There are reports out of Iraq this weekend claiming that a deal has been reached to end mass protests against the Abdel Mahdi government, and to keep him in power. There are substantial questions about this claim, however, and it may be premature to call the protests over.
The drive to end the protests is, as in the past, coming out of Iran, and Iranian Gen. Qasem Soleimani was sent to Najaf and Baghdad to meet with top Iraqi Shi’ite officials and inform them that Iran prefers Abdel Mahdi remain in power.
Soleimani had met with both top cleric Moqtada al-Sadr, and the son of Grand Ayatollah Ali Sistani over the matter. Prime Minister Adil Abdel Mahdi has announced that there will be electoral reforms, though he’s continuing to say he won’t accept any calls to resign unless he believes the transfer of power would be smooth.
How true all of this is may be the bigger question, however, as Grand Ayatollah Ali Sistani has denied having been involved in any agreement to save Abdel Mahdi’s government, and is standing by his Friday calls for them to unconditionally meet the demands of protesters and stop attacking them.
Protests are continuing, and don’t seem to be slowing despite reports of a deal. Government forces are continuing to use live ammunition to fire on them as well, despite Sistani cautioning security forces to cut that out.
Sistani denies, Soleimani lies, and Mahdi’s demise, will continue …