‘Old guard’ of Iraqi parties, militias dig in against a weak state

FILE PHOTO: Iraqi soldiers take part in an intensive security deployment in Baghdad, Iraq, May 26, 2021. REUTERS/Thaier Al-Sudani/File Photo

BAGHDAD (Reuters) - Iraq's government appears increasingly weak in the face of militias and parties that are expected to entrench their power in an upcoming election, dashing the hopes of protesters who were promised reform, say activists, officials and diplomats.

The Baghdad government has painted an early vote in October as the answer to Iraq's woes, and the West has thrown its support behind Prime Minister Mustafa al-Kadhimi and President Barham Salih in calling for the election, which the United Nations has agreed to monitor.