Iraq’s top court resumes work under new leadership after judges withdraw resignations

BAGHDAD — Iraq’s Federal Supreme Court has resumed its duties under new leadership after nine judges who had submitted their resignations earlier this month reversed their decision and returned to the bench, a court source told 964media on Monday.

The judges’ return follows the appointment of Judge Mundhir Ibrahim Hussein as president of the court after the retirement of Chief Justice Jassim Mohammed Abboud, who stepped down citing “health reasons”. Abboud’s departure came after nine members of the court—six principal and three reserve judges—resigned on June 19, citing internal divisions and political interference.

A source close to the court, speaking on condition of anonymity, said the judges’ decision to return was directly linked to the leadership change.

“The main reason for their resignation has now been removed,” the source said, referring to what they described as “interventions that weakened the court’s independence and distorted its judicial path.”

According to the source, the judges made their return conditional on Abboud’s removal, accusing him of making “individual interpretations” in rulings that allegedly violated the constitution and legal procedures. They argued that such decisions had undermined the credibility and legal standing of the court’s rulings.

With Hussein now installed as chief justice, the court is expected to continue its operations with a full bench.