Accusing President Fuad Masum of plotting a “coup” against his continued rule, Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki has ordered large numbers of special forces and military loyal to him deployed across the capital city of Baghdad.
Troops and tanks were moving across Baghdad overnight, with significant numbers centered around the Green Zone, where government buildings are located. Troops were also reported outside of the presidential palace in Baghdad.
The dispute between Masum and Maliki appears to have begun with the adjournment of parliament earlier Sunday. President Masum was supposed to have appointed a PM-designee to try to form a new government, and with Maliki’s State of Law Party having the plurality, Maliki believes that should be him.
But Masum didn’t appoint anybody, as the Iraqi National Alliance did not present a consensus Shi’ite candidate. Maliki insisted that the failure to appoint him was tantamount to a coup against him.
Having reneged on all power-sharing deals after losing the last election, Maliki has retained the positions of Defense Minister and Interior Minister, meaning effectively all troops in the country are under his direct command, and the most loyal of those are the ones who were deployed into Baghdad this evening.
Where this will lead remains to be seen, but parliament is not scheduled to meet again for at least nine days, and Maliki’s latest show of force is only going to add to the growing disquiet about his continued rule.
At the same time, the US State Department has issued statements announcing US backing for President Masum, as well as for the ouster of Maliki, with deputy spokeswoman Marie Harf saying the US wants a prime minister who will build a “national consensus” instead of the divisive Maliki.
The US has made clear in the past its preference for Maliki’s replacement, but this is the most direct comment yet suggesting their desire to see his immediate ouster from power, and will add international intrigue to the growing political battle.
The USG is for dividing Iraq with all costs. USG was to deliver F16 fighter jet to Iraq, that didn't happen and USG escuse was that: they affried that Iraqi government going to use it against up civilians? Later Iraqi government asked for USG to start bombing ISIS, it took the USG over a month while ISIS was grabbing more land and killing more of Iraqi people and expending their barbaric territory.
Then just last week USG started with 2 plane bombing ISIS positions which not only not enough but now USG using their HELP and ISIS advecement as their burgeoning chips saying, you want our help, Maliki needs to go. USG, Barack Hussein Obama for now they are doing their favoritism for Saudis and UAE in general trying to divide Iraq in three section but with a Sunni government in place of Maliki; therefore, USG is not doing anything, nor us going to do anything about ISIS nor they are willing because of Joe Biden plans for Iraq to be divided.
We said it from day one, the is the regional countries/governments problem, USG and EU deceptive politics needs to stay out, otherwise it is very likely that USG is looking to start a coup de Etta against Maliki government and replace him with those Sunni alike Turkish Erdogan regime whom are not against ISIS caliphate nor more of Saudi Arabia influence in the region.
If we weren't used to the USG's irresponsibility, one would ask what the hell is it the State Dept.'s business to back one or some other candidate in another country? Sure, the US experiences the same when netenyahoo announced his backing of Romney, but still.
All of the problems in the Middle East are directly caused by the United States backing one person or group or another for their own self interests, and it is not unusual for them to back a person one minute and because they don't do exactly what they are told they suddenly become persona non gratia!
Okay, let me get this straight- we're attacking the forces who want to get rid of Maliki, when we ourselves want him out of power? What sort of convoluted logic is this? Are we going to end up fighting with ISIS for the dubious honor of being the ones to take Maliki down? Is that what our foreign policy in the Middle has boiled down to- bragging rights?
The problem I have with this is: ISIS, as backward and barbaric as they have been presented to us, at least has a plan for post-jihad Iraq. What do we have? NADA.
Considering Maliki has considerable control over the military and security forces, if I was the US I would warn the US personnel stationed in Baghdad to watch whom they turn their backs on. This is what happens when you verbalize distaste for the current host.
Beware the cornered viper…