Iraq’s Sudani secures ‘major victory’ in general election: sources close to PM

Update Iraq’s Sudani secures ‘major victory’ in general election: sources close to PM
Iraq's Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani (C), delivers a speech during a campaign rally for the Reconstruction and Development Coalition ahead of the country's parliamentary elections in Baghdad on November 7, 2025. (AFP)
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Iraq’s Sudani secures ‘major victory’ in general election: sources close to PM

Iraq’s Sudani secures ‘major victory’ in general election: sources close to PM
  • Sudani has emerged as a major force in Iraqi politics

BAGHDAD: The list backing incumbent Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia Al-Sudani has scored a big win in parliament after elections, sources close to his alliance told AFP on Wednesday.
Sudani’s “Reconstruction and Development list has secured a major victory” following the vote on Tuesday, an official close to the PM told AFP, with another two sources saying the premier’s alliance has “won the largest bloc,” with approximately 50 seats.
Sudani has emerged as a major force in Iraqi politics, after he was brought to power three years ago by an alliance of pro-Iran groups.


Israel opens Zikim crossing in northern Gaza for aid trucks, COGAT says

Israel opens Zikim crossing in northern Gaza for aid trucks, COGAT says
Updated 12 November 2025

Israel opens Zikim crossing in northern Gaza for aid trucks, COGAT says

Israel opens Zikim crossing in northern Gaza for aid trucks, COGAT says
  • UN aid agencies have been calling for the reopening of the crossing for more aid to flow into the devastated northern part of the enclave

GAZA: Israel reopened the Zikim Crossing in northern Gaza to allow humanitarian aid trucks into the enclave on Wednesday, COGAT, the Israeli military’s arm that oversees aid flows, said.
UN aid agencies have been calling for the reopening of the crossing for more aid to flow into the devastated northern part of the enclave, especially after last month’s Israel-Hamas ceasefire.
The UN humanitarian office (OCHA) said that the crossing was shut on September 12 and no aid groups have been able to import supplies since. Israel’s military has not responded to a request for comment on its reasons for the closure.
Some humanitarian aid was allowed into northern Gaza through the south, but more was needed as the northern Gaza City and surrounding areas were officially suffering from famine, a global hunger monitor had said a month earlier.
A COGAT statement said the crossing opened “in accordance with a directive of the political echelon.”
“The aid will be transferred by the UN and international organizations following thorough security inspections by the Land Crossings Authority of the Ministry of Defense,” it added.