Arab Summit: Baghdad fully secured with no visible armed presence
Tahseen Al-Khafaji, the Ministry's Director of Media and Moral Guidance, told Shafaq News that "forces from the Baghdad Operations Command and affiliated units are fully mobilized, with all necessary capabilities and resources deployed across all sectors,' highlighting the collaborative effort with the Supreme Security Committee, led by Minister of Interior, Abdul Amir Al-Shammari.
The official emphasized that "preparations have been underway for about a month," with units and resources specifically assigned to support the security plan. 'The approach will focus on intelligence and security measures, without a visible armed presence.'
Earlier today, Baghdad hosted the Economic and Social Council meeting at the ministerial level, part of preparations for the 5th Arab Economic and Social Development Summit.
Iraq Already on Alert
To accommodate the event, the Iraqi government has announced a suspension of public sector work in the capital on Thursday, May 15, and Sunday, May 18 — except for the Ministry of Education — and imposed a ten-day ban on protests.
Prime Minister and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, Mohammed Shia al-Sudani, has directed continuous coordination among security agencies to ensure the success of both the Arab and Development Summits, viewing their successful organization as both a political and security victory.
The Supreme Security Committee revealed that 600 officers and personnel have been selected for high-level protection training, including securing hotels and the airport, while minimizing the visibility of armed personnel.
Beyond security, the country has made significant infrastructural investments to ensure the success of the summits. The Baghdad Municipality has completed 84 projects, improving key roads and areas throughout the city.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Shafaq News
8 hours ago
- Shafaq News
Russia proposes Ukraine land concessions to end war
Shafaq News – Moscow / Washington Russian President Vladimir Putin has set strict conditions for a peace deal with Ukraine, calling for a full Ukrainian withdrawal from Donetsk and Luhansk, along with frozen front lines in Kherson and Zaporizhzhia, Axios reported on Saturday. Sources familiar with the recent US-Russia summit in Alaska indicated that US President Donald Trump and Special Envoy Steve Witkoff presented Putin's positions to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy as well as leaders from the UK, France, Germany, Italy, Finland, NATO, and the European Commission. Putin's plan would transfer more Ukrainian territory to Russia than the reverse. Russian forces currently control nearly all of Luhansk and roughly three-quarters of Donetsk, while advances in Kherson and Zaporizhzhia have slowed. The sources noted that halting operations in Kherson and Zaporizhzhia was offered as a concession in exchange for Ukrainian withdrawal from Donetsk, highlighting ''the central role of territorial negotiations.'' Axios further reported that US officials believed Putin could be open to discussions over small areas in Sumy and Kharkiv. The talks might also include security guarantees for Ukraine, with China mentioned as a potential guarantor, potentially limiting NATO's involvement. These developments followed a summit between Putin and Trump in Alaska earlier this week, marking their first meeting since Trump returned to the political stage. Discussions focused on the war in Ukraine and broader strategic security matters. Putin described the summit as 'extremely productive,' calling it a timely milestone. In turn, Trump highlighted progress in the talks while acknowledging that some disagreements remain unresolved. He further confirmed plans to host Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy at the White House on August 18, with a trilateral summit including Putin under consideration for August 22.
Shafaq News
9 hours ago
- Shafaq News
Putin praises meeting with Trump as 'extremely productive'
Shafaq News – Moscow On Saturday, Russian President Vladimir Putin described his recent meeting with US President Donald Trump in Alaska as 'extremely productive', calling it an important milestone that came at a timely moment. Addressing the presidential administration, government officials, and the State Duma, Putin noted that the discussions covered nearly all areas of cooperation, with particular focus on finding a fair resolution to the Ukrainian crisis. He also urged a 'turning of the page' in bilateral relations with the US, further welcoming a potential visit by Trump to Moscow. The meeting in Anchorage, Alaska, lasted two hours and 45 minutes at the Elmendorf-Richardson military base. The Russian delegation included Kremlin aide Yuri Ushakov and Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, while the US team comprised Secretary of State Marco Rubio and President Trump's special envoy Steve Witkoff. Earlier, Trump highlighted progress in the talks with Russia, while acknowledging that some points of disagreement remain unresolved. He also confirmed plans to host Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy at the White House on August 18, adding that a follow-up meeting with Putin was under consideration.
Shafaq News
9 hours ago
- Shafaq News
Car explosion hits central Damascus
Shafaq News / Damascus (updated at 22:42) A car explosion on Saturday rocked al-Mazzeh highway near the Golden Mazzeh Hotel, one of the busiest roads in central Damascus. Syrian security forces later confirmed that the blast was caused by an improvised explosive device (IED) planted inside an old, long-abandoned vehicle — a vintage Austin model — parked near the highway. Brigadier General Osama Muhammad Khair Atika, head of internal security in Damascus, said the explosion resulted in no casualties or significant material damage. He added that the bomb appeared to have been placed well in advance, and that the site is being thoroughly examined by specialized units to ensure public safety and rule out any additional threats. Earlier today, a local source told Shafaq News that ambulances were dispatched to the location and security forces had sealed off the vicinity while launching an initial investigation. انفـ ـجـ ـار سيارة بالقرب من فندق غولدن في #المزة — المرصد السوري لحقوق الإنسان (@syriahr) August 16, 2025
