Iraqi court reverses former PM Abadi's suspension of security adviser Falih Fayyadh

Fayyadh is also the current nominee for the post of Interior Minister in Prime Minister Adil Abdul-Mahdi's cabinet.

ERBIL (Kurdistan 24) – An Iraqi court on Monday annulled a late August decision by former prime minister Haider al-Abadi to relieve Falih al-Fayyadh of his duties from three security posts in the government.

Abadi’s order was based on Fayyadh’s involvement “in political and partisan work,” according to a statement from his office, adding that such actions run “counter to the sensitive security tasks” entrusted in him.

Fayyadh later objected to Abadi’s decision and lodged a complaint with the competent authorities, claiming the order was “illegal.” Fayyadh held the three posts of Chairman of the Hashd al-Shaabi Committee, head and advisor of the National Security Council.

He also maintains his post as the leader of the Ataa Movement, which, with two seats won in the May 12 election, is part of Abadi’s Victory Coalition that came in third place with 42 seats.

The apparent rift in their alliance came when Fayyadh was purported to have shown his preference for Abadi’s rival, Hadi al-Amiri, who leads the al-Fatih (Conquest) alliance, the second-place holder in the national elections with 48 seats.

Amiri is currently the chief backer of Fayyadh in his nomination for the post of the Interior Ministry, a move contested by Shia cleric Muqtada al-Sadr, leader of the Sairoon coalition, crippling current Prime Minister Adil Abdul-Mahdi’s efforts to complete his cabinet.

In mid-October, the Administrative Court decided to suspend Abadi’s order but did not rule on the decision at the time.

On Monday, the court held a hearing ruled to overturn Abadi’s decision based on the new government’s order to repeal many decisions Abadi’s cabinet issued from July to October.

An official document posted on local media outlets laid out the ruling that obligated Fayyadh to resume his former duties.

Abdul-Mahdi’s repeal of Abadi’s decisions angered the former PM, who said the move aimed to undermine the institutions of the state. Parliament has also made similar moves against Abadi’s government.

Editing by Karzan Sulaivany