Two Wounded in Attack on Iraqi Parliamentary Candidate’s Office

Post by : Saif Nasser

Two bodyguards were wounded early Saturday when armed gunmen opened fire on the office of Iraqi parliamentary candidate Muthanna Al-Azzawi, south of Baghdad. The attackers fled the scene in Yusufiyah, around 25 kilometers (16 miles) from the capital, according to a local security source.

Al-Azzawi, a member of the Baghdad provincial council and part of the centrist Sunni Azem Alliance, condemned the assault as “cowardly” and said the attack would not stop him from serving the people. On his Facebook page, he stated: “The attackers will be punished for their actions sooner or later.”

The incident comes just days after another attack targeted Sunni political leaders. On Wednesday, Safaa Al-Mashhadani, a fellow Baghdad provincial council member and election candidate, was killed when a bomb exploded under his car north of the city. Three of his bodyguards were also injured in that attack.

Al-Mashhadani was running as part of the Sovereignty Alliance, one of Iraq’s largest Sunni Muslim coalitions, led by businessman Khamis Al-Khanjar and Parliament Speaker Mahmoud Al-Mashhadani. The coalition strongly condemned the killing, describing it as part of a campaign by “uncontrolled weapons and terrorism” aimed at silencing national voices.

Prime Minister Mohammed Shia Al-Sudani has ordered a full investigation into the Al-Mashhadani attack and called for the swift arrest of the perpetrators.

The attacks highlight the ongoing security challenges in Iraq ahead of the November 11 parliamentary elections, the sixth general elections since the 2003 US-led invasion that toppled Saddam Hussein. Iraq’s 329-member parliament is largely dominated by Shiite parties aligned with neighboring Iran.

In Iraq’s political system, the prime minister is usually a Shiite, the president a Kurd, and the speaker of parliament a Sunni. Despite these arrangements, recent years have seen Sunni candidates increasingly targeted by violence, raising concerns over electoral safety and fair representation.

Analysts say that these attacks could intimidate voters and candidates, potentially affecting turnout and the fairness of the elections. “Attacks on political figures not only threaten individuals but also undermine public trust in democratic processes,” said a Baghdad-based political analyst.

Security forces have been deployed to election-sensitive areas, but the risk of violence remains high. Observers urge the government to strengthen protection for all candidates and ensure a safe environment for voters.

The Al-Azzawi and Al-Mashhadani incidents serve as a stark reminder of the fragile security situation in Iraq, where political tensions, sectarian divides, and the presence of armed groups continue to challenge stability. With less than a month to go before the elections, authorities face mounting pressure to prevent further attacks and secure the democratic process.