'No Room For Militias' In Iraq, Cleric Moqtada Al-Sadr Declares, As Party Takes Over Government
Good day from REEDNEWSARABWORLD for Monday, January 10, 2022! Iraq elects a parliament speaker, new leader cleric Moqtada Al-Sadr says there won't be any more militias in Iraq, and Shiites and Sunnis and Kurds will defend the rights of all minorities in the country. But that didn't stop the violence, and two protesters were shot in the city of Kut when they tore down portraits of Iran's assassinated military leader, Qassem Soleimani.
The opening of Iraq's new parliament, three months after election, was interrupted when the presiding officer (the oldest member presides) Mahmoud al-Mashahadani, was taken ill and hospitalized.
In Iran, authorities released a list of 52 Americans they said played a role in the death of Soleimani, and in Washington, a top official said "Make no mistake, the United States will protect and defend its citizens."
A princess is released from detention in Saudi Arabia, and women are now allowed to drive taxis. The Taliban's foreign minister makes his first trip to Iran, as a confidential United Nations report says Iran ships arms to Yemen from a single port, and France was considering cancelling the Dakar auto races in Saudi Arabia (but didn't and most likely won't.)
News from the United Arab Emirates, Lebanon, Tunisia, Morocco, Sudan, and More.
"There is no room anymore for militias" In Iraq, the powerful leader Moqtada al-Sadr ordered as the Iraqi parliament convened. If the cleric al-Sadr can deliver and disband the aggressive militias that are actively supported by Iran, he will bring marked change to the country after years of turmoil. "There is no room for sectarianism or racism," he said. "There is only room for a national majoritarian government in which the Shiite will defend the rights of the minority Sunnis and Kurds.
"The Kurd will defend the rights of the minority Sunnis and Shiites and the Sunni will defend the rights of the minority Shiites and Kurds," al-Sadr stressed. He also revealed that his movement has reached agreement with Sunni and Kurdish forces to form the largest bloc in parliament, which comes at the expense of al-Sadr's rival Shiite forces representing the militias.
Asharq Al-Awsat, Sadr: No room for militias in Iraq anymore.
Iraq's parliament elected a Sunni lawmaker as speaker after a tumultuous first session that came three months after elections. Mohammed al-Halbousi was chosen speaker, a seat reserved for the Sunnis, marking an important step forward in establishing a new government. The speaker selection came after a disruption when competing Shiite blocs each claimed a parliamentary majority, but lawmakers from cleric Moqtada al-Sadr's party, which came in first in October elections, strongly objected and defended their position as the largest bloc.
Then Mahmoud al-Mashahadani, the 73-year-old eldest member of Parliament, who presides, suddenly fell ill and was taken to a hospital. A temporary officer presided and al-Halbousi was chosen speaker.
Reuters, Iraqi parliament holds first session, elects speaker.
AFP, Iraq assembly holds fiery first session, but govt still far off.
Associated Press, Iran's new parliament holds 1st session marked by disarray.
Two Iraqi protesters were shot and wounded when they disrupted a ceremony commemorating Iranian commander Qassem Soleimani. In the Iraqi city of Kut, 160 kilometers from Baghdad, 150 to 200 protesters stormed the ceremony, held for the second anniversary of Soleimani's death in a U.S. attack. The protesters began tearing down portraits of Soleimani, and members of a component allied with Iran supporter Hashed fired shots, wounding two of the protesters.
AFP, Gunmen in Iraq wound two trying to stop Soleimani memorial.
Iran imposed sanctions on officers of the United States military and other government officials. Iran added names of 52 Americans to its blacklist of those it claims helped in the 2020 assassination of Irani general Qassem Soleimani. The chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Defense, General Mark Milley; outgoing U.S. Central Command head Gen. Kenneth McKenzie; Pentagon officials, and U.S. base commanders in the region were named by Iran.
Earlier, Iran sanctioned former U.S. President Donald Trump, his Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, and eight others. The sanctions are largely symbolic, but the U.S. warned that it will "protect and defend its citizens."
Al Jazeera, Iran sanctions more U.S. officials over Soleimani assassination.
"Make no mistake. The U.S. will protect and defend its citizens." The United States and its allies will defend itself and its citizens against any attacks carried out by Iran, the White House said in a statement after Iran announced it was sanctioning 52 more current and former American officials. National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan said "We are united in our resolve against threats and provocations" and added:
"We will work with our allies and partners to deter and respond to any attacks carried out by Iran. Should Iran attack any of our nationals, including any of the 52 people named yesterday, it will face severe consequences."
Al Arabiya, After Tehran sanctions Americans, US vows to deter and respond to any attack by Iran.
Reuters, U.S. warns Iran of severe consequences if Americans attacked.
Iran is publicly displaying ballistic missiles as nuclear agreement talks in Vienna flounder. Three missiles, given the names of Dezful, Qiam, and Aolfaghar, were on display at an outdoor prayer esplanade in central Tehran. Iran's Revolutionary Guard said they are known models with ranges of up to 1,000 kilometers, about 600 miles. A report by Iranian state television said the missiles were the same types as those used to strike U.S. bases in Iraq.
Associated Press, Iran displays missiles amid nuclear talks with world powers.
The Taliban's foreign minister traveled to Iran to discuss Afghanistan's growing economic crisis and refugees. The trip was the first since the Taliban seized power in Afghanistan. Foreign Minister
Amir Khan Muttaqi led a delegation to Tehran, which has millions of Afghan refugees and is fearful of a new influx. Iran has not recognized the Taliban administration, saying an inclusive government should be formed.
AFP, Taliban foreign minister in first trip to Iran.
A confidential United Nations report says Iran has used boats and land transport to smuggle weapons into Yemen. The weapons' origins were identified as Iran, Russia, and China. The arms included rocket launchers, machine guns, and sniper rifles. The U.S. Navy seized the arms in recent months.
A UN panel of experts said the weapons likely came from a single port in Iran. "The mix of the weapons indicates a common pattern of supply, likely from government stocks, involving dhows (boats) in the Arabian Sea, which transport weapons to Yemen and Somalia," the report said.
Al Jazeera, Iran 'likely' smuggling weapons to Yemen: UN report.
Naharnet, U.N. report: thousands of Yemen-bound arms came from one port in Iran.
Iran denied a report that agreement for a two-year nuclear deal had been reached in Vienna. A London-based outlet, Rai al-Youm, reported that world powers and Iran had agreed to the arrangement. that the United States would lift sanctions on Iran, and that all of Iran's advanced uranium would be transported to Russia, which would be the guarantor of the agreement. An Iranian journalist said to be close to Iran's negotiations, Abas Aslani, said "the report is totally wrong and fake."
Jerusalem Post, Iran denies interim nuclear deal reached - report.
A Saudi Arabian princess, the youngest child of the late King Saud, has been released from detention after being held without charge for three years. Princess Basmah bint Saud bin Abdulaziz al-Saud, an outspoken human rights advocate, and her daughter Souhoud al-Sharif disappeared in 2019. She signaled on social media in 2020 that she had been imprisoned in the Saudi capital of Riyadh for more than a year and was sick. She demanded then that Saudi Arabia's ruler, her uncle King Salman, and the crown prince, her cousin Mohammed bin Salman, release her and provide medical care.
The Saudi government has not commented on her release, and it has never publicly acknowledged the case. The princess's legal advisor said she and her daughter had been "released from their arbitrary imprisonment" and had arrived at their home in Jeddah. "The princess is doing fine but will be seeking medical expertise, " Henri Estramant said. "She seems worn out but is in good spirits."
Princess Basma has been an outspoken critic of abuses in Saudi Arabia and has called for reforms, particularly women's rights. While she was imprisoned, her family sent testimony to the United Nations describing her as an ally of former crown Prince Mohammed bin Nayef. Nayef was displaced by the current crown prince and is reported under house arrest.
AFP, Outspoken Saudi princess released from detention after three years without charge.
The Guardian, Outspoken Saudi princess released after nearly three years in jail.
New York Times, Saudi princess is released, but other royals are still locked up.
Associated Press, Saudi princess freed after nearly 3 years in jail.
The United Arab Emirates is accused of retaliating against an activist serving a 10-year sentence because he spoke publicly about mistreatment. Human Rights Watch and the Gulf Center for Human Rights said Ahmed Mansoor was moved to a smaller cell, isolated and denied medical care after a letter he wrote about prison conditions was published. His letter said UAE authorities were holding him in indefinite solitary confinement.
Mansoor is an electrical engineer, poet, and human rights advocate who was arrested in 2017 and charged with "portraying the UAE as a lawless land." In 2019, five U.S. senators asked for a report on his prison conditions, and Yousef Al-Otaiba, UAE ambassador to the United States, said Mansoor had incited violence and engaged in "impermissible sectarian hate speech." Rights groups say there is no evidence Mansoor did so.
Al Monitor, Rights group accuse UAE of 'retaliating' against jailed activist Ahmed Mansoor.
Saudi Arabian women can now become taxi drivers. Four years after allowing women to drive, the Saudi government announced on Twitter that women can apply for a "general taxi license" at any of 18 driving schools in cities across the kingdom. The locations include Riyadh, Jeddah, Jazan, Asir, Najran, Jouf, Hail, and Taif. Licenses will cost SR 200, or $53.
Free Press Journal, In a historic decision, Saudi govt allows women to become taxi cab drivers.
France is considering cancelling the Dakar auto race in Saudi Arabia , and the French foreign minister said the Saudis should have been more transparent about a car explosion at the event. French investigators are treating the explosion that severely injured French driver Philippe Boutron as a "terrorist attack," but Saudi Arabia maintains there are no criminal suspicions.
Middle East Eye, France considers cancelling Dakar rally in Saudi Arabia after 'terrorist attack.'
Reuters, Saudi Arabia says Dakar rally accident investigation shows no criminal suspicions.
Saudi Arabia is embarrassed by the injury of a French driver from an explosion before the Dakar rally because it reflects on the Saudi efforts to become a global sports center, a French report said.
"This was a tough blow for the organizers and for Saudi Arabia," Pascal Boniface, of the Institute for International and Strategic Affairs and a specialist on sports geopolitics, said. He said the rally was moved from its original trans-Saharan route in Africa to avoid security threats. The explosion is Jeddah was "in a country which was thought to be secure," Boniface said.
AFP, Dakar rally blast 'embarrassment' for Saudi Arabia: analysts.
Reuters, France says Dakar rally blast "perhaps" terrorist attack.
The Saudi-led military coalition has accused Yemeni rebels and their Iranian backers of using two Red Sea ports for military purposes. The charge came after Yemen's rebel Houthis seized an Emirati-flagged vessel. Saudi Arabia condemned what it called piracy against a civilian ship that carried medical supplies.
AFP, Saudi coalition says Yemen rebels militarising sea ports.
The Arab coalition said piracy attacks on the Red Sea are planned by Iran's Revolutionary Guard and showed videos and photos as evidence. The coalition said the Iran-backed Houthis in Yemen are violating international navigation and cited 13 violations against commercial shipping from the Yemen port of Hodeidah by the Houti militia.
Al Arabiya, Houthi piracy of ships off Yemen coast was planned by Iran's IRGC: Arab coalition.
Lebanese protesters caused a broad blackout by storming a key electricity substation and tampering with equipment, Lebanon's state electricity company said. That caused "disturbances on the electrical grid...which led to a total blackout across Lebanese territory." Demonstrators protested against the company for round-the-clock power cuts that can last at least 20 hours a day.
Jerusalem Post, Lebanon hit by nationwide blackout after protesters storm substation.
Middle East Eye, Lebanon electricity company says protesters behind nationwide blackout.
Former Tunisian president Moncef Marzouki has called for civil disobedience to remove incumbent President Kais Saied. Marzouki posted a statement that said: "In less than a year, Tunisia drifted to division, economic collapse, threats against judges, and grave violations of human rights." Earlier, a court in Tunisia had convicted Marzouki ,in absentia, for incitement. The Tunisian president Saied denied he had anything to do with the case against Marzouki, who lives in Paris.
Anadolu Agency, Ex-Tunisian president calls for civil disobedience to topple Saied.
Tunisia's public prosecutor said he was asked by President Kais Saied to arrest the hospitalized Ennahda party deputy leader, Noureddine Bhairi, but won't do so because of a lack of evidence, according to an Ennahda source. Saied's government has accused Bhairi of involvement in terrorism-related activities, which Bhairi denied. Tunisian authorities did not comment on the report that the prosecutor rejected the request to arrest Bhairi.
Timeturk, Tunisia prosecutor rejects request to arrest Ennahda deputy chief: adviser.
Sixty-three year-old Tunisian politician Noureddin Bhairi is "in stable condition," the head of a hospital in Bizerte said. Bhairi is on a hunger strike against the regime of Tunisian President Kais Saied, but has agreed to undergo treatment for hypertension, the hospital said.
AFP, Hunger-striking Tunisian politician 'stable': doctor.
Ramy Shaath, an Egyptian-Palestinian activist, arrived in France after almost two and one-half years of jail in Egypt. The 48-year-old protester. a figure in the 2011 uprising in Egypt, was released by Egyptian authorities. "I spent the last two and a half years in between a few prisons, a few forced disappearance spots, some of them underground, some of them solely, some of them with huge numbers of people in a very inhumane way of treatment," he said.
AFP, Jailed Palestinian activist lands in France after Egypt release.
Egypt freed activist Ramy Shaath after he renounced his nationality, his family said. His family and supporters had organized a "Free Ramy Shaath" campaign, and photos show him in France with relatives, following almost two and one-half years imprisonment in Egypt.
Reuters, Egypt frees activist Ramy Shaath after he renounces nationality, family says.
Morocco and China signed a joint plan to implement the Belt and Road project. Morocco is the first North African country to sign the Chinese initiative, as Beijing steps up its engagement with Africa. The two countries have had a growing relationship since the king of Morocco, Mohammed VI, went to Beijing in 2016 and met with China's leader, Xi Jinping. The Belt and Road initiative is seen as allowing China to use Morocco as a link for Chinese trade between Africa and Europe.
African Business, Morocco and China sign joint belt and road implementation plan.
South China Morning Post, Morocco belt and road deal could give China gateway to Mediterranean, experts say.
The United Nations is planning talks to bring together key players in Sudan. Volker Perthes, the UN envoy for Sudan, said the process will be "inclusive," but gave no time when discussions would begin. "It is time to end the violence and enter into a constructive process," he said.
Sudan's military, rebel groups, political parties, protest movements, civil society, and women's groups are expected to be asked to participate. The ruling military in Sudan hasn't responded to the proposal for talks, and anti-military protests continue. Two groups, the Sudanese Professionals' Association and the Resistance Committees, are instrumental to the protests and would be crucial to any talks.
Associated Press, UN: Sudan talks will aim to salvage political transition.
A leading Sudanese protest group promptly rejected a United Nations plan to hold talks with Sudan's military aimed a restoring a democratic transition. In a statement, the Sudanese Professionals' Association said the "only way" out of the ongoing crisis is through the removal of the generals from power.
Associated Press, Sudan protest group rejects UN offer for talks with military.
The United States is reinforcing its troops in eastern Syria's oil fields. After rocket attacks by pro-Iranian forces, 30 trucks carrying armored vehicles, tanks, and bulldozers were ordered into the area to protect American bases. It's the territory of he Kurdish Syrian Democratic Force, which is allied with the U.S., holds sway in the region, and uses the oil fields for income. The Pentagon has insisted that American troops aren't there to guard the oil fields, but to focus on fighting Islamic State remnants.
Voice of America, US beefs up military presence in Syria oil fields.
MORE: One killed in Sudan protests ahead of UN dialogue launch, Asharq Al-Awsat... Babil massacre increases demand to reform Iraqi security forces, Al Monitor... UN accuses Syria of failing to answer for chemical weapons program, Al Monitor... Wife of Tunisian politician files complaint against Interior minister, Middle East Monitor... Norwegian ambassador to the UN advances Palestine-Israeli conflict to ministerial status, Middle East Monitor... UAE Central Bank expects economy to grow 4.2% in 2022, Reuters... UAE military in action for joint Emirates Shield/50 exercise, The National... Palestinian Authority releases Zuhaidi's son after clashes in Jenin camp, Asharq Al-Awsat... UN envoy welcomes meeting of Libyan military leaders, The Independent... Algeria's Sonatrach to launch first offshore oil drilling in 2023 - state media, Reuters.
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