A member of Al-Maliki’s State of Law Coalition warns of ‘Baathist presence’ within government

BAGHDAD — A member of Nouri al-Maliki’s State of Law Coalition, Abdul Rahman Al-Jazaeri, alleged that “Baathist leaders” are present in both the current and previous Iraqi governments. Al-Jazaeri stated that coalition leader Nouri al-Maliki recently warned Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani about the risks posed by Baathist elements. He also accused Raghad Saddam Hussein, daughter of the late Iraqi dictator, of working to restore the Baath Party to power.

Al-Jazaeri expressed concern that Baathists might incite unrest by taking to the streets to destabilize the regime. He warned that they could align with emerging organizations to further their agenda.

In a televised address on Saturday, Al-Maliki urged Iraq to bolster its political and security stability amidst escalating regional tensions. He specifically highlighted threats posed by terrorism, criminal groups, and remnants of the Baath Party, calling on the Iraqi government and political leaders to prioritize national security.

Saad Al-Muttalibi, another member of the State of Law Coalition, supported al-Maliki’s warnings, describing them as “genuine” rather than politically motivated. “The Baath Party is working to reorganize itself, transitioning from the older generation to the youth,” Al-Muttalibi said. “Those who glorify the Baath today are primarily young people, including the children and orphans of former Baathists. This is a real issue, not meant to frighten political forces.”

The Baath Party, which ruled Iraq from 1968 to 2003 under Saddam Hussein, has been banned in the country since the U.S.-led invasion that ousted the regime. However, allegations of Baathist resurgence continue to surface periodically.

Excerpts from Abdul Rahman Al-Jazaeri’s interview with Utv:

Nouri Al-Maliki’s latest speech aimed to alert the government to the danger posed by Baathist organizations in Iraq, noting that the Accountability and Justice Commission has not entirely eliminated them. There are Baathist leaders within the government, and no binding decision exists to remove them.

Raghad Saddam Hussein is engaged in shuttle movement to bring the Baathist agenda back to Iraq. They may propose a moderate project that aligns with some emerging organizations, as the roots of the Baathist system still exist both inside and outside Iraq. We cannot rule out its return to power.

Mr. Al-Maliki, Ammar Al-Hakim, and the Sudani government are not afraid of the Baath Party, yet we cannot exclude the possibility that the Baathist project could be part of a broader Zionist agenda in the region.

Mr. Al-Maliki did not reference the Accountability and Justice Law but pointed to the supporters of the Baath Party in Iraq, noting that images of Saddam Hussein are displayed in various gatherings, and Baathist sentiments remain in the country. Why should we rule out the return of its organizations?

The Baath Party project has partially ended in Iraq but still exists in Jordan and Syria, where meetings occur in these countries and in Europe. At any moment, Baathists could take to the streets demanding regime change.