BAGHDAD – Reuters – January 19, 2016 – Iraq’s parliament suspended its meeting on Tuesday amid protests by Sunni Muslim MPs over violence that targeted their community in eastern Iraq.
A statement by Sunni lawmakers urged Prime Minister Haider Al Abadi to disband and disarm the Shiite militias which they accuse of being behind the latest attacks that targeted the town of Muqdadiya.
Two Sunni MPs, Raad Al Dahlaki and Nahida Al Daini from Diyala province where Muqdadiya is located, said 43 people have been killed over the past week in the town and nine mosques were fire bombed. Another MP, Salah Muzahim, said the toll was over 40 dead.
“The Iraqi forces coalition … as the representative of the Sunni component in Iraq, announces … its members’ boycott of the next two sessions of parliament and government in condemnation of what is happening in Muqdadiya,” said a statement read by MP Ahmed Masari, referring to attacks on residents in the town 80 kilometres northeast of Baghdad.
“We demand the dissolution and disarmament of the [Shiite] militias,” the statement said. Lawmakers met briefly on Tuesday and decided to adjourn until Thursday.
The level of violence in Muqdadiya has receded but tension remains as the town is still under the control of Shiite militiamen, MPs Mr Dahlaki and Mr Daini said.
Badr organization, the Iranian-backed Shiite militia which is dominant in Diyala, has established itself as the ascendant militia in the region.
Many Sunnis fled their homes there when Badr advanced in their region.