Baghdad: The plot to target the head of the Supreme Judicial Council, Judge Faiq Zaidan, represents a significant development that has prompted the Iraqi security services to increase their readiness to the highest level. This potential threat, stemming from an armed group, was identified through precise intelligence, revealing a reaction against the national and sovereign stances recently taken by both the government and the judicial authority.

According to Iraqi News Agency, these threats are closely linked to critical files and sensitive decisions being firmly addressed by the judiciary. Among these is the ongoing effort to limit weapon possession to state control and enforce legal measures against dissenting factions. The objectives also include advancing efforts to combat corruption, as both the government and judiciary are leading an initiative to dismantle major corruption networks, retrieve public funds, and pursue accountability for officials and influential figures previously shielded from scrutiny.

Iraqi government spokesman Haider al-Aboudi confirmed to Al-Iraqiya News channel that authorities are investigating these threats, while political entities have voiced their opposition to the plan targeting Judge Faiq Zaidan. MP Faisal Al-Issawi remarked to INA that the plan or attempt to target Judge Zaidan is unprecedentedly dangerous, highlighting the significant role and influence of Judge Zaidan within the political system and government institutions.

Political analyst Haitham al-Khazali emphasized to INA that an attack on Judge Faiq Zaidan signifies an assault on the Iraqi populace and the state as a whole, given the judiciary’s fundamental role in upholding the state’s integrity and the rule of law. He asserted that the absence of a robust judiciary undermines the state’s functionality, suggesting that those targeting Judge Zaidan are essentially targeting the entire Iraqi nation.

Citizen Saad al-Baghdadi, in a statement to the INA, asserted that the plot against Judge Zaidan threatens the country’s stability, labeling it a futile attempt to disrupt the state’s dignity and revert Iraq to chaos, especially when cities are experiencing security and stability due to collaborative governmental and judicial efforts. He also noted the public’s commitment to supporting the judicial authority and its head to safeguard national achievements, ensure the success of reform initiatives, and maintain state-exclusive control over weapons.

The plot’s implications extend beyond federal institutions, affecting both the Iraqi government and the Kurdistan Regional Government. This included an attack on the office of Masrour Barzani, head of the regional government, symbolizing an effort to destabilize the region. The publication of these details coincides with the state’s determination to enforce weapon restrictions and combat corruption, which has incited tension and opposition from affected parties whose interests are challenged by the rule of law and state authority.