Iran was monitoring Iraq’s parliamentary elections closely, as polls featured a strong showing for Shiite-majority coalitions aligned with Tehran and Prime Minister Mohammed Shia Al Sudani’s bloc emerged as the front-runner.
Tehran issued congratulatory messages. The celebratory tone stems in part from Mr Al Sudani’s political alliances with figures tied to the Popular Mobilisation Forces.
Yet this optimism has been tempered by growing concerns in Tehran about Baghdad’s push to integrate parts of the PMF into the Iraqi military or curb their autonomy. Such reforms could weaken Tehran’s most reliable allied force at a time when its broader Axis of Resistance network is under strain.
Iraq sits uncomfortably between two powerful rivals. The US wants the influence of militia groups curtailed to limit Iran’s reach, while Tehran views those same groups as a protective barrier against pressure from Washington and Israel. Iraq maintains close ties with both sides, hosting US forces at military bases while sustaining security and trade links with Iran.
Mr Al Sudani's Reconstruction and Development Coalition won the highest number of votes in the elections. The Iran-backed Co-ordination Framework has said it would form a majority bloc. Pro-Iranian Shiite blocs – such as Nouri Al Maliki’s State of Law Coalition and Hadi Al Amiri’s Fatah Alliance – together command more than 170 parliamentary seats, keeping PMF-aligned groups embedded in any workable coalition.
PMF remains a 'buffer'
The PMF is an umbrella group of mainly Iran-backed Shiite militias. It is run by the Iraqi state and includes factions not linked to Tehran, instead receiving orders from holy shrines and others.
For Tehran, though, the PMF’s strategic value has never been greater. Iran’s Axis of Resistance, a network of allied groups across the region, has been battered. Hamas has lost control of Gaza and is now under pressure to disarm. Hezbollah’s command structure has been degraded by Israel’s offensive and a ceasefire that mandates disarmament. Bashar Al Assad’s downfall has severed Iran’s Syrian land corridor and Yemen’s Houthis have suffered heavy US–Israeli bombardment - though they retain missile capabilities.
Hezbollah has also been heavily damaged by its war with Israel, while the November 2024 ceasefire mandates the disarmament of the Lebanese group. In Syria, the downfall of former president Bashar Al Assad has weakened Iranian influence and Yemen’s Houthis have faced strikes from the US and Israel, although the group still has the capacity to carry out missile attacks.
Analysts see a pattern. Nearly every major group aligned with Iran is under pressure. “The PMF in Iraq is like Hezbollah in Lebanon, embedded in society and seen as a protector. The US may apply formal pressure to disarm, but Israel is behind all of this,” Iran-based commentator Ashkan Mombeini said.
Elements within the PMF stand out as Tehran’s least-damaged asset – politically entrenched and militarily unbroken. Any push to disarm or attack the groups, observers say, could erode Iran’s last reliable regional buffer. “Any harm to it is viewed in Tehran as a direct blow,” Middle East analyst Ali Mousavi Khalkhali said. "Their presence constrains both Israel and the 2,500 US troops still in Iraq.”
Iranian arms
Throughout the election campaign, Mr Al Sudani promoted an “Iraq-first” message, calling for the disarmament of non-state actors. He acknowledged efforts to prevent militia groups from escalating the June conflict between Iran and Israel, saying Iraqi forces blocked several planned attacks on US bases.
Mr Khalkhali told The National that, while Mr Al Sudani is trying to maintain a balancing act, he is gradually tilting towards Washington to “keep America satisfied". Baghdad is "effectively gambling on a deeper strategic partnership with the US", Mr Khalkhali added.
Militia groups in Iraq remained largely on the sidelines of the war in Gaza and the 12-day conflict between Iran and Israel. “Those militias in Iraq? Well, they’re still deterred. And their leaders, if they attack Israel, will also be gone,” Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said in his speech to the UN General Assembly in September.
Tehran has maintained a measured silence. Analysts say that posture reflected its confidence in the outcome of Iraq’s elections, which strengthened pro-Iran blocs within the PMF capable of blocking any disarmament bill.
However, reports indicate a parallel move to continue the transfer of arms to the PMF to bolster the group against any pressure. In October, the US Treasury imposed sanctions on dozens of entities accused of procuring drones, missiles and funds - through front companies linked to Kataib Hezbollah – for operations by Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps and Quds Force.
The Centre for Strategic and International Studies has also repeatedly highlighted Iranian missile transfers to units in the PMF, seeing them as part of Tehran’s deterrence strategy against potential US and Israeli operations.
“Evidence suggests Iran is supporting these groups militarily – drones and various-range missiles are in their hands,” Mr Khalkhali said. “This aligns with Tehran’s calculus, seeing the PMF as a deterrent force to maintain influence in the region and confront Israel.”
Tehran, however, has dismissed the claims. Iranian analyst Hossein Kanaani Moqaddam echoed the country's official stance, saying the PMF is an "Iraqi institution, not a proxy of Iran", linking any PMF arms to ISIS remnants.
Iran has denied claims it is involved in the PMF's decision-making, insisting its goals align with Tehran’s but that the group operates independently. “Iran has never instructed its allies – from Yemen’s Houthis to Lebanon or Iraq – to enter a war on Iran’s behalf," Mr Moqaddam said. Each group "acts on its own initiative", he added.
HOSTS
T20 WORLD CUP
2024: US and West Indies; 2026: India and Sri Lanka; 2028: Australia and New Zealand; 2030: England, Ireland and Scotland
ODI WORLD CUP
2027: South Africa, Zimbabwe and Namibia; 2031: India and
Bangladesh
CHAMPIONS TROPHY
2025: Pakistan; 2029: India
Results
6.30pm: The Madjani Stakes (PA) Group 3 Dh175,000 (Dirt) 1,900m
Winner: Aatebat Al Khalediah, Fernando Jara (jockey), Ali Rashid Al Raihe (trainer).
7.05pm: Maiden (TB) Dh165,000 (D) 1,400m
Winner: Down On Da Bayou, Royston Ffrench, Salem bin Ghadayer.
7.40pm: Maiden (TB) Dh165,000 (D) 1,600m
Winner: Dubai Avenue, Fernando Jara, Ali Rashid Al Raihe.
8.15pm: Handicap (TB) Dh190,000 (D) 1,200m
Winner: My Catch, Pat Dobbs, Doug Watson.
8.50pm: Dubai Creek Mile (TB) Listed Dh265,000 (D) 1,600m
Winner: Secret Ambition, Tadhg O’Shea, Satish Seemar.
9.25pm: Handicap (TB) Dh190,000 (D) 1,600m
Winner: Golden Goal, Pat Dobbs, Doug Watson.
Results
Stage 4
1. Dylan Groenewegen (NED) Jumbo-Visma 04:16:13
2. Gaviria (COL) UAE Team Emirates
3. Pascal Ackermann (GER) Bora-Hansgrohe
4. Sam Bennett (IRL) Deceuninck-QuickStep
5. Caleb Ewan (AUS) Lotto Soudal
General Classification:
1. Adam Yates (GBR) Mitchelton-Scott 16:46:15
2. Tadej Pogacar (SLO) UAE Team Emirates 0:01:07
3. Alexey Lutsenko (KAZ) Astana Pro Team 0:01:35
4. David Gaudu (FRA) Groupama-FDJ 0:01:40
5. Rafal Majka (POL) Bora-Hansgrohe
Email sent to Uber team from chief executive Dara Khosrowshahi
From: Dara
To: Team@
Date: March 25, 2019 at 11:45pm PT
Subj: Accelerating in the Middle East
Five years ago, Uber launched in the Middle East. It was the start of an incredible journey, with millions of riders and drivers finding new ways to move and work in a dynamic region that’s become so important to Uber. Now Pakistan is one of our fastest-growing markets in the world, women are driving with Uber across Saudi Arabia, and we chose Cairo to launch our first Uber Bus product late last year.
Today we are taking the next step in this journey—well, it’s more like a leap, and a big one: in a few minutes, we’ll announce that we’ve agreed to acquire Careem. Importantly, we intend to operate Careem independently, under the leadership of co-founder and current CEO Mudassir Sheikha. I’ve gotten to know both co-founders, Mudassir and Magnus Olsson, and what they have built is truly extraordinary. They are first-class entrepreneurs who share our platform vision and, like us, have launched a wide range of products—from digital payments to food delivery—to serve consumers.
I expect many of you will ask how we arrived at this structure, meaning allowing Careem to maintain an independent brand and operate separately. After careful consideration, we decided that this framework has the advantage of letting us build new products and try new ideas across not one, but two, strong brands, with strong operators within each. Over time, by integrating parts of our networks, we can operate more efficiently, achieve even lower wait times, expand new products like high-capacity vehicles and payments, and quicken the already remarkable pace of innovation in the region.
This acquisition is subject to regulatory approval in various countries, which we don’t expect before Q1 2020. Until then, nothing changes. And since both companies will continue to largely operate separately after the acquisition, very little will change in either teams’ day-to-day operations post-close. Today’s news is a testament to the incredible business our team has worked so hard to build.
It’s a great day for the Middle East, for the region’s thriving tech sector, for Careem, and for Uber.
Uber on,
Dara
SPECS
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EEngine%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%202-litre%204-cylinder%20turbo%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EPower%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E268hp%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ETorque%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E380Nm%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EPrice%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EFrom%20Dh208%2C000%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EOn%20sale%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ENow%0D%3Cbr%3E%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
WHAT IS A BLACK HOLE?
1. Black holes are objects whose gravity is so strong not even light can escape their pull
2. They can be created when massive stars collapse under their own weight
3. Large black holes can also be formed when smaller ones collide and merge
4. The biggest black holes lurk at the centre of many galaxies, including our own
5. Astronomers believe that when the universe was very young, black holes affected how galaxies formed
More from Rashmee Roshan Lall
The Saga Continues
Wu-Tang Clan
(36 Chambers / Entertainment One)
Indoor Cricket World Cup Dubai 2017
Venue Insportz, Dubai; Admission Free
Fixtures - Open Men 2pm: India v New Zealand, Malaysia v UAE, Singapore v South Africa, Sri Lanka v England; 8pm: Australia v Singapore, India v Sri Lanka, England v Malaysia, New Zealand v South Africa
Fixtures - Open Women Noon: New Zealand v England, UAE v Australia; 6pm: England v South Africa, New Zealand v Australia
Key facilities
- Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
- Premier League-standard football pitch
- 400m Olympic running track
- NBA-spec basketball court with auditorium
- 600-seat auditorium
- Spaces for historical and cultural exploration
- An elevated football field that doubles as a helipad
- Specialist robotics and science laboratories
- AR and VR-enabled learning centres
- Disruption Lab and Research Centre for developing entrepreneurial skills
Groom and Two Brides
Director: Elie Semaan
Starring: Abdullah Boushehri, Laila Abdallah, Lulwa Almulla
Rating: 3/5
Salah in numbers
€39 million: Liverpool agreed a fee, including add-ons, in the region of €39m (nearly Dh176m) to sign Salah from Roma last year. The exchange rate at the time meant that cost the Reds £34.3m - a bargain given his performances since.
13: The 25-year-old player was not a complete stranger to the Premier League when he arrived at Liverpool this summer. However, during his previous stint at Chelsea, he made just 13 Premier League appearances, seven of which were off the bench, and scored only twice.
57: It was in the 57th minute of his Liverpool bow when Salah opened his account for the Reds in the 3-3 draw with Watford back in August. The Egyptian prodded the ball over the line from close range after latching onto Roberto Firmino's attempted lob.
7: Salah's best scoring streak of the season occurred between an FA Cup tie against West Brom on January 27 and a Premier League win over Newcastle on March 3. He scored for seven games running in all competitions and struck twice against Tottenham.
3: This season Salah became the first player in Premier League history to win the player of the month award three times during a term. He was voted as the division's best player in November, February and March.
40: Salah joined Roger Hunt and Ian Rush as the only players in Liverpool's history to have scored 40 times in a single season when he headed home against Bournemouth at Anfield earlier this month.
30: The goal against Bournemouth ensured the Egyptian achieved another milestone in becoming the first African player to score 30 times across one Premier League campaign.
8: As well as his fine form in England, Salah has also scored eight times in the tournament phase of this season's Champions League. Only Real Madrid's Cristiano Ronaldo, with 15 to his credit, has found the net more often in the group stages and knockout rounds of Europe's premier club competition.
Mohammed bin Zayed Majlis
KILLING OF QASSEM SULEIMANI
SERIES SCHEDULE
First Test, Galle International Stadium
July 26-30
Second Test, Sinhalese Sports Club Ground
August 3-7
Third Test, Pallekele International Cricket Stadium
August 12-16
First ODI, Rangiri Dambulla International Stadium
August 20
Second ODI, Pallekele International Cricket Stadium
August 24
Third ODI, Pallekele International Cricket Stadium
August 27
Fourth ODI, R Premadasa Stadium
August 31
Fifth ODI, R Premadasa Stadium
September 3
T20, R Premadasa Stadium
September 6
Getting%20there%20and%20where%20to%20stay
%3Cp%3EEtihad%20Airways%20operates%20seasonal%20flights%20from%20Abu%20Dhabi%20to%20Nice%20C%C3%B4te%20d'Azur%20Airport.%20Services%20depart%20the%20UAE%20on%20Wednesdays%20and%20Sundays%20with%20outbound%20flights%20stopping%20briefly%20in%20Rome%2C%20return%20flights%20are%20non-stop.%20Fares%20start%20from%20Dh3%2C315%2C%20flights%20operate%20until%20September%2018%2C%202022.%C2%A0%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3EThe%20Radisson%20Blu%20Hotel%20Nice%20offers%20a%20western%20location%20right%20on%20Promenade%20des%20Anglais%20with%20rooms%20overlooking%20the%20Bay%20of%20Angels.%20Stays%20are%20priced%20from%20%E2%82%AC101%20(%24114)%2C%20including%20taxes.%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Zayed Sustainability Prize
More from Neighbourhood Watch
