
Al-Karawi returns to Diyala council post, faces resistance
Al-Karawi stated in a press conference that the council's current focus is on oversight and legislative functions, in accordance with the Provincial Councils Law.
'The doors are open for dialogue,' he said, noting that absenteeism is a failure to honor the trust of voters.
Al-Karawi also clarified that the current composition of the council was based on prior political agreements reached in Baghdad, and that the distribution of positions within the province followed those understandings.
The Administrative Court ruled on Monday to suspend the procedures for Al-Karawi's dismissal and reinstate him as head of Diyala Provincial Council, according to official court documents.
However, nine council members voiced in a press conference strong opposition to Al-Karawi's reinstatement. Turki Al-Atabi, the head of the council's Integrity Committee, affirmed that the court ruling ran 'counter to the will of the majority,' emphasizing that 12 members—more than two-thirds of the council—had voted to remove Al-Karawi in March.
The statement accused the former chairman of 'administrative misconduct and manipulating council decisions for personal benefit,' arguing that his dismissal was essential to prevent institutional deadlock and to ensure the council could continue performing its legislative duties.
Calling on the Supreme Judicial Council to review the ruling, the members argued that the dismissal was legally sound and conducted in full compliance with the amended Provincial Councils Law No. 21 of 2008. Al-Atabi emphasized that 'upholding the council's decision is vital to preserving its integrity and serving the public interest in Diyala.'
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


Shafaq News
16 minutes ago
- Shafaq News
Iraq postpones political prisoners bill vote: Kurdish MPs walk out
Shafaq News – Baghdad On Sunday, Iraq's Parliament postponed a scheduled vote on amendments to the Political Prisoners Foundation Law after lawmakers from the Kurdistan Region withdrew from the session, breaking quorum. The walkout followed heated debate over the proposed changes, which Kurdish parties say overlook key grievances—most notably, the continued exclusion of Halabja's chemical attack victims from full recognition and benefits. Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK) MP Kordo Omar said the withdrawal came after Kurdish concerns were dismissed during the session. Speaking at a press conference, Kurdistan Islamic Union MP Muthanna Amin also criticized the bill's current form, saying it 'fails to ensure justice for many in the Kurdistan Region.' He noted that although Halabja's victims are legally included under the law, they have yet to receive any compensation since the legislation was last revised in 2013. Amin also highlighted disparities in benefit distribution, pointing to delayed payments and reduced entitlements for former detainees in Kurdistan compared to other provinces. The Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP) and the PUK—Parliament's two largest Kurdish blocs—have both rejected the draft amendment, warning it could erode protections for Peshmerga fighters and other former opposition members. Together, the two factions hold significant influence in Iraq's 329-seat legislature.


Shafaq News
16 minutes ago
- Shafaq News
PM al-Sudani on 2014 genocide: Yazidis essential to Iraqi identity
Shafaq News – Baghdad Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani underscored, on Sunday, that Yazidis, along with Christians, Turkmen, Shabaks, and Sabeans, are essential components of Iraq's cultural fabric and contribute to its national identity and development. Speaking at a ceremony commemorating the 11th anniversary of the 2014 Yazidi genocide by ISIS, al-Sudani pledged continued government action to address the long-term consequences of the massacre, according to his media office. He announced a package of executive and legislative steps, including plans to renovate the Lalish Temple, one of the holiest Yazidi religious sites and a major destination for global pilgrimage, affirming the government's commitment to bringing perpetrators to justice, and intensifying efforts to recover abductees and clarify the fate of the missing. More than ten years after the attack, nearly 2,600 Yazidi women and girls are still unaccounted for, while forensic teams continue exhuming and identifying remains from mass graves across Sinjar and surrounding areas. The prime minister also called on all Iraqis, including the Yazidi community, to participate in the upcoming parliamentary elections on November 11.


Iraqi News
2 hours ago
- Iraqi News
Iraq expands Baiji refinery complex
Baghdad ( – The northern Iraqi province of Salah al-Din marked an important milestone in the energy sector with the opening of a new oil refinery and the commencement of a large project to rehabilitate the Baiji gas power plant, ushering in a new era of growth in the country. Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani inaugurated on Saturday the oil refinery and a power plant in the city of Baiji, according to a statement released by the Prime Minister's Office (PMO). The project is part of the Iraqi government's ambitions to reconstruct terrorism-damaged facilities and attain self-sufficiency in fuel and energy production. The refinery is currently operating at full capacity, producing up to 250,000 tons of oil annually. Al-Sudani noted that the inauguration of the refinery demonstrates Iraq's ability to accomplish projects that used to be carried out by foreign corporations. The prime minister also inaugurated a 50-megawatt power plant designed to meet the refinery's electrical needs independently of the national grid. This ensures continuous operation and alleviates pressure on the country's electrical network. The refinery produces various types of oils, such as engine oils, heavy oils, and turbine oils, in addition to 600,000 tons of multi-grade asphalt each year. This output supports the local market and helps conserve foreign currency. Al-Sudani said in January that the city of Baiji is expected to be one of the largest cities in the oil industry in the region. At the following phase, a petrochemical plant will be set up at refineries in Baiji, according to Al-Sudani. The Iraqi government is working on several strategic initiatives that are being carried out for the first time in the country's history. These initiatives are projected to increase the country's output of oil, gas, and electricity.