Iraqi MPs request questioning of PM, ministers
ERBIL, Kurdistan Region — A number of Iraqi members of parliament have signed a document calling for the questioning of Prime Minister Mustafa al-Kadhimi on “foreign violations” of Iraqi sovereignty, MP Rezan Sheikh Dler told Rudaw English on Tuesday, in addition to questioning other ministers.
The Iraqi Parliament held a session on Tuesday headed by Parliament Speaker Muhammad al-Halbousi in the presence of 186 deputies who voted to question a number of ministers.
Dler said foreign violations committed by Turkey, Iran and other countries must be put to an end.
A document obtained by Rudaw English and submitted by Dler to the Parliament Presidency holds the signature of 43 MPs, requesting the questioning of Kadhimi in the upcoming preliminary sessions.
At least four people were killed in US airstrikes against Iran-backed factions Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF, or Hashd al Shaabi), stationed on the Iraq-Syria border, early on Monday, just two days after drones attacked an area close to the new US consulate in Erbil.
The US Department of Defense announced the attack was at the direction of US President Joe Biden. Iraq condemned the airstrikes as a "blatant and unacceptable violation of Iraqi sovereignty."
"Our question to the prime minister is, why do you accept the violation of Iraq's sovereignty?" Dler told Rudaw English.
During the Tuesday session, the Parliamentary Committee of Agriculture, Water and Marshes revealed that the parliament will host three ministers regarding Iraq's water quota.
Committee member Abdul Amir Taiban said the committee will host the ministers of foreign affairs, culture, tourism and the marshes, in addition to the minister of water resources in the upcoming days.
“Turkey overrun Iraq's water quota, which caused a severe and influential crisis in southern Iraq, which led to the emigration of families from Dhi Qar as a result of water scarcity, and its impact on liquefaction, electricity stations and the agricultural season,” Taiban said.
“The cultivation of the rye crop was canceled in the province," he added.
Tehran is building a network of dams and canals and Ankara has constructed a mega-dam on the Tigris River. Earlier in March, officials have warned that dams built by Turkey and Iran have contributed to a growing water crisis in southern and central provinces of Iraq, as well as the Kurdistan Region.
The Parliament also voted to question the Minister of Oil Ihsan Abdul-Jabbar and the Minister of Agriculture Muhammad Karim al-Khafaji in the next parliamentary session.
"Questioning ministers was discussed, as well as ensuring that there are no provocative statements from MPs or ministers," MP Kataa al-Rikabi, told state media on Tuesday, adding it was agreed to hold three to four parliamentary sessions per week from now on.
Rikabi added the Presidency of Parliament will hold up salaries of MPs who were constantly missing parliament sessions
The Iraqi Parliament held a session on Tuesday headed by Parliament Speaker Muhammad al-Halbousi in the presence of 186 deputies who voted to question a number of ministers.
Dler said foreign violations committed by Turkey, Iran and other countries must be put to an end.
A document obtained by Rudaw English and submitted by Dler to the Parliament Presidency holds the signature of 43 MPs, requesting the questioning of Kadhimi in the upcoming preliminary sessions.
At least four people were killed in US airstrikes against Iran-backed factions Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF, or Hashd al Shaabi), stationed on the Iraq-Syria border, early on Monday, just two days after drones attacked an area close to the new US consulate in Erbil.
The US Department of Defense announced the attack was at the direction of US President Joe Biden. Iraq condemned the airstrikes as a "blatant and unacceptable violation of Iraqi sovereignty."
"Our question to the prime minister is, why do you accept the violation of Iraq's sovereignty?" Dler told Rudaw English.
During the Tuesday session, the Parliamentary Committee of Agriculture, Water and Marshes revealed that the parliament will host three ministers regarding Iraq's water quota.
Committee member Abdul Amir Taiban said the committee will host the ministers of foreign affairs, culture, tourism and the marshes, in addition to the minister of water resources in the upcoming days.
“Turkey overrun Iraq's water quota, which caused a severe and influential crisis in southern Iraq, which led to the emigration of families from Dhi Qar as a result of water scarcity, and its impact on liquefaction, electricity stations and the agricultural season,” Taiban said.
“The cultivation of the rye crop was canceled in the province," he added.
Tehran is building a network of dams and canals and Ankara has constructed a mega-dam on the Tigris River. Earlier in March, officials have warned that dams built by Turkey and Iran have contributed to a growing water crisis in southern and central provinces of Iraq, as well as the Kurdistan Region.
The Parliament also voted to question the Minister of Oil Ihsan Abdul-Jabbar and the Minister of Agriculture Muhammad Karim al-Khafaji in the next parliamentary session.
"Questioning ministers was discussed, as well as ensuring that there are no provocative statements from MPs or ministers," MP Kataa al-Rikabi, told state media on Tuesday, adding it was agreed to hold three to four parliamentary sessions per week from now on.
Rikabi added the Presidency of Parliament will hold up salaries of MPs who were constantly missing parliament sessions