Sunni political blocs in Iraq are launching early preparations for April provincial council elections by forming new parties and alliances — but also pointing fingers at each other. This shows the depth of political conflict in the areas liberated from the Islamic State (IS).

More than a year after legislative elections, Sunni parties have failed to form a united bloc in the Iraqi parliament, though their political leaders boasted about working within the large National Axis Alliance. This alliance, however, became divided between the main Shiite blocs, Hadi al-Amiri’s Construction Bloc and the Sairoon Coalition led by Muqtada al-Sadr.

Currently, three main Sunni parties are vying for the Sunni leadership. The Iraqi Forces’ Union is led by parliament Speaker Mohammed al-Halbusi, and the National Axis Alliance is led by Khamis al-Khanjar. Meanwhile, Osama al-Nujaifi, a former parliament speaker and a former vice president, on Sept. 14 announced the formation of the Salvation and Development Front. The front has the participation of several parliament members, parties and Sunni tribal sheikhs.

The parties are calling for rights for Sunnis who have been displaced by war or were once forcibly disappeared, and for the government to ameliorate the difficult situations in provinces liberated from IS.