Iraq-Lebanon Oil Link to be Revived?
Is the revival of the Iraq-Lebanon oil link just a pipe dream?
The proposal has been raised multiple times over the past few years in talks between successive Lebanese officials and their Iraqi counterparts.
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Shafaq News
2 hours ago
- Shafaq News
Radar warfare puts Iraq's aerial surveillance at risk
Shafaq News A wave of drone and rocket attacks targeting Iraq's radar and air surveillance systems has raised alarms about the country's deteriorating aerial security and its capacity to protect both military and civilian infrastructure. The campaign, marked by the destruction of critical radar units in Baghdad, Dhi Qar, and Kirkuk, has exposed gaps in Iraq's air defense architecture and stirred calls for urgent strategic reform. Coordinated Attacks Attacks on June 24 involving swarms of small suicide drones and Katyusha rockets directly hit Iraqi military radar installations. According to Major General Sabah Al-Naaman, spokesperson for the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, two radar systems were destroyed — one at the Taji Camp north of Baghdad and another at Imam Ali Airbase in Dhi Qar. Al-Naaman confirmed that Iraqi forces intercepted and downed four additional drones en route to separate military sites, asserting that these 'cowardly acts' would not go unanswered. While no casualties were reported, the nature and precision of the strikes prompted renewed concern over Iraq's surveillance resilience. Security sources told Shafaq News that the targeted radar in Dhi Qar had recently intercepted a reconnaissance drone, suggesting that the strike may have been retaliatory. In Baghdad, the Security Media Cell reported that two unidentified drones were detected over the capital. One struck a non-operational radar unit at the Taji base, while the other crashed near a power generator. Separately, drone wreckage was discovered in the Radwaniyah area west of the city. Kirkuk has also emerged as a new hotspot in this wave of attacks. In recent days, the city has been targeted repeatedly by drones and rockets, with particular focus on its dual-use airport. Turkmen MP Arshad Al-Salihi described the situation as a 'dangerous indicator of the scale of the security breach,' demanding an immediate inquiry. 'What's more troubling,' he told Shafaq News, 'is that no one knows where these drones are launched from — and the fact that airport radar systems failed to detect them raises serious concerns.' Despite the aerial assaults, Kirkuk International Airport has continued to operate. Airport spokesman Herdi Al-Salihi emphasized the facility's 'full operational readiness.' Nevertheless, the airport sustained a direct hit earlier when three unidentified projectiles landed within its perimeter. Two landed on the military side and one in the civilian section, causing a minor fire. One person was lightly injured. The fire was quickly contained, and the airport confirmed that no structural damage occurred. Drone Campaign Undermines Air Control Security observers and defense experts have begun referring to the pattern of attacks as an emerging form of 'radar warfare.' Brigadier General Ammar Al-Azzawi cautioned that low-flying drones present a unique challenge, as they can evade standard radar detection systems without advanced early warning integration. 'The only way forward,' Al-Azzawi argued, 'is to integrate all civil and military radar systems into a unified national grid and to upgrade Iraq's air defense platforms to counter modern threats.' Observers believe these are not random acts of sabotage but coordinated elements of an intelligence-driven campaign, as shown by their near-simultaneous strikes across distant provinces. As drone warfare reshapes the battlefield across the region, Iraq's continued exposure could leave not only its military infrastructure but also its civilian aviation and population centers vulnerable to paralyzing strikes.
Shafaq News
2 hours ago
- Shafaq News
Lebanese Army urges caution on Syrian Border reports
Shafaq News – Beirut The Lebanese Army renewed its call for accuracy in media reporting on border security developments, particularly in sensitive areas along the Lebanese-Syrian frontier. In a statement on Saturday, the army warned that misinformation and speculation could provoke internal unrest and undermine national stability, urging media outlets to rely solely on official statements for reliable updates. The military stressed that its coordination with Syrian authorities remains ongoing and that regular security procedures are being implemented to monitor and secure the border. This comes amid growing unease over reported military activity and cross-border tensions. إلحاقًا بالبيان الصادر بتاريخ ١ / ٧ / ٢٠٢٥ والمتعلق بالتدابير الأمنية للجيش عند الحدود اللبنانية السورية، تعيد قيادة الجيش التشديد على ضرورة توخي الدقة من قبل وسائل الإعلام لدى نشر أخبار تتعلق بالجيش والوضع الأمني، لا سيما في المناطق الحدودية، لما تتركه الشائعات والأخبار غير… — الجيش اللبناني (@LebarmyOfficial) July 5, 2025 In recent weeks, Lebanese and regional observers have noted an increase in Syrian military deployments opposite key Lebanese border areas such as Rachaya, Al-Qaa, and Al-Qasr. Of particular concern is the presence of foreign fighters operating openly near the border, according to Lebanese security sources. These movements have raised fears of potential infiltration into Lebanese territory, particularly through northern areas where some local groups are seen as sympathetic to the new Syrian government but hostile to Hezbollah. Lebanese sources believe that such actors—many of whom hold longstanding grievances from past conflicts—may be seeking retaliation against Hezbollah, which played a significant combat role in the Syrian civil war. Media outlets said that Hezbollah has reportedly repositioned fighters from southern Lebanon to the eastern border in coordination with the Lebanese Army, which continues to struggle with controlling smuggling and infiltration across the 375-kilometer-long border. However, the group did not comment on these reports. Syria, for its part, maintains that its increased presence along the border is aimed at curbing the smuggling of weapons and narcotics—issues that Damascus frequently attributes to Hezbollah-linked networks. These latest developments revive long-standing tensions surrounding the Lebanese-Syrian border, an area historically marked by disputes, ambiguous demarcations, and illicit crossings. Despite the signing of a preliminary border coordination agreement between the two countries in Jeddah last March—following deadly border clashes—implementation has remained limited. The agreement envisioned joint legal and technical committees to address security threats and explore eventual demarcation. In parallel, political discussions have been in place. US envoy Thomas Barrack recently presented Lebanese officials with a multi-point proposal, urging improved security coordination with Syria, the formal demarcation of borders, and the restriction of weapons to official state forces. The Lebanese government has yet to announce its formal position. Prime Minister Nawaf Salam has signaled Beirut's intent to extend state authority across all national territory and to regulate the border through joint efforts with Damascus. The issue of border control has also featured in recent meetings between Salam and Syrian President Ahmad Al-Sharaa. However, no official timeline has been announced for implementing the coordination measures.
Shafaq News
2 hours ago
- Shafaq News
Iraqi MP: Turkiye using water as leverage in dam talks
Shafaq News – Baghdad/Ankara Iraq's water crisis remains unresolved amid sharply reduced flows from Turkiye, with a parliamentary committee affirming that only new dam construction can secure the country's long-term water needs. MP Thaer Mukhayef told Shafaq News that Ankara has linked any increase in water releases to Iraq awarding dam contracts to Turkish companies. He cautioned that failure to honor the bilateral water agreement could trigger widespread protests in drought-hit regions. Mukhayef urged Iraqi authorities to intensify efforts to alleviate severe shortages in the country's southern and central provinces. 'The situation in the southern provinces and the Euphrates basin is dire,' he said. A source at Mosul Dam confirmed earlier to Shafaq News that water releases into the Tigris River have reached 350 cubic meters per second. Although inflows from Turkiye have risen slightly, they remain well below levels outlined in the water agreement. Iraq faces mounting water insecurity due to extreme heat, low rainfall, and shrinking reserves. Experts warn the crisis will have serious social consequences, particularly in the southern marshlands, including rising poverty, reverse migration, and growing tensions over access to water.
