Iraq's Hammam al-Hamudi warns of Shia-Shia war plot at Baghdad Dialogue conference

BAGHDAD, Iraq — Hammam al-Hamudi, head of the Iraqi Islamic Supreme Council, warned at a session of the Eighth Baghdad Dialogue Conference on Saturday that there is an attempt to provoke a Shia-Shia war that publicly aims to protect public interests but in reality seeks to undermine Shia political and social influence. Speaking as a leader within the Coordination Framework bloc, al-Hamudi said the presence of the Supreme Religious Authority, religious commitment and the ability of the Iraqi public to read the "malicious conspiracy" correctly would prevent the plot from succeeding, adding that "they will not succeed." On security, al-Hamudi called for the creation of nationally oriented armed forces free from political influence and personal agendas, tasked with protecting the lives, interests and sovereignty of the Iraqi people. He argued that Israel views Iraq as a "fierce enemy" and is attempting to fragment the power of regional states. Al-Hamudi also pushed back against claims of Shia rule in Iraq, saying the government is a consensual coalition built on the participation of all parties. He added that the Coordination Framework monitors the government's policies through expert commissions and operates in the format of a state governing council. No further details were immediately available on other participants or outcomes of the conference session.