An Iraqi parliamentary investigation found ex-premier Nuri al-Maliki and 35 others responsible for jihadists overrunning second city Mosul, in a report being sent for possible legal action, lawmakers said Sunday.
While various top commanders and political leaders have long been viewed as responsible for the Islamic State jihadist group's disastrous take-over of the city, the report is the first time they have been named officially. Investigative committee member MP Abdulrahim al-Shammari said that Maliki, who was prime minister from 2006 until last year, was among those named, as did another member who declined to be identified.
The inclusion of Maliki's name was a source of controversy on the committee, with his Dawa party pushing for it to be omitted. The report detailing findings of the investigation, which has yet to be publicly released, has been presented to parliament speaker Salim al-Juburi, who said it will be sent to the prosecutor general for legal action.