulated lorry that had stopped after one of its tires blew out, state news agency Anadolu said.
Footage from the scene showed the front right section of the bus was totally mangled where it hit the back of the lorry about 90 kilometers (55 miles) west of Gaziantep.
Quoting the Osmaniye governor’s office, Anadolu said all of the dead and injured were on board the bus with efforts ongoing to to identify the victims.
The lorry driver, who survived the crash, was detained with police closing down the road, it said.
