Latest news with #Abbasal-Ardawi
Shafaq News
9 hours ago
- Politics
- Shafaq News
Iraq arrests social media activist over viral post
Shafaq News/ On Wednesday, Iraqi authorities arrested activist Abbas al-Ardawi over a social media post alleging that Iraqi radar systems supported Israeli strikes on Iran. Al-Ardawi, a commentator with over 90,000 followers on X and known for backing pro-Tehran factions, claimed in a now-deleted post that radar at the Taji base had assisted Israeli operations. The Defense Ministry, responsible for his arrest, characterized al-Ardawi's statement as incitement, accusing him of defaming the security establishment and spreading unsupported allegations. It stated that while freedom of expression is legally protected, it does not cover content that incites unrest or circulates baseless claims—particularly during periods of heightened regional tension, and urged media professionals and online users to act responsibly in their public messaging. The arrest is one of many cases in Iraq's crackdown targeting dissent. Since the October 2019 Tishreen protest movement, at least 34 activists have been killed and 81 assassination attempts documented, according to a European Union rights assessment. During the same period, Iraqi authorities have carried out an estimated 4,600 arrests linked to protest activity. Rights groups report that many slain activists were targeted by unidentified gunmen, often suspected of ties to armed factions, while prosecutions remain rare, and accountability elusive.
Express Tribune
9 hours ago
- Politics
- Express Tribune
Iraq arrests analyst who claimed radar system supported Israel
Two UH-60 Black Hawk helicopters from the 1st Air Cavalry Brigade, 1st Cavalry Division, approach for landing at Camp Taji in Baghdad. (File photo: Reuters) Listen to article A political commentator was arrested by Iraqi authorities on Wednesday over a post alleging that a military radar system struck by a drone had been used to help Israel in its war against Iran. After a court issued a warrant, the defence ministry said that Iraqi forces arrested Abbas al-Ardawi for sharing content online that included "incitement intended to insult and defame the security institution". In a post on X, which was later deleted but has circulated on social media as a screenshot, Ardawi told his more than 90,000 followers that "a French radar in the Taji base served the Israeli aggression" and was eliminated. Early Tuesday, hours before a ceasefire ended the 12-day Iran-Israel war, unidentified drones struck radar systems at two military bases in Taji, north of Baghdad and in southern Iraq, officials have said. The Taji base hosted US troops several years ago and was a frequent target of rocket attacks. Read: Iran's parliament passes bill to halt cooperation with IAEA There has been no claim of responsibility for the latest drone attacks, which also struck radar systems at the Imam Ali airbase in Dhi Qar province. A source close to Iran-backed groups in Iraq told AFP that the armed factions have nothing to do with the attacks. Ardawi is seen as a supporter of Iran-aligned armed groups who had launched attack US forces in the region in the past, and of the pro-Tehran Coordination Framework, a powerful political coalition that holds a parliamentary majority. The Iraqi defence ministry said that Ardawi's arrest was made on the instructions of the prime minister, who also serves as the commander-in-chief of the armed forces, "not to show leniency towards anyone who endangers the security and stability of the country". It added that while "the freedom of expression is a guaranteed right... it is restricted based on national security and the country's top interests." Iran-backed groups have criticised US deployment in Iraq as part of an anti-jihadist coalition, saying the American forces allowed Israel to use Iraq's airspace. The US-led coalition also includes French troops, who have been training Iraqi forces. There is no known French deployment at the Taji base. The Iran-Israel war had forced Baghdad to close its airspace, before reopening on Tuesday shortly after US President Donald Trump announced a ceasefire.
New Straits Times
13 hours ago
- Politics
- New Straits Times
Iraq arrests commentator over online post on Iran-Israel war
BAGHDAD: Iraqi authorities said they arrested a political commentator on Wednesday over a post alleging that a military radar system struck by a drone had been used to help Israel in its war against Iran. After a court issued a warrant, the defence ministry said that Iraqi forces arrested Abbas al-Ardawi for sharing content online that included "incitement intended to insult and defame the security institution." In a post on X, which was later deleted but has circulated on social media as a screenshot, Ardawi told his more than 90,000 followers that "a French radar in the Taji base served the Israeli aggression" and was eliminated. Early Tuesday, hours before a ceasefire ended the 12-day Iran-Israel war, unidentified drones struck radar systems at two military bases in Taji, north of Baghdad, and in southern Iraq, officials have said. The Taji base hosted US troops several years ago and was a frequent target of rocket attacks. There has been no claim of responsibility for the latest drone attacks, which also struck radar systems at the Imam Ali airbase in Dhi Qar province. A source close to Iran-backed groups in Iraq told AFP that the armed factions have nothing to do with the attacks. Ardawi is seen as a supporter of Iran-aligned armed groups who had launched attack US forces in the region in the past, and of the pro-Tehran Coordination Framework, a powerful political coalition that holds a parliamentary majority. The Iraqi defence ministry said that Ardawi's arrest was made on the instructions of the prime minister, who also serves as the commander-in-chief of the armed forces, "not to show leniency towards anyone who endangers the security and stability of the country." It added that while "the freedom of expression is a guaranteed right... it is restricted based on national security and the country's top interests." Iran-backed groups have criticised US deployment in Iraq, saying the American forces allowed Israel to use Iraq's airspace. The US-led coalition also includes French troops, who have been training Iraqi forces. There is no known French deployment at the Taji base.
