The head of the "Anbar Rescue Council," Hamid al-Haees, stated that the leader of the "Taqaddum" party and the ousted Speaker of Parliament, Muhammad al-Halbousi, has squandered the rights of the Sunni component in political representation within the government. Al-Haees described al-Halbousi as a "thief who has left nothing untouched," expressing that "al-Halbousi has looted the nation of Muhammad." Regarding the ongoing crisis in the presidency of the parliament, al-Haees pointed out that "al-Halbousi harbors animosity towards the candidate for the presidency of the parliament, Salem al-Eisawi, out of envy or fear for his own interests."
He added that Muhammad al-Halbousi adopts a "play if I destroy the field" policy, indicating that the leader of the "Taqaddum" party seeks to obstruct the file of the parliamentary presidency. Al-Haees concluded: "Al-Halbousi does not want a candidate from Anbar to represent the Sunni component for the position of parliamentary presidency."
It cannot be denied that al-Halbousi formed a complex figure in the Iraqi political equation, especially within the Sunni component during his presidency of the parliament through a parliamentary bloc and understandings with Shiite and Kurdish forces. However, observers believe he miscalculated the situation and continued his conflict with a deputy who distanced him from his bloc, which became the reason he lost everything, including the presidential chair.
Corruption operations have significantly declined in Anbar province after Muhammad al-Halbousi was removed from the position of Speaker of the House. This was confirmed by independent politician Muhannad al-Rawi. In detail, al-Rawi stated that "al-Halbousi, in 2018, when he was a governor for six months, managed the province from a distance while the deputy governor at that time, Ali Farhan, was the one managing the affairs and executing al-Halbousi's requests precisely, as confirmed by Farhan in more than one meeting."
He added that "corruption has significantly swelled in Anbar since 2018, and most of the directors of the major departments in the province are accused of corruption and imprisoned," noting that "operations to combat corruption and corrupt individuals in Anbar are ongoing daily."
While al-Rawi stated to Baghdad News that "there is significant political cover to protect corruption and corrupt individuals," he added: "After al-Halbousi left the presidency of parliament and Muhammad Shiya al-Sudani assumed the leadership of the executive authority, and the separation between the legislative and executive powers, operations began to target the lairs of corruption in Anbar."
The independent politician concluded: "Al-Halbousi may not be the primary supporter of corruption in Anbar, but he may be the one providing political cover for the corrupt."
