With ISIS on the ropes in Iraq, now is the time to put in place political solutions that will reduce sectarian strife and prevent the resurgence of ISIS or similar groups, according to the speaker of Iraq’s parliament. “Military victory alone is not sufficient to confront terrorism,” said Saleem al-Jubouri, one of the highest-ranking government officials from Iraq’s Sunni Muslim minority. “It needs to be accompanied by political victory that addresses the mistakes that led to the existence of ISIS in the first place.”

al-jubouri-
Parliament Speaker Saleem al-Jubouri

Al-Jubouri said Iraq is entering a post-conflict stage that requires winning the hearts of the people and convincing them that peace and stability are possible. 

“We don’t need more weapons or training as much as we need open minds and a willingness to co-exist peacefully and respect diversity,” he said.

“It is essential to protect society from all forms of extremism, rejecting the polarization and the militarization of the street, and achieving civility and justice through good governance. We must not allow sectarian interests and propaganda to win the votes of those who are afraid and concerned about an unknown future.”

Delay for Elections?

Al-Jubouri was in Washington to meet U.S. House Speaker Paul Ryan and other American officials as Iraq prepares for elections next May and keeps a wary eye on the increasing regional tensions between the Gulf Arab states and Iran.

He told a public forum at USIP that scheduled parliamentary and provincial elections could be delayed pending “a number of important steps” that include the return of displaced persons, more country-wide stability, and the guarantee of wider participation by Iraqi citizens.

Iraq also will have to settle the status of the Kurdistan region after Kurds voted for independence in a September referendum.

Al-Jubouri said he came to Washington to demonstrate his government’s willingness to confront these challenges, fight extremism, and sustain the security gains made against ISIS. But he stressed that “there is a responsibility by the international community to help us in our efforts to achieve these objectives.”

Disbanding ‘Popular Mobilization Forces’

Another post-ISIS issue Iraq must contend with is the status of the Shia-dominated forces that fought alongside the army to defeat the extremist group. Al-Jubouri repeated the call from other Sunnis for the government to disband the auxiliary units, called the Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF). 

Iraqi Vice President Osama al-Nujaifi, another Sunni leader, made a similar call this month at USIP, saying the PMF are too heavily connected to Iran, which provides them with weapons and training.

Child Marriage Proposal

During a question-and-answer session, al-Jubouri was asked about a controversial proposal in Iraq to legalize marriage for children as young as nine. The amendment to Iraq’s personal status law would allow religious interpretations by clerics of Muslim sects to govern marriage contracts of people in the same sect. It has been widely condemned by Iraqi and international civil society and women’s groups.

Al-Jubouri said he’s against the proposal and stressed that it’s unlikely to become law. 

“One of the things the media has gotten wrong is that it’s not a bill. Right now, it’s only a suggestion, an idea. There are so many more stages it would need to go through to become a bill and then a law. It won’t find a way to be passed,” he said.

Speaker al-Jubouri’s discussion was the latest in a series of conversations with Iraqi leaders at USIP as they visit Washington to share views on their country’s future and America’s role in helping to assure stability. In recent months, USIP has hosted Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi and Vice President Osama al-Nujaifi

In Iraq, USIP works with Iraqi government agencies and non-government groups that promote reconciliation and prevent further violence.
 


Related Research & Analysis

What Does ‘Maximum Pressure’ on Iran Mean for Iraq?

What Does ‘Maximum Pressure’ on Iran Mean for Iraq?

Thursday, March 13, 2025

On March 8, the United States allowed a waiver to expire that had permitted Iraq to buy Iranian electricity. The move was the latest in the Trump administration’s “maximum pressure” campaign to cut off Iran’s revenue streams and push Tehran to negotiate over its controversial nuclear program. The waiver dates back to President Trump’s first term. In 2018, Trump withdrew the U.S. from the 2015 Iran nuclear deal, which had granted Iran sanctions relief in return for curbing its nuclear program and expanding cooperation with the U.N. nuclear watchdog.

Type: Question and Answer

The Current Situation in Iraq

The Current Situation in Iraq

Monday, February 10, 2025

Iraq continues to recover from cycles of conflict that have displaced millions of people and caused widespread destruction. As the country rebuilds domestically and reintegrates into the region and the international community, it also needs to improve governance, diversify its economy and address water insecurity, among other challenges. Iraq also continues to grapple with the lasting human legacies of ISIS, including the reintegration of returnees from al-Hol camp in Northeast Syria and internally displaced persons.

Type: Fact Sheet

Stigmatization Experienced by Families with Perceived ISIS Affiliation in Anbar Province

Stigmatization Experienced by Families with Perceived ISIS Affiliation in Anbar Province

Wednesday, December 18, 2024

This discussion paper addresses the challenge of stigmatization faced by families in Iraq with perceived ISIS affiliation, particularly in Anbar province, where many have lived in the al-Hol camp. This stigma arises from community beliefs about their connection to ISIS through male relatives or past residence in ISIS-controlled areas. Stigmatization impacts these families' ability to reintegrate and includes harassment, rejection, property appropriation, and legal and social barriers. The paper includes key research findings and policy recommendations in response to these findings.

Type: Discussion Paper

How Assad’s Fall Could Impact Iraq

How Assad’s Fall Could Impact Iraq

Tuesday, December 17, 2024

The fall of President Bashar al-Assad earlier this month and what comes next in Syria will likely have significant security, political and other implications for Iraq. The situation is dynamic and could evolve in favor of Iraq’s stability or pose new challenges for the country. Iraq is one of a key group of actors — along with Iran, Turkey, the Gulf countries and the United States — whose actions could significantly impact Syria’s trajectory in the months ahead.

Type: Analysis

View All Research & Analysis