UPDATE: Fatah alliance says broke up with Abadi for “technical reasons”
Iraqi parliament.
Baghdad (IraqiNews.com) Al-Fatah electoral alliance will run the next Iraqi elections through a separate list, adding that it seceded from a proposed joint list with Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi for “technical reasons”.
Hadi al-Amiri, a senior commander of the Popular Mobilization Forces, of which groups formed the alliance, said in a statement that separation with Abadi happened in a friendly manner, denying reports that there had been differences over nomination for the post of Prime Minister.
Amiri also denied reports which attributed the breakup to Abadi’s decision to join other groups to the alliance.
“Our relations with brother Prime Minister will remain fraternal and friendly, and we are ready to ally with him after the elections”.
Mahmoud al-Rubaye, a spokesperson of the political office of Asaib Ahl al-Haq, a Shia militia and a member of al-Fatah, told Mawazin News that the alliance, which comprises several militia commanders, will run the elections through a “separate list”.
“Fatah will run the elections through the nine entities that had founded the alliance, besides nine more that joined recently” he said, adding that their breakup with Abadi’s al-Nasr list was related to the elections law and share of seats.
“Any alliance with a political figure of group should be sought after elections,” he added.
On Monday, several groups composing al-Fatah alliance announced their withdrawal from alliance with Abadi, hours after signing for a joint list.
Jassem al-Bayati, a senior leader of Abadi’s Daawa Party, said in statements on Tuesday, quoted by All Iraq News, that the withdrawals were, however, not final, disclosing intensive negotiations to dissuade al-Fatah from the decision.
Al-Fatah comprises factions from the Popular Mobilization Forces, the troops that made an outstanding contribution to the Iraqi government’s fight against Islamic State militants since 2014.
Iraq has slated parliamentary and local elections for May 12th.