Impasse continued in formation of coalition govt. Supreme Court 1 June ratified results of March parliamentary election; former PM Allawi’s Iraqiya bloc won 91 seats, PM Maliki’s State of Law 89 seats in 325 seat parliament. Presidency council must call new parliament within 15 days. Followed 3-16 May recount of Baghdad votes demanded by Maliki which resulted in no change in total parliamentary seat allocation. 2 biggest Shiite coalitions, State of Law and Iraqi National Alliance, 4 May agreed to become single parliamentary bloc, 4 seats short of parliamentary majority. Appeal court 17 May ruled 9 winning candidates not to be excluded from parliament for alleged Baath ties. Bashar Hamid Agaidi, MP of Iraqiya bloc assassinated in Mosul 24 May. Over 100 reportedly killed, hundreds wounded in 10 May coordinated bombings, shootings in Baghdad, Basra, other towns blamed by govt on al-Qaeda. Scores killed in other bombings during month. U.S. 11 May said troop drawdown on schedule despite bombings, political impasse. Body of kidnapped Kurdish journalist discovered early month outside Mosul; supporters claimed Kurdish security services involved. Iraqi Kurdish President 21 May criticised Turkey’s attacks on Turkish-Kurdish PKK rebels in Northern Iraq (see Turkey).

Impasse continued in negotiations to form coalition govt following March elections. Following PM Maliki’s call for vote recount in 5 provinces, election complaints panel 19 Apr ordered recount in Baghdad. Winning candidate for Iraqiya bloc among 52 disqualified by electoral panel 26 Apr for alleged Baath party links. Allawi 27 Apr called for internationally monitored interim govt to prevent manipulation of results; Maliki denounced call as “foreign intervention”. Sadrist movement 2 Apr held ad hoc referendum on prospective PM candidates; results favoured former PM Jaafari over Maliki and Allawi. Leading parties March-Apr sent delegations to Tehran, Riyadh for talks on new govt; Saudis failed to invite Maliki. Iranian ambassador 10 Apr said Sunnis should participate in new govt. Scores killed by several coordinated bombings in Baghdad, including over 40 in attacks targeting embassies 4 Apr, claimed by al-Qaeda-linked Islamic State of Iraq; at least 49 by bombs in Shiite residential areas 6 Apr; over 50 in 23 April bombings targeting Shiite districts and Sadrist HQ. Uniformed gunmen 2 Apr killed 25, mostly Awakening supporters, south of Baghdad. U.S., Iraqi authorities said senior al-Qaeda leaders Abu Ayub al-Masri, Abu Omar al-Baghdadi killed in 18 Apr operation near Tikrit; Islamic State of Iraq confirmed deaths in online statement.

Potentially lengthy negotiations to form new govt underway following 7 March parliamentary election. Preliminary results 26 March gave former PM Allawi’s secularist/Sunni-backed Iraqiya alliance 91 seats, marginally ahead of PM Maliki’s largely Shiite State of Law bloc with 89; with 163 seats needed to secure majority, both leading alliances began talks with potential coalition partners. Both blocs alleged fraud as results gradually emerged during month. Election commission rejected calls for recount by Maliki, President Talabani 20, 21 March; Maliki 31 March said formally appealing against preliminary results. Accountability and Justice Commission 29 March said 6 elected candidates to be disqualified for alleged Baathist ties. At least 38 killed in attacks on polling day, mainly in Baghdad. In run-up to election 33 killed by bombings in Baaquba 3 March; 17 died in attacks on early voting, Baghdad, 4 March; at least 3 killed in 6 March bombing, Najaf. Attacks continued across country following polls: 15 killed by bombs in Falluja 15 March, Musayyab 16 March; 5 soldiers shot dead at checkpoint near Baghdad 24 March; bombs in Khalis 26 March killed 59; 6 killed in Qaim 28 March; 5 killed in Kerbala 29 March.

As campaigning began for early March legislative elections, controversy continued over ban on over 500 candidates identified as Baathist, seen as targeting Sunni, secularist parties. Appeals panel 3 Feb ruled candidates could stand until cases decided. After PM Maliki disputed ruling, panel 7 Feb reversed suspension of ban, agreed to consider banned candidates’ appeals before start of campaign; election commission 13 Feb said only 26 out of some 170 appeals successful; rejected candidates included prominent Sunnis Saleh al-Mutlaq, Dhafir al-Ani. Iraqiya bloc suspended campaign for 3 days in protest; Mutlaq initially called for election boycott 20 Feb, but reversed position 25 Feb. Iraqiya candidate killed in Mosul 7 Feb; several bombings targeted election candidates in Baghdad 13 Feb. Govt 25 Feb announced 20,000 Saddam-era army officers to be reinstated. PUK forces in violent clash with opposition Goran movement supporters in Suleimaniya 16 Feb. Scores killed in bomb attacks targeting Shiite pilgrims around Arbain holy day, including at least 41 in Baghdad 1 Feb, over 60 in Kerbala 3, 5 Feb. 11 killed by suicide bomber 18 Feb near govt offices, Ramadi. U.S., Iraqi forces 12 Feb attacked Kataib Hizbollah militants in Maysan province, arresting 12; civilians allegedly among 8 killed. Christians protested in Baghdad, Mosul 28 Feb after 8 Christians killed in series of attacks.

Political tensions over March parliamentary elections renewed after electoral commission barred over 500 candidates alleged by Accountability and Justice Commission (AJC) to have Baath party links, including numerous pro-Sunni, secularist politicians. Barred candidates reportedly include National Dialogue Front leader Saleh al-Mutlaq, Defence Minister al-Obeidi. PM Maliki backed decision; President Talabani 21 Jan said Supreme Court asked to rule on status of AJC. U.S. VP Biden in Baghdad to discuss dispute 23 Jan. Formation of Iraqiya electoral bloc, comprising Sunni, secularist groups led by former PM Allawi, VP al-Hashimi, al-Mutlaq announced 16 Jan. 37 killed by 3 car bombs near Baghdad hotels 25 Jan; al-Qaeda-linked Islamic State of Iraq claimed attack. 26 Jan bombing of Interior Ministry facility killed 18. Attacks targeting security force members in Anbar province 7, 13 Jan killed at least 14; simultaneous bombs hit Najaf 17 Jan. Govt claimed 25 arrested, explosives seized in 12 Jan security operation, Baghdad. 11 accused of Aug bombings in Baghdad sentenced to death 14 Jan. Shiite insurgent leader Qais al-Khazali released 5 Jan in apparent exchange for UK hostages. “Chemical” Ali Hassan al-Majid executed 25 Jan after receiving 4 death sentences for Saddam-era atrocities. Talks with Iranian authorities on Dec border dispute held 7, 18 Jan.

MPs finally agreed new electoral law in last-minute debate 6 Dec, raising number of seats from 275 to 325 to accommodate Sunni, Kurdish claims. After passage of law, govt scheduled parliamentary elections for 7 March 2010. U.S. 10 Dec said new date would not affect troop drawdown plans. At least 127 killed by 5 bombings in central Baghdad 8 Dec, in 3rd major attack targeting govt institutions during last 4 months; al-Qaeda 10 Dec claimed responsibility. PM Maliki also blamed ex-Baathists, 10 Dec said at least 45 security force members involved. 24 killed, Anbar province governor wounded in twin suicide bomb blasts in Ramadi 30 Dec. 10 killed in twin blasts at S Baghdad bus station 24 Dec; 8 killed in 7 Dec attack on Sadr City school. Dozens of Shiite pilgrims killed in separate sectarian attacks during late month Ashura pilgrimage; 15 Awakening militia members killed by gunmen during month. Govt 18 Dec claimed Iranian soldiers occupied Fakka oil well in disputed border area; 20 Dec said Iranians withdrew. Govt 10 Dec announced decision to relocate Iranian exile group Mojahedin-e Khalq from Ashraf camp; group members refused police orders to leave camp 15 Dec. Further contracts to develop oilfields awarded to European, Asian firms 11-13 Dec.

After repeated delays, parliament 8 Nov approved election law including open candidate lists, provisional status for Kirkuk results. VP Hashimi 18 Nov vetoed law, citing lack of refugee representation; MPs approved amended law 23 Nov despite Sunni Arab walkout and Hashimi threat to veto again. Ongoing hold-up over law likely to delay elections beyond constitutional 31 Jan deadline. Awakening militia leader Mustafa Kamal Shabib arrested 5 Nov by Interior Ministry. Court 19 Nov issued death sentence for former Awakening leader Adil Mashhadani on terrorism charges. Gunmen in military uniform 16 Nov executed 13 including local Awakening leader near Abu Ghraib. Numerous deaths in smaller bomb attacks across country during month including in Musayyab, Kirkuk. Govt initialled deals with international oil companies to develop Zubayr, West Qurna oilfields 2, 5 Nov. President Talabani, senior ministers held economic, military talks in France 16-18 Nov.

In deadliest attack for months, govt ministries in Baghdad hit by 6 coordinated bombs 19 Aug, killing over 100. 11 security officials responsible for district arrested 20 Aug; authorities reported arrest of Baathist suspects in bombing 21 Aug; al-Qaeda group 25 Aug claimed responsibility for attack. More bombings throughout country killed dozens, especially in Baghdad, Mosul. Several attacks against minority areas in north: over 40 killed in Turkmen area near Mosul 7 Aug; bombing in Khazna, near Mosul, killed up to 34 members of Shabak group 10 Aug; truck bomb killed 10 in Hamad village near Mosul 29 Aug; 22 killed 13 Aug, 4 killed 29 Aug by bombs in Yezidi town Sinjar. Kurdish, Arab political leaders traded accusations of responsibility for attacks. Syria and Iraq 25 Aug recalled ambassadors after Baghdad demanded handover of 2 Baathists implicated in 19 Aug attack. U.S. commander Odierno 18 Aug announced proposal for joint U.S.-KurdishIraqi army patrols along sensitive “trigger line”. PM Maliki and Kurdistan region leader Barzani met 2 Aug, agreed further talks on oil, land issues. Sadrist splinter group of Shiite insurgents Asaib Ahl al-Haqq renounced violence against Iraqi targets after govt talks 3 Aug. Shiite groups 24 Aug formed alliance for Jan elections including Islamic Supreme Council and Sadrists, but excluding Maliki’s Daawa party. Supreme Council leader Abd-al-Aziz al-Hakim died in Tehran 26 Aug. In rare show of cross-sectarian agreement, Sunni, Shiite clergy announced start of Ramadan on same date, 22 Aug.

25 July Kurdistan regional parliament elections saw high turnout; while retaining overall majority, joint list of ruling KDP, PUK lost significant support to new Goran (Change) movement, which gained 24%. U.S. urged Iraqi govt to pursue political reconciliation in anticipation of U.S. troop drawdown, in meetings including Iraq visits of VP Biden 3-5 July, Defense Sec Gates 28-29 July, Iraqi PM Maliki’s Washington visit 22-24 July. Violent attacks across country continued following endJune U.S. troop withdrawal from cities. Dozens killed in several bombings in Mosul, Baghdad areas throughout month; at least 34 killed by 9 July bomb in Telafar, near Mosul; 29 dead in 31 July bombings targeting Shiite mosques in Baghdad. Bombs hit 7 churches in Baghdad, Mosul 11-13 July. Several attacks in Anbar province including attacks on military, Awakening leaders; bomb destroyed Iraqi Islamic Party HQ in Fallujah 25 July. Police 22 July reported arresting 300 suspected insurgents in Anbar. Shiite leader Muqtada al-Sadr in official visit to Syria 21 July. At least 7 members of Iranian exile group Mojahedin-e Khalq killed in Iraqi security force raid on base, 28-29 July.