Iraqi parliament candidate killed in car bombing north of Baghdad

• Sunni political candidate killed in bombing north of Baghdad.
• Safaa Al Mashhadani died when a bomb exploded under his car near Tarmiya.
• He was running in next month’s national elections.
• Mahmoud Al Mashhadani called the attack “a cowardly terrorist act.”
• No group has claimed responsibility.

A Sunni political candidate was killed in a late-night bombing north of Baghdad, intensifying tensions ahead of Iraq’s upcoming parliamentary elections.

Safaa Al Mashhadani, a member of the Baghdad provincial council and a candidate in next month’s vote, was traveling near Tarmiya shortly after midnight when an explosive device detonated under his vehicle, according to Mahmoud Al Mashhadani, Speaker of Iraq’s parliament.

The Speaker denounced the attack, calling it “a cowardly terrorist act that sought to undermine the men of stance and principle.” He added, “Tarmiya has lost one of its loyal, virtuous sons who dedicated himself to serving the people, and sincerely and faithfully sought to uphold the values of justice and patriotism.”

Security officials said the explosive had been placed under the car. So far, no group has claimed responsibility.

Al Mashhadani was affiliated with the Siyada Coalition, a Sunni political bloc led by Khamis Al Khanjar. The coalition, which draws tribal backing from Al Anbar and Salaheddin provinces and enjoys support from countries including Turkey and Qatar, condemned the assassination as “an extension of the approach of exclusion, targeting and treachery pursued by the forces of uncontrolled weapons and terrorism, all of which seek to silence free national voices.”

The group praised the slain politician, saying he “fought and struggled for his people and his city of Tarmiyah, against both terrorism and the forces of uncontrolled weapons.”

Tarmiya has long been considered a security flashpoint. While attacks have dropped in recent years thanks to intensified counterterrorism operations by Iraqi forces and their international allies, remnants of Daesh remain active in surrounding rural areas, periodically targeting civilians and security forces.

Prime Minister Mohammed Shia Al Sudani has ordered a formal investigation into the assassination.

Iraqis are scheduled to vote on November 11 in the country’s sixth parliamentary elections since the 2003 US-led invasion that toppled Saddam Hussein. The upcoming contest is expected to be highly competitive, with Shiite blocs, many aligned with Iran, holding the majority in the 329-seat legislature.