This Why We are Staying Out of It; Iraqi Parliamentary Candidate Killed in Car Bombing

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Iraqi Parliamentary Candidate Killed in Car Bombing

Safaa al Mashhadani, a Sunni Iraqi candidate for parliament, was killed in a car bombing on October 15. He had been running for one of Iraq’s 329 parliamentary seats in the national election set for November 11. The bombing took place in Tarmiya, a town about 30 miles north of Baghdad in Salah al-Din province. (FDD's Long War Journal)

Reactions and investigation

• The United Nations Assistance Mission for Iraq (UNAMI) condemned the attack and urged Iraqi authorities to conduct a “thorough and transparent investigation.” (FDD's Long War Journal)

• Iraq’s Prime Minister, Mohammed Shia al Sudani, also announced that an investigation would be launched. (FDD's Long War Journal)

• The Speaker of Parliament, Mahmoud al Mashhadani, labeled the attack “a cowardly terrorist act” intended to undermine those who stand for principle and service. (FDD's Long War Journal)

• It is unclear whether Mahmoud and Safaa al Mashhadani are closely related, although they are in the same political party. (FDD's Long War Journal)

Background and significance

• Safaa al Mashhadani had served on the Baghdad Provincial Council before running for parliament. 

• He was the first candidate to be killed in this election cycle. 

• The bomb was placed beneath a car—a tactic long used by militant groups in Iraq. (FDD's Long War Journal)

• Some observers view the attack as a politically motivated assassination aimed at weakening the Sunni vote. (FDD's Long War Journal)

• His party, the Sovereignty (Siyada) Alliance, is one of Iraq’s key Sunni political blocs. 

• Safaa al Mashhadani was known for his outspoken criticism of Iran-backed Shiite militias and for being a prominent voice among young Sunni voters. (FDD's Long War Journal)