2 Shia blocs withdraw from Iraq PM’s coalition

By Ibrahim Salih

BAGHDAD (AA) – Two Shia blocs have withdrawn from Iraqi Prime Minister Haidar al-Abadi, ahead of this year’s parliamentary election.

Last week, al-Abadi unveiled an electoral coalition named “Victory” to run in the May polls.

On Monday, Al-Fath and Montasiroon blocs said they were pulling out of the coalition.

“We will not allow ourselves to be part of the corruption system and promotion of some figures that abused Iraq,” Falih al-Khazali, leader of Montasiroon bloc, said in a statement.

A member of the Fath bloc also confirmed the pullout of his group from the Iraqi premier’s coalition.

“Our bloc has decided to withdraw from the coalition,” he told Anadolu Agency, requesting anonymity because he was unauthorized to speak to media.

He cited “differences” over the membership of new political parties in al-Abadi’s coalition.

“We will officially announce our withdrawal in the upcoming hours,” he said.

The move came shortly after the bloc of prominent Shia leader Ammar al-Hakim announced joining al-Abadi’s coalition ahead of the polls.