A day after American forces completed their withdrawal, the Iraqi government with Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki issued an arrest warrant for Vice President Tariq al-Hashimi. Al-Hashimi allegedly organized a death squad that killed government officials. The warrant increases the divide between the Shiites and Sunnis, of which al-Hashimi is a member.
Al-Hashimi denied the charges as “fabricated,” and accused al-Maliki of attempting to smear him and destroy efforts of reconciliation between the factions. The tensions have raised concerns in Washington, where officials say they are monitoring the situation closely. “We’re urging all political sides in Iraq to work out their differences peaceably, politically, through dialogue, and certainly in a manner that is consistent with democratic political processes and international standards of rule of law,” State Department spokesperson Victoria Nuland said.
