Ali Al Sistani

Protesters set ablaze Kurdish party office in Baghdad

The incident came after a Kurdish writer criticised Ali al Sistani, which the writer apologised for later on, calling it a “misunderstanding”.

What are the best political scenarios emerging from the Iraq elections?

Without Muqtada al Sadr, Iraq's kingmaker, no coalition government can be formed, experts say. And if it is formed, Sunni bloc’s Halbousi and Kurdish leader Barzani are likely to be in the new government.

Can elections change anything in war-torn Iraq?

With a little confidence in the country's political system, many ordinary Iraqis are likely to stay away from the ballot box while Shia-led parties like Muqtada al Sadr’s group are expected to dominate next month’s polls.

Are divisions deepening between Shia leadership in Iraq and Iran?

For outsiders, all Shia groups know just one master, Iran, a Shia-majority country. But recent escalations between the two Shia groups disprove that understanding.

My time with PMF fighters in Iraq: the proxy wars must stop

The proxy wars are being fought by countries over land that doesn't belong to them and its the Iraqis who are paying with their lives.

Top Shia cleric says Iraq PM must be chosen without foreign intervention

Grand Ayatollah Ali al Sistani urged leaders to abandon partisan politics in choosing a new head of government and said he would have no involvement in efforts to replace Adil Abdul Mahdi.

'Too early to be happy': Iraq’s fate hangs in balance after PM’s exit

Iraqi protesters are concerned whether Prime Minister Mahdi's replacement will be acceptable to the nation, while experts warn that any bold moves by Iran could lead to further bloodshed or worse.

Iraq forces kill 15 protesters as PM opts to resign

Adil Abdul Mahdi says he will step down in response to a call for a change of leadership by the country's top cleric Ayatollah Ali al Sistani, even as more protesters are shot dead in southern Nasiriyah city.

Civil disobedience, not terrorism, is the biggest threat to Iraq’s elites

Iraq's ruling elite fear the unity of the Iraqi people because it directly undermines their divisive rule.

Iraqi protesters rally as UN steps up mediation efforts

UN proposes reform plan, backed by Iraq's Grand Ayatollah Ali Sistani, to end violence that has killed more than 300.

Iraqi security forces kill one, wound 200 protesters

Tens of thousands of Iraqis have been protesting, mostly in Baghdad and southern regions, since last month, demanding sweeping change to the political system established after the 2003 US-led invasion.

Anti-government protests resume in Iraq after bloodshed

Iraq was rocked by demonstrations in early October, first denouncing corruption and unemployment before evolving into calls for an overhaul of the political system.