Hamas relocation from Doha to Baghdad in motion
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Hamas has decided to relocate its political leadership to Baghdad after getting the approval of the Iraqi government.
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Hamas chief Ismail Haniyeh speaks during a press briefing after his meeting with late Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amirabdollahian in Tehran, Iran, Tuesday, March 26, 2024. (AP)
Hamas intends to move its political leadership from Doha, Qatar, to Baghdad, Iraq, in a decision already approved by the Iraqi government, UAE newspaper The National revealed, citing Iraqi lawmakers.
The National noted that last month, the head of the Hamas Political Bureau, Ismail Haniyeh, and Iraqi and Iranian government officials had been discussing a possible relocation to Baghdad. Haniyeh also discussed the matter with Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani during a phone call conversation.
In early June, the movement established its political office in Baghdad and plans to launch a press center there in the upcoming weeks, but is still determining a timeframe for the relocation. Additionally, the newspaper reported that Tehran would handle the security of the movement's members in Iraq.
The decision comes in the light of pressures on the Resistance movement, mainly from the United States, to push it to back down on its non-negotiables regarding the mediated negotiations for a ceasefire in Gaza.
Blinken pushed Qatar to threaten Hamas with expulsion from Doha
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken asked Qatar earlier in March to make Hamas aware of two options: Either to accept the captives and ceasefire deal being proposed by "Israel" and Washington, or risk getting expelled from Doha.
Sources familiar with this matter unveiled to CNN at the time that Blinken delivered this message to Qatar’s Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Sheikh Mohammed Bin Abdulrahman Al Thani during a meeting in Washington on March 5.
US officials said that Qatar understood the message and received it without major pushback.
Read more: What is the real reason behind Qatari PM's remarks on Hamas, talks?
