Iraq - June 2025

On 17 June, nine judges of the Federal Supreme Court resigned simultaneously (six out of the nine full members and three substitute judges), forcing the Court to suspend its activities. The resignations reflected two main issues. First, the Court was scheduled to review an appeal filed by the country’s President and Prime Minister concerning a 2023 ruling that had challenged a maritime agreement between Iraq and Kuwait, which some analysts interpreted as political pressure on the judiciary. Second, there were internal tensions between Chief Justice Al-Amiri and Judicial Council head Faiq Zaidan, which split the judiciary into opposing camps, with the dispute reflecting broader political disagreements over the Court’s rulings, including the maritime agreement and decisions that temporarily blocked the implementation of laws passed by parliament. Amid this crisis, Al-Amiri resigned on 29 June, and was succeeded by new Chief Justice Mundher Ibrahim Hussein. Following the leadership change, the judges withdrew their resignations, and the Court resumed its functions in early July. Thereafter, the President and Prime Minister also withdrew their appeal against the maritime agreement ruling.

Sources: The New Region, Associated Press, Al-Aalem, Shafaq News, Rudaw, Atlantic Council, The New Arab, 964 Media