The story: Former Iraqi prime minister Haidar Al-Abadi (2014–18) has sparked controversy after charging that his erstwhile Shiite allies pressured him to use armed force against Sadrist protesters back in 2016. His comments, which have been forcefully denied by figures associated with the ruling Shiite Coordination Framework, have ignited debate in Iraqi political circles. Coming ahead of expected general polls next year, the intervention potentially signals the reshaping of alliances within Iraq’s fractured political establishment. 

The coverage: Abadi’s statements were made in a wide-ranging June 24 interview with Al-Sharqiya News. When asked whether the...