Iraqi prime minister criticized for halting strikes on cities

Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi decided to end the bombing of cities where Islamic State (IS) fighters are holed up among the population, a campaign that was causing civilian casualties. The decision has been greeted with general approval, especially as it coincided with the start of extensive aerial bombing of IS sites by a US-led coalition. Abadi, however, has not been spared criticism about the decision, especially among those expected to block attempts at the political reforms outlined in his government program, which has received unprecedented internal, regional and international support.

Abadi has made a series of reforms since taking power in an effort to be inclusive and ensure the unity of the country. Among the measures thus far is the elimination of the Office of the Commander in Chief of the Armed Forces and replacement of a number of military leaders whose names have become associated with various crises and security collapses. Of course, Abadi’s government is only a few weeks old and needs more time to implement many of the reforms he promised. Nonetheless, these past few weeks have already exposed him to criticism, some of it from within his own State of Law coalition.