Below the surface, a rupture has emerged between Iraqi Prime Minister Muhammad Shia’ Al-Sudani and Parliament Speaker Mohammed Al-Halbousi. The divide between the two political allies has not been made public, nor have media reported on it. But as informed sources have confirmed to Amwaj.media, the clash is real—and far from negligible. The rupture is important because its dimensions impact the relationship between the two top politicians, and in turn the ruling coalition they are both vital parts of.

Mediation behind the scenes

In hopes of achieving reconciliation before tensions rise to the surface, the head of Iraq’s supreme judicial council—Faiq Zidan—brought together Halbousi and Sudani on Apr. 4. The session has not been the only attempt to heal the rift. On the same day, Halbousi and Sudani also met at another venue in Baghdad. That gathering was hosted by Khamis Al-Khanjar, the head of the Sunni Sovereignty Alliance.

However, the most notable effort to bring the two men together took place on Apr. 1, at the Baghdad home of...