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46 Attacks on US, Coalition Forces in Iraq & Syria Since Oct 17

Addressing reporters on Thursday, Deputy Pentagon Press Secretary Sabrina Singh said that at least 56 US troops have been injured in these attacks…reports Asian Lite News

Amid the raging Israel-Hamas war in Gaza, US and coalition forces stationed in Iraq and Syria have been attacked at least 46 times since October 17, ten days after the conflict erupted in the Palestinian enclave.

Addressing reporters on Thursday, Deputy Pentagon Press Secretary Sabrina Singh said that at least 56 US troops have been injured in these attacks, reports CNN.

On Wednesday alone, there were two multi-rocket attacks on US and coalition forces at Omar Oil Fields near Mission Support Site Green Village, Syria, and a one-way drone attack on forces at Mission Support Site Euphrates, Syria.

One of the rocket attacks on Green Village resulted in three US troops suffering injuries.

Singh said Thursday that two of the three injured troops received traumatic brain injuries (TBI), and the third was a “non-serious, non-critical injury”.

All three have since returned to duty.

On Thursday morning, a one-way drone attacked targeted forces at Al-Asad Airbase, Iraq. But no casualties or infrastructure damage were reported.

On Wednesday, US airstrikes targeted a facility in eastern Syria used by Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps and affiliated groups.

This was the second time the US has hit facilities used by Iran-backed groups in response to the nearly daily attacks on American forces in Iraq and Syria, which have escalated especially since the Israel-Hamas war began, reports CNN.

On October 26, a US F-15 and two F-16s used precision-guided munitions to strike two facilities linked to Iran-backed militias in eastern Syria.

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Blinken Makes Unannounced Iraq Visit

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken made an unannounced visit to Iraq on Sunday and held discussions with Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shiaa al-Sudani about the need to prevent the Israel-Hamas conflict from spreading, CNN reported.

Blinken’s meeting with al-Sudani in Baghdad lasted for more than an hour. This also marks a significant stop on his whirlwind trip through the region, as per CNN.

The two leaders discussed the conflict between Israel and Hamas and the need to prevent the conflict from spreading, including in Iraq, US State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller said in a statement.

Speaking to reporters after the meeting, Blinken said his discussion with the prime minister was “good and productive”, and added that he made clear that attacks by Iranian-backed militias against US personnel are “totally unacceptable”.

Regarding the situation in Gaza, Blinken said negotiations on a humanitarian pause in the fighting are a “process,” but that US and Israeli teams are meeting Sunday to “work through the specifics, the practicalities of these pauses.”

“Israel has raised important questions about how humanitarian pauses would work. We’ve got to answer those questions. We’re working on exactly that,” CNN quoted him as saying.

According to the State Department, Blinken discussed the humanitarian situation in Gaza and Washington’s “continued commitment” to coordinating with Iraq and our other partners in the region to ensure sustained and safe access to food, water, medical care, and other assistance required to meet humanitarian needs.

The two leaders also discussed the need to ensure that Palestinians are not forcibly displaced outside of Gaza.

Blinken further urged al-Sudani to hold accountable those responsible for continuing attacks on US personnel in Iraq and fulfil Iraq’s commitments to protect all installations hosting US personnel at the invitation of the Iraqi government. He also made it clear that the US will defend its interests and personnel, the statement added.

The US Secretary of State also visited the US Embassy, where he received a security briefing on the threat to US facilities.

Notably, US officials have repeatedly warned against other parties becoming involved in the conflict in Israel. In the wake of the October 7 Hamas attack, Iranian-backed proxy groups have scaled up attacks aimed at US troops in Iraq and Syria, CNN reported.

“We need to continue to prevent escalation of this conflict, its spread to other areas and other theatres. The United States has and we will continue to respond to attacks by Iran’s proxies to defend our personnel in the region, personnel who are here in Iraq and in Syria to help prevent the resurgence of ISIS. We will do what is necessary to deter and, as I said, respond to any attacks,” Blinken said at a news conference in Tel Aviv Friday.

Ahead of his visit in Iraq, Blinken made stops in Israel, Jordan, the West Bank and Cyprus. From Iraq, he will travel on to Turkey, CNN reported. (ANI)

ALSO READ: 88 UN Staffers Killed in Gaza

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US Shoots Down Drones Targeting its Troops in Iraq

Six rockets hit Iraqi military airbase housing US advisers

The CENTCOM went on to say that “in this moment of heightened alert, we are vigilantly monitoring the situation in Iraq and the region”..reports Asian Lite News

The US Central Command (CENTCOM) said that three drones targeting American forces in Iraq were shot down but resulted in minor injuries to the coalition forces.

In a statement issued on Wednesday, the CENTCOM said: “In the last 24 hours, the US military defended against three drones near US and Coalition forces in Iraq. 

“In western Iraq, US forces engaged two drones, destroying one and damaging the second, resulting in minor injuries to Coalition forces. Separately in northern Iraq, US forces engaged and destroyed a drone, resulting in no injuries or damage. 

“We are continuing to assess the impacts to operations.”

The CENTCOM went on to say that “in this moment of heightened alert, we are vigilantly monitoring the situation in Iraq and the region”.

It was not immediately clear who launched the drones or how they were shot down.

The development comes amid simmering tensions in the region in the wake of the ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict.

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Iraq,Turkey Seek Solutions for Water Share Amid Climate Change Impact

Fidan said that the volume of trade between Iraq and Turkey has reached $25 billion so far this year, but it is “lagging behind the real capabilities”…reports Asian Lite News

Iraqi Foreign Minister Fuad Hussein held talks with visiting Turkish counterpart Hakan Fidan to discuss outstanding issues between the two countries, including Iraq’s water share and the outlawed Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) militants based in Iraq.

At a joint press conference after meeting with Fidan, Hussein said on Tuesday that the two sides discussed bilateral relations, including the issue of Iraq’s water share as both countries have been affected by global climate change.

“The main water sources for Iraq’s Tigris and Euphrates rivers come from Turkey, and getting a fair share of water was an important topic of discussion during the meeting,” the Iraqi Foreign Minister added.

Iraq heavily relies on the Tigris and Euphrates rivers, which originate in Turkey, to fulfill its water needs. But the water levels in the two rivers have declined significantly over the years as a result of drought, the construction of dams, and the diversion of water upstream, Xinhua news agency reported.

Hussein thanked his Turkish counterpart “for presenting the idea of forming a joint committee on the water issue,” saying that the two countries need to take joint actions to combat climate change and drought that threaten Iraq’s economy and agriculture.

He said the strong bilateral trade relations benefit the peoples of both countries, noting that “about 850 Turkish companies are operating in Iraq, most of which work in the field of construction”.

For his part, Fidan said that the volume of trade between Iraq and Turkey has reached $25 billion so far this year, but it is “lagging behind the real capabilities”.

He added that the Turkish government “is closely following the water shortage in Iraq and dealing with the issue from a humanitarian point of view”.

Hussein said the two sides also discussed the issue of resuming Iraq’s oil exports via Turkey.

As for the PKK problem, Fidan said that combatting terrorism was among other issues he discussed with his Iraqi counterpart. 

“Our common enemy, the Kurdistan Workers’ Party, should not be allowed to influence our bilateral relations,” he added.

Fidan arrived in the Iraqi capital Baghdad on Tuesday afternoon on a two-day official visit. He is scheduled to meet with top Iraqi leaders, including the Iraqi President, Prime Minister and Speaker of Parliament, before heading to the semi-autonomous Kurdistan region in northern Iraq to meet the Kurdish leaders.

ALSO READ-‘Homosexuality’ term forbidden in Iraq media

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‘Homosexuality’ term forbidden in Iraq media

iraq, flag.

The use of the word “gender” was also prohibited…reports Asian Lite News

Iraq has ordered a ban on the use of the word ‘homosexuality’ on all media platforms, reported CNN.

The official media regulator of Iraq on Tuesday ordered all media and social media businesses operating in the Arab nation to use the phrase “sexual deviance.”

The use of the word “gender” was also prohibited, according to a document from the Iraqi Communications and Media Commission (CMC). It forbade the use of the phrases in any of the mobile applications of all phone and internet providers that it had granted licences to.

The regulator “directs media organizations … not to use the term ‘homosexuality’ and to use the correct term ‘sexual deviance,’” the Arabic-language statement said, according to CNN.

According to a government official, the punishment for breaking the law has not yet been determined but may include a fine.

However, according to CNN, a government official later stated that the decision still required final approval.

Although gay sex is not criminalized in Iraq, members of the LGBT community have been targeted under vaguely interpreted morality articles in the country’s penal code.

Major Iraqi political parties have increased their condemnation of LGBT rights in the last two months, and rainbow flags are routinely set ablaze in demonstrations by Shi’ite Muslim groups objecting to recent Koran burnings in Sweden and Denmark. (ANI)

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Iraq, GCC discuss ways to strengthen ties

Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia’ al-Sudani also met with Albudaiwi on bilateral ties in various fields, especially in security coordination…reports Asian Lite News

Iraq discussed with the visiting Secretary-General of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) the ways to strengthen bilateral relations in various fields.

During a meeting with the GCC Chief Jasem Mohamed Albudaiwi, Iraqi President Abdul Latif Rasheed expressed Iraq’s desire to establish strong political, social, administrative and diplomatic ties with other countries, according to a statement by the Iraqi Presidency on Monday.

For his part, Albudaiwi expressed his full confidence that relations between Iraq and the Arab Gulf states will witness positive developments in terms of electricity interconnections, trade exchange, and other areas, according to the statement.

Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia’ al-Sudani also met with Albudaiwi on bilateral ties in various fields, especially in security coordination and drug control, al-Sudani’s media office said in a statement.

At a joint press conference after meeting with Albudaiwi, Iraqi Foreign Minister Fuad Hussein stressed his country’s strong ties with the GCC states, saying Iraqi foreign policy is “based on developing relations”.

Meanwhile, Albudaiwi asserted the GCC countries’ keenness to ensure Iraq’s security and prosperity and hailed Iraq’s major role in dealing with regional and international issues, Xinhua news agency reported.

Earlier on Monday, Albudaiwi heading a delegation arrived in Iraq’s capital Baghdad on a visit aimed at improving relations between the Gulf states and Iraq.

His visit came a day after Kuwaiti Foreign Minister Sheikh Salem Abdullah Al-Jaber Al-Sabah’s visit to Baghdad for talks with Iraqi leaders in an attempt to end border demarcation and joint oil field disputes.

After 2003, Iraq witnessed a remarkable development in relations with relations with Gulf states, which reopened their embassies that had been closed following Iraq’s invasion under its former leader Saddam Hussein of Kuwait in 1990.

ALSO READ: Iraq prepares for pivotal provincial elections after 10 years

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Iraq prepares for pivotal provincial elections after 10 years

In March, Parliament had set November 6 as the date for the provincial elections…reports Asian Lite News

 The Iraq government announced that provincial elections will be held on December 18, more than 10 years after the last polls took place in April 2013.

The new date was set “in line with the government program approved by the parliament last October”, the media office of Prime Minister Mohammed Shia’ al-Sudani said in a statement.

The elections will cover 15 out of the 18 provinces, excluding the three under the semi-autonomous Kurdistan region, reports Xinhua news agency.

In March, Parliament had set November 6 as the date for the provincial elections.

On Monday, the Independent High Electoral Commission announced in a statement that it has decided to open the door for the registration of alliances and parties wishing to participate in the provincial council elections from July 1 to 30.

Provincial elections were scheduled to take place in 2018 but got repeatedly delayed because of disagreements among political parties.

ALSO READ-Iraq, Jordan explore ties in drug control

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Iraq, Jordan explore ties in drug control

Prime Minister-designate Mohammed Shia' al-Sudani (R, front) and his cabinet members are sworn in at the Iraqi parliament in Baghdad, Iraq, on Oct. 27, 2022. (Iraqi Parliament/Handout via Xinhua/IANS)

The Iraqi Prime Minister stressed that drugs “pose a significant threat to our youth and undermine the social fabric of our societies…reports Asian Lite News

Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia’ al-Sudani and visiting Jordanian Interior Minister Mazen Faraya have agreed to promote bilateral security cooperation, especially in the field of drug control.

During their meeting held in the Iraqi capital of Baghdad, the two sides discussed ways to enhance bilateral relations and security cooperation, facilitate the entry of citizens between the two countries, confront terrorism, and combat drug trafficking, said al-Sudani’s media office’s press statement on Sunday.

The Iraqi Prime Minister stressed that drugs “pose a significant threat to our youth and undermine the social fabric of our societies,” calling for close coordination between Iraq and Jordan to combat the growing challenge of drug trafficking, Xinhua news agency reported.

For his part, Faraya expressed his country’s determination to collaborate with Iraq across various security sectors, with a primary focus on combating drug trafficking through joint efforts and cooperation.

On May 9, al-Sudani vowed to fight a “war on drugs” at the opening ceremony of the first Baghdad International Conference on Drug Control, emphasising that it is no less important than the fight against terrorism.

Illicit drug trafficking in and through Iraq has been increasing since the 2003 US-led invasion. In recent years, drugs are mostly sold and distributed in poor areas in the Iraqi capital of Baghdad and the southern part of the country, prompting the Iraqi authorities to adopt rigorous measures to curb the spread of drugs.

ALSO READ: Iran, Iraq pledge to strengthen ties

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Sisi, Iraqi Parliament Speaker vow to boost ties


Sisi also hailed the current momentum of the relations between Egypt and Iraq…reports Asian Lite News

Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah al-Sisi met with visiting Iraqi Parliament Speaker Mohammed al-Halbousi in Cairo, where they discussed ways of further promoting bilateral relations, said the Egyptian presidency.

During the meeting, the Egyptian President highlighted “the distinguished Egyptian-Iraqi relations and Egypt’s keenness to further promote cooperation between the two countries in all fields,” said Egyptian presidential spokesman Ahmed Fahmy in a statement on Sunday.

Sisi also hailed the current momentum of the relations between Egypt and Iraq, whether at the bilateral level or through the tripartite cooperation mechanism with Jordan, Xinhua news agency reported.

For his part, the Iraqi Parliament Speaker highlighted Baghdad’s close bilateral relations with Cairo.

“He also praised Egypt’s role in restoring stability in Iraq and contributions to consolidate security, stability and development in the region and strengthen Arab unity,” said the statement.

Syrian FM in Egypt

Egyptian Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry held talks with his Syrian counterpart Faisal Mekdad, who is visiting Cairo for the first time in more than a decade, said the Egyptian Foreign Ministry.

The two Ministers “discussed various aspects of bilateral relations and means of advancing and promoting them … in addition to a number of regional and international issues of common concern,” said Egyptian Foreign Ministry Spokesman Ahmed Abu Zeid in a statement on Saturday.

Shoukry reiterated Egypt’s full support to efforts aiming at reaching “a comprehensive political settlement” and achieving national reconciliation in Syria, Xinhua news agency reported.

Achieving a comprehensive political settlement “will put an end to foreign interference in Syrian affairs, guarantee the restoration of full security and stability of Syria, preserve its territorial integrity and sovereignty, protect its people’s resources and eliminate all forms of terrorism,” he said.

Syria’s political settlement will also allow the voluntary and safe return of millions of Syrian refugees, he added.

For his part, Mekdad expressed his country’s appreciation for Egypt’s “supportive role” over the past years as well as Egypt’s humanitarian relief assistance offered following the devastating earthquake in Syria in February.

The Syrian Foreign Minister hoped for “more Arab solidarity with Syria in order to overcome its crisis and restore its historical role in supporting Arab causes”.

Syria has been shunned by many Arab states and its Arab League membership has been suspended since the Syrian conflict started in 2011.

ALSO READ: Syrian FM in Egypt to reset ties

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Iran, Iraq ink security pact

Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi with Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia' al-Sudani during a joint press conference in Tehran. (Iranian Presidential Website)

The Iraqi Prime Minister, for his part, said Iraq’s government and people always appreciate their Iranian brothers’ support and assistance….reports Asian Lite News

Iran and Iraq have signed an agreement on security cooperation in Baghdad.

The deal was signed on Sunday by visiting Secretary of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council (SNSC) Ali Shamkhani and Iraq’s National Security Adviser Qasim al-Araji following their meeting earlier in the day, in a ceremony also attended by Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia’ al-Sudani.

According to the IRNA news agency, the agreement, prepared over the past months, will have an important role in handling and managing the security challenges stemming from the “hostile” actions by “anti-Iran” groups based in the semi-autonomous Kurdistan region of Iraq, Xinhua news agency reported.

The SNSC chief said any tension and crisis in areas along the common border would undermine the two peoples’ security and peace and act as obstacles to the development of the two countries’ border cities. He called for taking “decisive” actions against internal or external tensions and crisis-provoking factors by “nipping them in the bud.”

He added it is of utmost importance to put an immediate end to the “evil” actions of the armed anti-Iran groups and mercenaries as well as the military and intelligence threats by the American forces based in Iraq.

The Iraqi Prime Minister, for his part, said Iraq’s government and people always appreciate their Iranian brothers’ support and assistance.

He added that the signing of the agreement between Baghdad and Tehran indicated that the Iranian and Iraqi officials view the two countries as “united as one”, giving the assurance that the Iraqi government will not allow any party to use its soil to compromise Iran’s security.

At Araji’s invitation, Shamkhani arrived in Baghdad on Sunday morning. He was accompanied by governor of the Central Bank of Iran Mohammadreza Farzin and two Foreign Ministry deputies.

During the trip, Shamkhani also met Iraqi parliament speaker, Mohamed al-Halbousi, and Faiq Zaidan, head of the Iraqi Supreme Judicial Council.

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