Political parties took steps toward creation of new govt as violent protests continued in south. Parliament 5 Sept convened for first time since May legislative elections, but disputes between two main alliances prevented election of parliamentary speaker, who, according to constitution, should be chosen in first session. Both alliances – Reform and Construction bloc led by Shiite cleric Moqtada al-Sadr and Construction bloc led by Hadi al-Ameri – claimed to have largest number of seats, earning right to appoint PM and ministers. Sadr and Ameri 12 Sept agreed on new parliamentary speaker, Mohammad Rikan al-Habousi, and two deputy speakers. Parliament must now elect new president, by convention a Kurd: Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK) 19 Sept nominated Kurdish politician Barham Salih as its presidential candidate. Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP) 23 Sept nominated Fuad Hussein as its candidate. Kurdish region 30 Sept held national assembly elections. Protests continued in south over poor services and unemployment; protesters 7 Sept burnt down Iran’s consulate in Basra, reportedly expressing anger at Iran’s overbearing role in Iraqi politics. Groups fired mortars at U.S. embassy in Baghdad 6 Sept and U.S. consulate in Basra 8 Sept; U.S. blamed Iran-backed militias. In emergency parliamentary session 8 Sept, governor of Basra criticised PM Abadi and cabinet for failures. Govt 9 Sept sent additional security forces to Basra province to restore calm. Islamic State (ISIS)-related insecurity continued, predominantly in Kirkuk, Diyala and Salah al-Din provinces: ISIS militants 3 Sept killed seven civilians in attack on village of Albu Shaher, Kirkuk province. Iranian army 8 Sept launched missiles at headquarters of militant Iranian-Kurdish group Democratic Party of Iranian Kurdistan (PDKI) in Iraqi Kurdistan, killing at least twelve. In far north, Turkey continued operations against Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK), claiming to have killed over fifteen militants in airstrikes.

Electoral commission 10 Aug released results from partial recount of votes cast in May parliamentary election; no major changes from initial results. Several parties continued to question legitimacy of vote due to concerns over electronic voting system and following fire in Baghdad warehouse in June that destroyed ballots preventing full recount. Supreme Court 19 Aug approved final results. Parties intensified negotiations aimed at forming largest parliamentary bloc, thereby winning PM position and right to form cabinet. PM Abadi, Shiite clerics Moqtada al-Sadr and Ammar al-Hakim and former PM Iyad Allawi 19 Aug agreed to unite their coalitions in one parliamentary bloc, but their combined seats fall short of 165 needed for parliamentary majority. Sunni politicians 15 Aug formed National Axis alliance comprising some 50 seats. Abadi 30 Aug fired Falih al-Fayyadh from positions of national security adviser and chairman of Shia militias Popular Mobilisation Units (PMU) for being involved in “partisan political matters”; Fatah Alliance, coalition of parties linked to PMU, criticised decision 31 Aug. Islamic State (ISIS)-related insecurity continued, predominantly in Kirkuk, Diyala and Salah al-Din provinces; UN 13 Aug reported 20,000-30,000 ISIS fighters remained in Iraq and Syria, about half in each country. Govt 17 Aug claimed to have killed 28 ISIS militants in two airstrikes in eastern Syria. In far north, Turkey continued operations against Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK). Turkish army claimed its airstrike near Kocho town in Sinjar region 15 Aug killed senior PKK commander and airstrikes in multiple locations in Iraq 18 Aug killed seven other militants (see Turkey).

Protests erupted in oil-rich south over poor services and unemployment, with some protesters attacking govt and political party offices; security forces responded harshly, killing some 50 protesters. Protests began in Basra 8 July and spread to nine provinces in south, smaller protests held in capital Baghdad. Protesters targeted govt and party offices, oil fields and other economic infrastructure. Security forces, including police and Counter-Terrorism Service, forcibly repressed protests, in some places shooting at protesters. Govt shut down internet and social media platforms to disrupt organisation of protests. PM Abadi promised to change ministers and implement reforms, 17 July pledged $2.5bn to improve services in Basra and to generate 10,000 jobs. Popular Shiite clerics Ali al-Sistani and Moqtada al-Sadr both offered support to demonstrators. Abadi 29 July suspended electricity minister until investigation carried out into poor electricity provision. Protests continued end month: demonstrators 31 July threatened to block all roads to West Qurna 1 oil field. Following 12 May general election, recount of votes in areas where fraud suspected began 3 July, reportedly revealing serious discrepancies between original results and new count in Kirkuk. Islamic State (ISIS)-related insecurity continued in Kirkuk, Diyala and Salah al-Din provinces, with militants increasingly abducting and killing soldiers and officials. Army, police and Kurdish peshmerga forces 4 July launched joint operations in Kirkuk, Diyala and Salah al-Din provinces targeting ISIS forces. Peshmerga fighters 16 July claimed to have killed fourteen ISIS militants in northern Qarachukh mountain region, Erbil province, six peshmerga fighters also killed. In Erbil, capital of Kurdistan, three gunmen took over governorate building until forced out 23-24 July, two gunmen and one civilian killed; no group claimed responsibility but mayor blamed ISIS. In far north, Turkey continued operations against Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK), claiming to have killed at least 55 in airstrikes and ground operations throughout month.

Following 12 May general election, parties winning least parliamentary seats continued to contest results and election-related violence persisted, while those winning most seats made tentative alliances to form new govt. PM Abadi 5 June criticised “dangerous” violations of electoral laws, blaming electoral commission and electronic voting system. Outgoing parliament late May cancelled votes by Iraqis overseas, internally displaced people and peshmerga fighters and 6 June voted in favour of nationwide partial recount and to replace electoral commission with nine judges. Higher Federal Court 21 June reversed cancellation of votes, but confirmed partial recount. Judges in charge of recount 30 June said only suspect ballots flagged in formal complaints or official reports would be recounted; recount to begin 3 July. Unidentified arsonists 10 June set fire to building in Rusafa district, eastern Baghdad, that housed over half of ballots from Baghdad. Shiite cleric Moqtada al-Sadr, leader of coalition that won most seats, announced alliances with Hadi al-Ameri’s bloc 12 June and with PM Abadi’s bloc 23 June to lay foundation for creation of new govt. In other violence, explosion at illegal weapons cache in Sadr city, Baghdad 6 June killed eighteen; Moqtada al-Sadr next day called on govt to disarm civilian factions. Unclaimed bombing 9 June killed two in Khalis, Diyala province. Islamic State (ISIS) claimed numerous attacks in Diyala and Nineveh provinces, targeting police. Air force continued strikes in Syria, claiming strikes in Hajin 22 June killed 45 ISIS militants. Govt-aligned Shia militia Popular Mobilisation Units said airstrike in eastern Syria 17 June, for which it held U.S. responsible, killed 22 of its fighters; U.S. denied responsibility, Israel reportedly carried out strikes. In north, Turkey continued operations against Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) militants: Turkish military claimed its airstrikes had killed 35 militants 15 June and ten more 20 June.

In parliamentary elections 12 May, Shiite cleric Moqtada al-Sadr’s coalition won largest number of seats – 54 out of 328 – with Hadi al-Ameri’s Fatah Alliance winning 47 and incumbent PM Abadi’s Nasr coalition coming third with 42; parties began bargaining over PM and cabinet positions. Voter turnout was low at 44.5%, down from 62% in last election in 2014. Political violence flared before and after vote. Farouk Zarzour, candidate in Ninevah province, shot dead by family members 6 May, reportedly because he advocated relations with secularists; Islamic State (ISIS) claimed responsibility. Thugs in Zakho and Dohuk and police in Suleimaniya reportedly assaulted opposition politicians in late April and early May. After vote, allegations of electoral fraud triggered violence, mainly in Kurdistan: electoral commission 16 May said unidentified armed men took over Kirkuk election office, preventing 186 ballot boxes from being sent to Baghdad. Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK) Peshmerga forces 13 May fired at headquarters of Kurdish opposition Gorran Movement in Suleimaniya. Air force continued strikes on ISIS positions around Syrian towns of Hajin and Dashishah throughout May; govt claimed to have killed 40 ISIS fighters. ISIS claimed numerous attacks in Diyala province. In north, Turkey continued operations against Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) militants. PKK militants reportedly killed two Turkish soldiers 21 May.

Ahead of parliamentary and governorate elections 12 May, campaigning officially began 15 April. Test of newly introduced electronic voting system 18 April reportedly exposed faults. Islamic State (ISIS) continued to launch attacks, especially against officials, in Diyala province in east, Kirkuk province in north and Nineveh province in north west; security source 14 April said roadside bomb in Diyala province killed local judge. Military 9 April reportedly killed prominent ISIS leader Abu Walid al-Checheni in Diyala province. Air force 19 April reportedly carried out strikes against ISIS base near Hajin in Syria with Syrian govt approval. Unclaimed suicide attack 8 April at political party headquarters in Anbar province in west killed four. Ambush on military convoy in Salah al-Din province in north 11 April left five fighters of govt-aligned Shiite Popular Mobilisation Units dead; unclaimed bombing at their funeral 12 April killed sixteen. In far north, Turkey continued operations against Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) militants in early April: PKK forces claimed to have killed five Turkish soldiers 17 April and seven more 19 April, all in Barzan, northern Iraq.

Following negotiations between federal govt and Kurdistan Regional Govt (KRG), PM Abadi agreed to reopen airports in Erbil and Suleimaniya in Iraqi Kurdistan in time for Kurdish New Year 20 March having closed them in wake of Sept Kurdish independence referendum. Abadi 6 March reiterated federal govt would pay salaries of KRG civil servants; payment would be first since 2013. Federal parliament 3 March passed 2018 budget; Kurdish leadership boycotted vote to protest proposed reduction in KRG allocation. International Monetary Fund criticised budget for not allocating enough funds to KRG. Fatah Alliance, coalition of parties linked to govt-aligned Shia militias Popular Mobilisation Units (PMU), criticised budget for being unfair in allocation of pay and pensions to armed forces and PMU. Insecurity persisted in Kirkuk and Nineveh provinces. In Hawija district, Kirkuk province, govt forces and PMU continued to fight Islamic State (ISIS) in some areas. Turkish military 1 March carried out cross-border airstrikes targeting Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) positions in northern Iraq, after PKK militants reportedly opened fire at Turkish military post at Iraq border. Following threats by Turkey that it would launch operation against PKK in northern Iraq, Kurdish forces 23 March said they were withdrawing from Sinjar, Nineveh province.

Islamic State (ISIS) continued to launch sporadic attacks: assault on barber shop in Khanaqin, Diyala governorate in east near Iranian border 9 Feb left nine people dead; militants killed at least 27 members of govt-aligned Shia militias Popular Mobilisation Units (PMU) in Kirkuk 20 Feb; suicide bomber 24 Feb reportedly killed two policemen at Kirkuk oil field. Kurdistan Regional Govt (KRG) representatives met with PM Abadi in Munich 17 Feb but failed to resolve standoff; federal govt maintained restrictions on KRG, including international flight ban, and Kurds refused to relinquish control of their territory’s border crossings. In south, recurrent tribal conflict in Basra and neighbouring provinces threatened stability, at times resulting in revenge killings and firefights: clans and tribes clashed over water quotas in Dhi Qar province early Feb.

In run-up to May general election, ruling Dawa party 13 Jan said former PM Maliki and current PM Abadi, both Dawa members, would contest vote on separate lists. Abadi 14 Jan announced formation of “cross-sectarian” Victory Alliance coalition with support of several major Popular Mobilisation Unit (PMU) factions, including powerful Badr Organisation, but alliance next day collapsed as members traded accusations of corruption and sectarianism. Parliament 22 Jan confirmed parliamentary elections would take place 12 May, despite demands by some Sunni and Kurdish politicians that vote be delayed to allow return of displaced people; Supreme Court 21 Jan had ruled against any delay and Abadi insisted delay would be unconstitutional. Federal govt maintained pressure on Kurdish Regional Govt (KRG): Abadi 20 Jan reiterated demand that KRG relinquish its border crossings and airports in return for federal govt lifting restrictions on semi-autonomous territory, including international flight ban. Despite declaration of “final victory” over Islamic State (ISIS) early Dec, jihadists carried out frequent small-scale attacks against security forces throughout Jan in desert areas near border with Syria and around Hawija, Kirkuk governorate. Twin suicide bombings, claimed by ISIS, killed at least 38 people in central Baghdad 15 Jan. U.S. airstrike in support 0f army raid on suspected ISIS militants 27 Jan reportedly killed six police officers in Baghdadi town, Anbar province. Turkey 1 Feb said it had conducted several airstrikes against PKK militants in north 29 Jan, killing 49.

Security forces 9 Dec completed offensive launched late Nov to clear remaining Islamic State (ISIS) fighters from desert areas in west of Anbar province near Syrian border; PM Abadi same day declared “final victory” against jihadist group. During official celebrations in Baghdad, Abadi praised contribution of Shia Popular Mobilisation Units (PMU) but omitted to mention role of Kurdish Peshmerga. At meeting with Kurdish leaders French President Macron 2 Dec said all militias, particularly PMUs, should be “gradually dismantled”; VP Maliki rejected call as “unacceptable interference”. Abadi 15 Dec said govt had begun effort to bring all arms under state control and top Shia cleric Ali Sistani same day called for PMUs to be integrated into federal security forces and for members to hand weapons to state; all PMU factions pledged to do so. Several PMU commanders mid-Dec announced dissolution of their military groups in apparent preparation to run in legislative elections scheduled for May 2018. Relations between federal govt and Kurdish Regional Govt (KRG) remained at impasse; Baghdad maintained international flight ban on Kurdish capital Erbil. KRG 13 Dec announced further cuts to state salaries, prompting protests across Suleimaniya province in east: protesters demanded KRG’s resignation and 18 Dec reportedly set fire to several political party offices near Suleymaniyah city; Kurdish security forces 19 Dec reportedly killed three people during protests in Ranya. UN Security Council 8 Dec lifted remaining “Food-for-Oil” sanctions, imposed on Iraq in Aug 1990 following Saddam Hussein’s invasion of Kuwait.