Wednesday 15/October/2025 – 12:44 PM
Today, Wednesday, the Iraqi capital, Baghdad, was rocked by the assassination of the candidate for the parliamentary elections, Safaa al-Mashhadani, a member of the Baghdad Provincial Council and one of the most prominent faces of the Sovereignty Alliance, the largest Sunni political bloc in the country.
The assassination of Safaa Al-Mashhadani
Al-Mashhadani was killed north of Baghdad in the Tarmiyah district following the explosion of an explosive device targeting his convoy, hours after a field tour during which he met with the people, pledging to work to improve the infrastructure and services in the region.
Al-Mashhadani is known for his frank positions against armed groups and his criticism of preventing the return of Jurf al-Sakhar residents to their homes, which made him one of the controversial figures in the Iraqi political scene.
The crime sparked a widespread wave of condemnation in political and popular circles, amid demands to open an urgent investigation and prosecute the perpetrators, in addition to ensuring protection for the rest of the candidates as the parliamentary elections approach.
Observers believe that the incident may repeat the cycle of assassinations and political violence that often accompany electoral elections in Iraq, threatening the stability of the democratic process and putting the government before a new security test.
