Prominent Chinese Journalist Hu Xijin: Iran Wouldn't Be in Such a Passive Position Against Israel If It Had Chinese Fighter Jets, Air Defense Systems Like Pakistan Does

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Rudaw Net
6 hours ago
- Rudaw Net
Iraqi authorities arrest PMF members linked to attack on state institution
Also in Iraq Iraq to hit 52 degrees Celsius amid scorching summer Iraq sees drop in wheat production amid summer drought MP says Iraq can withdraw from maritime agreement with Kuwait MPs slam Baghdad for banning Kurdish in disputed areas A+ A- ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - At least one Iraqi officer and several other personnel were injured in an 'armed assault' at an Iraqi agriculture ministry office in western Baghdad on Sunday, Iraqi authorities confirmed, adding that more than a dozen suspects linked to the Iran-aligned Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF) have been arrested in connection with the attack. In a statement, the Security Media Cell of the Joint Operations Command said that 'a reprehensible incident' occurred at the ministry's Karkh district office on Sunday morning, resulting in injuries among security forces. 'Security forces were able to arrest 14 suspects' who were identified as members of the PMF's 'brigades 45 and 46,' the Cell added, noting that the suspects 'have been referred to the judiciary, with legal proceedings underway.' Brigades 45 and 46 are affiliated with the Kata'ib Hezbollah - a powerful Iranian-backed Iraqi armed group designated by the United States as a Foreign Terrorist Organization (FTO). Washington holds Kata'ib Hezbollah, a key player in the Iran-led 'Axis of Resistance,' responsible for numerous attacks on US assets in the region since the outbreak of the Israel-Hamas conflict in October 2023. In response to Sunday's incident, Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia' al-Sudani - who also serves as commander-in-chief of the Iraqi armed forces, including the PMF - 'has ordered the formation of a high-level investigative committee' to probe 'how an armed force acted without official orders or approvals, attempted to seize a government building, and opened fire on security units,' the Security Media Cell added. In a previous statement on Sunday, the Iraqi interior ministry noted that 'the incident coincided with a newly appointed director beginning his duties,' adding that Iraqi federal police units and Karkh emergency patrols 'quickly intervened and came under direct gunfire, resulting in several officers and personnel sustaining various injuries.' The ministry noted that 'search and pursuit operations are ongoing' to apprehend remaining suspects, affirming its strong condemnation and stressing that Iraqi forces 'will not tolerate any party attempting to impose a de facto situation by force or threaten state institutions. 'Upholding the authority of the state and the rule of law remains a top and non-negotiable priority,' the ministry emphasized. This is not the first time Kata'ib Hezbollah has been linked to clashes with Iraqi state forces. Previous incidents include a firefight with federal police in Baghdad in May 2023 and a confrontation with the Iraqi Counter Terrorism Service at Camp Speicher in March 2023. The group has also been accused of participating in the violent crackdown on the October 2019 - Tishreen Movement - pro-reform demonstrations across Iraq and of involvement in the November 2021 assassination attempt on then-prime minister Mustafa Al-Kadhimi via a drone attack on his Green Zone residence. The incident notably occurred shortly after clashes between security forces and supporters of Iran-backed armed groups protesting election results. While Kata'ib Hezbollah has strongly denied involvement, the use of explosive-laden drones, a hallmark of Iran-backed Iraqi armed groups, and Kadhimi's then-perceived alignment with the US fueled widespread belief in their responsibility.


Shafaq News
10 hours ago
- Shafaq News
Iraq's Judiciary: Former Baathists barred from parliament
Shafaq News – Baghdad Iraq's Supreme Judicial Council reaffirmed, on Sunday, its intent to strictly implement the Accountability and Justice Law (Law No. 10). Adopted in 2008 as a replacement for De-Baathification, the law bars former Baath Party members from senior public roles, holds them accountable for past abuses, and allows limited exceptions under specific legal conditions. The announcement followed a high-level session led by Council Head Faiq Zaidan, where Federal Cassation Court deputies met with Accountability and Justice Commission Chief Bassem al-Badri and other officials to review procedures ahead of the November 11 vote and reinforce the need for consistent, transparent enforcement to prevent former regime figures from entering parliament. The Council also warned against using the law for political purposes or applying it beyond its legal boundaries.


Iraq Business
20 hours ago
- Iraq Business
Drone Offensive hits Kurdish Oil Production
From Amwaj Media. Any opinions expressed are those of the author(s), and do not necessarily reflect the views of Iraq Business News . Drone offensive in Iraq hits Kurdish oil production, testing boundaries A wave of drone strikes in Iraq in recent weeks has targeted critical infrastructure, mainly in the Kurdistan region. The attacks have sharpened lingering anxiety over involvement in the Iran-Israel war last month, and come amid heightened political tension between Baghdad and Erbil. The full article can be viewed here.