Tag: IRAQ

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Arab News Iraq Saudi Arabia

Iran, Saudi delegations to meet in Baghdad

Iran's Foreign Minister

Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir Abdollahian announced that a new round of talks between delegations from Tehran and Saudi Arabia will take place in the Iraqi capital of Baghdad on Friday in efforts to normalise ties…reports Asian Lite News

With the efforts of Iraq, “we will participate in the next round of talks between Tehran and Riyadh tomorrow (Friday)”, Xinhua news agency quoted Amir Abdollahian as saying at a joint press conference on Thursday with his visiting Iraqi counterpart Fuad Hussein.

Iran, Saudi delegations to meet in Baghdad

“I would like to emphasise that in the last round of talks, we presented a set of practical and constructive proposals to the Saudi side. The delegations of the two countries will meet in Baghdad in the near future and will work on the implementation of the next phase of the agreement,” he said.

The Iranian top diplomat expressed his gratitude to the Iraqi government for its efforts to help resolve the “misunderstandings” between Tehran and Riyadh.

ALSO READ: ENVOY DEATH: Iran Blames Saudi

Saudi Arabia cut diplomatic ties with Iran in January 2016 after angry protests were held outside its embassy in Tehran in a reaction to the kingdom’s execution of a senior Shia cleric.

The two countries have recently held four rounds of negotiations, brokered by Baghdad, over resolving their differences.

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Arab News Iraq World

Iraq FM: 417 stranded Iraqi migrants evacuated from Belarus

Iraq FM: 417 stranded Iraqi migrants evacuated from Belarus

The Iraqi Foreign Ministry said that it has evacuated 417 Iraqi migrants stranded in Belarus due to the ongoing crisis at the latter country’s border with European nations…reports Asian Lite News

“A ninth evacuation flight was operated for those who wanted to return voluntarily, with 417 Iraqi passengers on board,” Foreign Ministry spokesman Ahmed al-Sahaf said in a statement on Friday.

The number of evacuated migrants on the Belarusian-Polish border has reached over 3,550, many of whom are women and children, Xinhua news agency quoted the Ministry as saying.

Iraq FM: 417 stranded Iraqi migrants evacuated from Belarus

In an earlier statement, Prime Minister Mustafa al-Kadhimi stressed the importance of taking all “necessary measures to preserve the security and safety of Iraqi citizens, and work to avoid any Iraqis becoming a victim of human trafficking networks”.

Since August, thousands of migrants, most of whom are from Iraq, Syria and Yemen, have been stranded at the border between Belarus and its neighbours, seeking to enter the EU territory.

ALSO READ: EU plans sanctions against companies that help smuggle migrants

However, more migrants arrived at the Belarusian side of the border with Poland in November.

Numerous clashes have occurred on Belarus’s borders with Poland, Latvia and Lithuania.

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Iraq, UK hold talks over withdrawal of coalition forces

They also discussed the cooperation between the two countries in the war against the Islamic State (IS) terror group, and the means to boost bilateral ties in various fields…reports Asian Lite News

Iraqi Prime Minister Mustafa al-Kadhimi and British Foreign Secretary Liz Truss discussed the withdrawal of US-led coalition forces from Iraq.

During their phone call on Monday, Al-Kadhimi and Truss discussed the coordination between Baghdad and London regarding ending the combat role of the US-led coalition forces and shifting to advise and support role to enhance security and stability in Iraq and the region, Xinhua news agency.

They also discussed the cooperation between the two countries in the war against the Islamic State (IS) terror group, and the means to boost bilateral ties in various fields, according to a statement from the Prime Minister’s Office.

On November 24, Tahseen al-Khafaji, spokesman of the Iraqi Joint Operations Command, said the foreign combat forces would leave the country within 15 days, except for some advisers who will stay to support the domestic forces.

“Ending the presence of the foreign forces is proceeding according to the plan, and there is no military base for them except for limited presence in Ayn al-Asad Air Base in the western province of Anbar,” al-Khafaji said.

On January 5, 2020, the Iraqi Parliament passed a resolution requiring the government to end the presence of foreign forces in the country.

In July this year, the US and Iraq held a session of strategic dialogue, during which the two countries agreed on withdrawing all American combat troops by December 31.

ALSO READ: Iraq’s crude exports exceed 98mn barrels in November

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Arab News Iraq World

Iraq’s crude exports exceed 98mn barrels in November

Iraqi Ministry of Oil has said that the country exported 98.19 million barrels of crude oil in November, bringing in revenues of about $7.59 billion…reports Asian Lite News

The average selling price for crude oil in November was $77.33 per barrel, according to a Ministry statement, citing statistics of the State Organization for Marketing of Oil.

Nearly 95.86 million barrels were exported from oil fields in central and southern Iraq through the Port of Basra, while about 2.32 million barrels from the northern province of Kirkuk through the Turkish port of Ceyhan on the Mediterranean during November, the statement said.

Iraq’s crude exports exceed 98mn barrels in November

It added that crude oil exports for November were at an average of 3.27 million barrels per day, Xinhua news agency reported.

Iraq used to export more than 100 million barrels per month with higher revenues, but the OPEC Plus agreement to cut oil production and a dip in oil prices due to impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on the global economy have combined to cause the decline of the country’s oil exports.

ALSO READ: US to end combat mission in Iraq in 2021, confirms Pentagon

Iraq’s economy heavily relies on crude oil export, which accounts for more than 90 per cent of the country’s revenues.

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Arab News Iraq World

Iraq poll body confirms manual recount matches electronic results

Iraq poll body confirms manual recount matches electronic results

The manual recount matched the electronic results, except for a very few invalid ballot papers, which appeared after the audit that they were valid…reports Asian Lite News

The Iraqi Independent High Electoral Commission (IHEC) announced that it has ended consideration of appeals and complaints submitted by several political parties over the results of the October 10 parliamentary polls.

An IHEC statement said the Commission received a total of 1,436 appeals from the country’s provinces, and it took necessary measures to consider the appeals and checked all the ballot papers in every polling station, reports Xinhua news agency.

Iraq poll body confirms manual recount matches electronic results

The statement confirmed that the manual recount matched the electronic results, except for a very few invalid ballot papers, which appeared after the audit that they were valid.

The results of the recount have been presented to the Board of Commissioners, who in turn transferred them to the IHEC’s judicial commission for approval, then the judicial commission will announce the final results.

According to the law, the country’s Federal Supreme Court must ratify the final results.

Earlier, the IHEC announced the full results of the elections, showing that the Sadrist Movement, led by prominent Shia cleric Moqtada al-Sadr, took the lead with more than 70 seats, while the al-Fatah (Conquest) Coalition garnered 17 seats compared with 47 in the 2018 elections.

Political parties unsatisfied with the results said the elections were manipulated and that they would not accept the “fabricated results”.

ALSO READ: Iraq’s cleric warns neighbouring countries against interfering in poll results

Followers of the political parties rejecting the election results took to the streets in many Iraqi cities, including the capital Baghdad.

The elections, originally scheduled for 2022, were held in advance in response to months of protests against corruption, poor governance, and a lack of public services.

A total of 3,249 candidates within 167 parties and coalitions competed for 329 parliamentary seats.

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Arab News Iraq World

Antonio strongly condemns assassination attempt against Iraqi PM

Antonio strongly condemns assassination attempt against Iraqi PM

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has strongly condemned the foiled assassination attempt against Iraqi Prime Minister Mustafa al-Kadhimi…reports Asian Lite News

Through a statement attributable to his spokesperson Stephane Dujarric, the UN chief called for the perpetrators of this crime to be held accountable, and urged Iraqis to exercise utmost restraint and reject violence and attempts to destabilise Iraq, reports Xinhua news agency.

The Secretary-General “urges all political actors to uphold the constitutional order and resolve differences through peaceful and inclusive dialogue”, the statement added.

Antonio strongly condemns assassination attempt against Iraqi PM

Al-Kadhimi escaped the attempt on his life after an explosive-laden drone struck his residence in Baghdad’s heavily-fortified Green Zone early Sunday morning.

According to reports, the exploding drone caused damage to the residence and several of the Prime Minister’s security guards were injured in the attack.

In his latest statement, Kadhimi said that he has identified the perpetrators and “ee will pursue those who committed the crime. We know them well, and we will reveal their identities”.

These perpetrators are the same who killed Nibras Farman, an Iraqi National Intelligence Service (INIS) officer, and they will be brought to justice, the Prime Minister said late Sunday without giving further details.

The assassination attempt came amid protests by followers of political parties rejecting October’s election results.

ALSO READ: UAE condemns assassination attempt on Iraqi PM

On November 5, the protests escalated into a clash with the security forces at the entrances of the Green Zone, which led to the killing of two protesters and the wounding of dozens of security members and protesters.

In the Parliamentary elections on October 10, the Sadrist Movement, led by prominent Shia cleric Moqtada al-Sadr, took the lead with more than 70 seats, while the al-Fatah (Conquest) Coalition garnered 17 seats compared with 47 in the 2018 polls.

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UAE condemns assassination attempt on Iraqi PM

Mustafa al-Kadhimi

The United Arab Emirates has strongly condemned the “cowardly” terrorist attack that targeted the residence of Iraqi Prime Minister, Mustafa Al-Kadhimi, in the Green Zone in the capital, Baghdad…reports Asian Lite News

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation (MoFAIC) stressed that the UAE expressed its strong denunciation of these terrorist acts that aim to destabilise security and stability in Iraq in contravention of all moral and humanitarian principles.

The UAE renewed its full solidarity with Iraq in the face of terrorism, reiterating the country’s keenness to establish security and stability in Iraq.

Iraqi PM calls for dialogue after surviving assassination attempt

Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, on Sunday checked on the health of Iraqi PM following the assassination attempt.

This came in a phone call wherein Sheikh Mohamed reaffirmed the UAE’s solidarity with Iraq and support for its endeavours to establish stability and security and ensure a brighter future for its people.

Al-Kadhimi in return expressed his sincere thanks and appreciation to Sheikh Mohamed for his fraternal feelings, and commended the UAE’s principled position in support of Iraq and its people under various circumstances.

Meanwhile, PM Al-Kadhimi has said that he has identified the perpetrators of the failed assassination bid.

“We will pursue those who committed the crime. We know them well, and we will reveal their identities,” said a statement by the Prime Minister’s media office.

These perpetrators are the same who killed Nibras Farman, an Iraqi National Intelligence Service (INIS) officer, and they will be brought to justice, al-Kadhimi said on Sunday without giving further details.

Before Sunday early morning, al-Kadhimi escaped unharmed from an armed drone assassination attempt on his residence in the heavily fortified Green Zone, which houses some of the main offices of the Iraqi government and foreign embassies.

The assassination attempt came amid protests by followers of political parties rejecting October’s election results.

On Friday, the protests escalated into a clash with the security forces at the entrances of the Green Zone, which led to the killing of two protesters and the wounding of dozens of security members and protesters.

ASLO READ: Iraqi PM calls for dialogue after surviving assassination attempt

In the Parliamentary elections on October 10, the Sadrist Movement, led by prominent Shiite cleric Moqtada al-Sadr, took the lead with more than 70 seats, while the al-Fatah (Conquest) Coalition garnered 17 seats compared with 47 in the 2018 elections.

Political parties questioning the results said the elections were manipulated and that they would not accept the “fabricated results.”

Followers of the political parties rejecting the election results took to the streets in many Iraqi cities, including the capital Baghdad, when the Iraqi Independent High Electoral Commission is still considering the appeals and complaints submitted by the political parties.

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Iraq News World

Iraqi PM calls for dialogue after surviving assassination attempt

Iraqi PM calls for dialogue after surviving assassination attempt

The assassination attempt came amid protests by followers of political parties rejecting last month’s election results…reports Asian Lite News

Iraqi Prime Minister Mustafa al-Kadhimi on Sunday criticized an assassination attempt carried out by a drone targeting his official residence and called for a calm dialogue among all Iraqis for the future of the country.

Al-Kadhimi confirmed in a video posted on his official Twitter page that he and other workers at his residence are safe, stressing that “cowardly missiles and cowardly drones do not build a homeland or a future (for the country), and we are working to build our homeland by respecting the state and its institutions and creating a better future for all Iraqis”, reports Xinhua news agency.

Iraqi PM calls for dialogue after surviving assassination attempt

“I call on all parties to resort to calm dialogue to build Iraq and its future,” al-Kadhimi said in his speech, which was also aired by the official Iraqiya channel.

At dawn, al-Kadhimi escaped unhurt an assassination attempt by a booby-trapped drone that landed on his residence in the heavily fortified Green Zone, which houses some of the main offices of the Iraqi government and foreign embassies.

The assassination attempt came amid protests by followers of political parties rejecting last month’s election results.

On November 5, the protests developed to a clash with the security forces at the entrances of the Green Zone, which led to the killing of two protesters and the wounding of dozens of security members and protesters.

In the parliamentary elections on October 10, the Sadrist Movement, led by prominent Shia cleric Moqtada al-Sadr, took the lead with more than 70 seats, while the al-Fatah (Conquest) Coalition garnered 17 seats compared with 47 in the 2018 elections.

ALSO READ: Turkish Parliament launching cross-border operations in Iraq, Syria

Political parties unsatisfied with the results said the elections were manipulated and that they would not accept the “fabricated results”.

Followers of the political parties rejecting the election results took to the streets in many cities, including the capital Baghdad, when the Iraqi Independent High Electoral Commission is still considering the appeals and complaints submitted by the political parties.

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Arab News Iraq World

Turkish Parliament launching cross-border operations in Iraq, Syria

Turkish Parliament launching cross-border operations in Iraq, Syria

Turkish Parliament has ratified a motion extending authorisation for the government to launch cross-border operations in northern Iraq and Syria for two more years…reports Asian Lite News

The motion, passed on Tuesday, will authorise cross-border operations to be carried out in Iraq and Syria from October 30, 2021 to October 30, 2023, Xinhua News Agency reported.

The previous cross-border motions were only for one-year duty.

Turkey President

The motion also allowed the deployment of foreign armed forces in Turkey with the principles to be determined by the president.

The Turkish army launched Operation Euphrates Shield in 2016, Operation Olive Branch in 2018, Operation Peace Spring in 2019, and Operation Spring Shield in 2020 in northern Syria in order to create a zone free of the Syrian Kurdish People’s Protection Units (YPG) along its border within the neighbouring country.

Turkey sees the YPG group as the Syrian branch of the outlawed Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK).

ALSO READ: Wake up call for India as Turkey joins Pakistan in FATF grey list

Turkish forces frequently carry out ground operations, airstrikes and artillery bombardments against the PKK positions in northern Iraq, especially the Qandil Mountains, the main base of the group, and have been keeping troops in the region.

The PKK, listed as a terrorist organisation by Turkey, the US and the EU, has been rebelling against the Turkish government for over 30 years.

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Arab News Iraq World

Iraq’s cleric warns neighbouring countries against interfering in poll results

Iraq’s cleric warns neighbouring countries against interfering in poll results

Iraq’s prominent Shia cleric Moqtada al-Sadr has warned the neighbouring countries against interfering in the ongoing dispute over the preliminary results of the October 10 parliamentary elections…reports Asian Lite News

“We will not allow any country to interfere with the dispute on the results of the elections, the formation of the government, and so on. Everything that happens is a democratic struggle between members of one people,” al-Sadr tweeted on Sunday after his party appeared as the frontrunner in the parliamentary elections.

The cleric said that if the interfering countries refrain from halting their interference, Iraq will resort to diplomatic means according to the international law as well as “reducing economic relations”, reports Xinhua news agency.

Iraq’s cleric warns neighbouring countries against interfering in poll results

Iraq would not interfere in the internal affairs of the neighbouring countries, Al-Sadr added, noting that the relations between Baghdad and these nationswill not be in accordance with sectarian or unilateral interests.

Iraq held early parliamentary elections on October 10, in showed the Sadrist Movement, led by al-Sadr, took the lead with more than 70 seats, while the al-Fateh Coalition (Conquest), which includes some Shia militias of Hashd Shaabi, garnered only 17 seats compared with 47 seats in the 2018 parliamentary elections.

ALSO READ: Terrorists entering Afghanistan from Syria, Iraq: Putin

The results were surprising to many political parties, who denounced the elections as manipulation and fraud, and warned that they would not accept the “fabricated results” whatever the cost is.

The parliamentary elections, originally scheduled for 2022, were held in advance in response to months of protests against corruption, poor governance, and a lack of public services.

A total of 3,249 candidates within 167 parties and coalitions competed for 329 seats in the upcoming Parliament.