Iraq’s Shia Bloc Reiterates Support for Al-Maliki Despite Trump Threats

Despite threats by US President Donald Trump to cut off US assistance to Iraq, the country’s largest Shia alliance, which has a parliamentary majority, has reaffirmed its support for Nouri al-Maliki’s reinstatement as prime minister.

The Coordination Framework “reiterates its support for its nominee, Nouri Kamel al-Maliki, for the premiership,” according to a statement released on Saturday.

“The selection of the prime minister is solely an Iraqi constitutional matter… free from foreign intervention.”

Earlier this week, Trump threatened to withhold help from Iraq if al-Maliki was selected as the country’s new prime minister. This is only the most recent of Trump’s and his administration’s increasing number of meddling in other countries’ affairs.

In a post on X on Wednesday, Al-Maliki dismissed Trump’s ultimatum, denouncing the “blatant American interference in Iraq’s internal affairs” and reiterating that he would not drop his bid for the top position.

Iraq, which has traditionally tread carefully between its two closest allies, Washington and Tehran, has been the target of Trump’s campaign to reduce the influence of Iran-affiliated organizations.

Al-Maliki, 75, is a prominent member of the Shia Islamic Dawa Party. During his term as prime minister from 2006 to 2014, he faced escalating friction with the US, accusations of corruption, and a power struggle with Sunni and Kurdish competitors.

After ISIL (ISIS) took control of much of the nation in 2014, he resigned, but he has continued to be a significant political figure, heading the State of Law alliance and keeping close links with groups supported by Iran.

Due to an agreement made following the US invasion that overthrew Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein in 2003, the majority of Iraq’s oil export earnings are stored at the Federal Reserve Bank in New York, giving the US significant influence over the country.