WORLD
One of Iraq’s main Sunni parties offices were attacked after it called on Iraqis to vote ‘Yes’ in today’s referendum
BAGHDAD: Iraqis prepared on Friday for a referendum on their draft constitution amid a tight security lockdown as rebels launched triple attacks against a Sunni party which backed the text.
Three offices of the Sunni party and the office of the Iraqi Islamic Party, were attacked. Gunmen set fire to the party's office in the western city of Falluja, and ransacked its office in Baiji, north of Baghdad. No injuries were reported. Many Sunni parties oppose the text, and have called on Iraqis to boycott the poll or vote No.
Security is being increased ahead of the referendum. Iraq's borders have been closed and private cars will be banned from Baghdad's roads for the vote on Saturday.
A new nighttime curfew was imposed from Thursday night and a four-day public holiday is under way across the country, shutting government offices and schools. Iraqi army Maj Salman Abdul Yahid said the attack on the Islamic Party offices "was expected because of its new stand toward the referendum".
Alaa Makki, a senior party official, condemned the Baghdad attack, saying the party would "use the political process to fight terrorism and promote stability in Iraq", a news agency reported.
Earlier this week, the Islamic Party said it would encourage Sunnis to support the constitution after Shia and Kurdish political leaders agreed to consider further revisions after elections in December.
Sunni leaders fear the current proposals may lead the country to split, with a Kurdish north and Shia south, depriving Sunnis Arabs of access to the country's oil resources.
Some 15.5 million voters are expected to walk to around 6,000 polling stations to register their view on the charter.
The election commission says it has managed to set up polling stations even in the regions worst affected by violence, including the vast Anbar province, seen as the heartland of the insurgency.
If voters in three of Iraq's 18 provinces muster a two-thirds majority against the constitution, it will fail. The Sunnis are dominant in four provinces and so therefore effectively hold a power of veto if they turn out in large numbers to vote against it.
Draft constitution
Iraq to be federal, parliamentary democracy
Official languages to be Arabic and Kurdish
Official religion to be Islam but religious freedoms guaranteed
Equal rights for all
Independent judiciary
Elections every four years
Delhi's AQI hits 'poor' as air quality worsens amid pollution crisis, may turn severe from...
US house resolution introduced to formally recognise, commemorate Sikh genocide of 1984
Israel launches strikes on military targets in Iran to retaliate for a missile attack
Farmers to protest in Punjab today against state government over various demands including...
Viral video: Woman's sizzling dance to ‘I don’t know what to do’ sets internet on fire, watch
IND vs NZ 2nd Test, Pune weather forecast: Will rain play spoilsport on Day 3 at MCA Stadium?
Minahil Malik's private video leaks online, Pakistani Tik Tok star files complaint: Is the MMS fake?
DNA TV Show: Lawrence Bishnoi, big revelation behind the code name `Guruji’
BIG trouble for Gautam Adani as SEBI issues show-cause notice to Adani Energy Solutions alleging...
BCCI announces India's squad for Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25, Mohammed Shami misses out
Kalki 2898 AD: Prabhas' epic blockbuster will be re-releasing on big screen, but there's a catch
Viral Video: Man finds cobra inside sofa pillow, leaves internet shivering, watch
'BJP orchestrated this...': Arvind Kejriwal attacked during 'Pad yatra' in Delhi, alleges AAP
First time in 23 years! India register embarrassing record in Pune Test vs New Zealand
David Warner's lifetime captaincy ban lifted six years after ball-tampering scandal, set to lead....
Ratan Tata gave Shantanu Naidu personal loan for studying MBA in Cornell University of Rs...
Meet man, who leads R 150000 crore business, but drives Rs 6 lakh car, doesn't own phone, he is...
Anant Ambani's MIL and Radhika Merchant's mother buys luxury flat for Rs 20.76 crore in...
Aishwarya Rai didn't name herself but gave title of 'most beautiful women' to Abhishek Bachchan's...
Delhi police arrests seven Bishnoi gang shooters, huge quantity of arms recovered
PM Modi and Chancellor Scholz strengthen India-Germany ties, announce visa reforms by...
How can India qualify for WTC Final if they face defeat in 2nd Test against New Zealand?
Watch: Orry steals the show in cow costume as B-Town celebs begin Halloween festivities
Who do IAS officers Tina Dabi, Anudeep Durishetty, Srushti Deshmukh, Pari Bishnoi, others report to?
BRICS unveils symbolic banknote to challenge dollar dominance
'If I don't say...': Here's what Mukesh Ambani was 'instructed' to tell NVIDIA CEO by Nita Ambani
Meet Pune's richest man who owns Rs 750 crore home, has net worth of over Rs 204300 crore, he is...
IRCTC tour package to Andaman starts from Rs 57,230 for 6 days; check all details here
Google Doodle on KK: Self-taught singer sang at hotels before winning the National Award for…
IND vs NZ: Yashasvi Jaiswal makes history in Pune, becomes youngest Indian cricketer to...
World's richest man's net worth jumps to Rs 22724431845000 due to...
Dhanteras 2024: When is Dhantrayodashi? Know date, shubh muhurat, significance
MAMI 2024: Here's why The Room Next Door, A Fly on The Wall stood out at film festival
Youngest Indian student represents India on most iconic international tech platform
PAK vs ENG test: Saud Shakeel near century as Pakistan still trails by 80 runs
Diwali, Chhath Puja 2024: Vande Bharat trains for people travelling home; check route, fare, timings
This restaurant owner refuses to serve food vlogger, says 'Main tum logo se…', watch viral video
PM Modi and German Chancellor Olaf Scholz meet, exchange views on defence, trade, clean energy
Meet Indian who is first female CFO of HSBC in 160 years, not from IIT, IIM, she is from...
IND vs NZ 2nd Test: Team India's flop show continues, all out for 156, NZ lead by 103 runs
Need for a nuanced approach and realistic expectations from BRICS+
Ranbir Kapoor doesn't even gossip, says Alia Bhatt in viral video; Sonakshi, Nargis think otherwise
India, China pull back troops; begin disengagement in Demchok, Depaang in eastern Ladakh
Meet Prashanth Rajendran: The product leader who's making big data safer for millions
Gulmarg terror attack: Security forces launch combing operation along LoC
The impact of studying abroad on career prospects for Indian students