Latest news with #Al-Araji
Iraqi News
28-05-2025
- Politics
- Iraqi News
Iraq's security indicatorsare positive, says Al-Araji
Baghdad – INA National Security Advisor Qasim al-Araji confirmed on Wednesday that Iraq's security assessment showed positive indicators of good levels of stability, adaptability, and effective response to existing challenges. He noted that Iraq believes that dialogue is the best way to resolve differences. Al-Araji's media office said in a statement received by the Iraqi News Agency (INA): "National Security Advisor Qasim al-Araji participated in the 13th International Meeting of Senior Officials Responsible for Security Issues held in the Russian capital, Moscow, and appreciated the efforts of the Russian Federation government and officials for their generous invitation to us to review and evaluate various security-related issues." According to the statement, al-Araji affirmed that "Iraq's security assessment showed positive indicators of good levels of stability, adaptability, and effective response to existing challenges," adding that "challenges and threats still clearly exist in the Middle East and North Africa, as well as in Eastern Europe." He continued, "The Middle East region faces grave challenges as a result of the ongoing war in Gaza and the accompanying extremely complex humanitarian conditions, due to the severe shortage of relief supplies and the difficulty of ensuring their safe and sustainable delivery." He also noted that "the situation in Syria continues to escalate due to ongoing Zionist attacks.". He continued, "Intense efforts are being made in Lebanon to achieve a permanent ceasefire and return citizens to the areas from which they were displaced by the war, which will contribute to building stability so that Lebanon can return to a safe, stable, independent, and sovereign country." He noted that "Iraq welcomed the decision of the Turkish Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) to dissolve itself and lay down its arms, which is a strategic step toward consolidating the peace process." He continued, "Iraq continues to closely monitor developments in the region, in coordination with its neighbors and friends, hoping to achieve broader results in the coming period." He emphasized "Iraq's support for all initiatives that contribute to ending the war between Russia and Ukraine, which has cast a shadow over stability in Europe and the Middle East." He explained, "We hope to reach a peaceful settlement through dialogue and understanding, with the support of the international community." Al-Araji added, "Sustainable security is closely linked to sustainable development and political stability, and any threat directed at either of these two paths will have direct repercussions on security at all levels." He continued, "Prime Minister and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, Mohammed Shia al-Sudani, announced the launch of a new National Security Strategy for Iraq for the period 2025–2030. This strategy is the result of significant efforts by the Iraqi National Security Advisor and official and unofficial government agencies, within a comprehensive vision to enhance stability, security, and development in the country." Al-Araji added, "Through Iraq's experience, and the accompanying grave threats and challenges in the field of combating terrorism and confronting terrorist organizations with geographical and international reach, it has become clear that achieving tangible results can only be achieved through effective international cooperation, both bilaterally and multilaterally." He continued, "Iraq has succeeded in combating terrorism thanks to a series of UN Security Council resolutions and bilateral cooperation, including cooperation with the Russian Federation within the Quadrilateral Center." He noted, "We are closely following the developments in the ongoing nuclear negotiations between the Islamic Republic of Iran and the United States of America, recognizing the direct repercussions that the outcome of these negotiations may have on the Middle East and the Gulf region." Al-Araji concluded, "We believe that dialogue is the best way to resolve differences, and we emphasize the importance of high-level international security meetings, given their critical significance, both in terms of the visions and initiatives presented therein and the bilateral and multilateral meetings achieved, whether within the official agenda or on the sidelines."
Iraqi News
19-03-2025
- Politics
- Iraqi News
National Security Adviser, FSC president Discuss Joint Issues
Baghdad – INA National Security Adviser, Qasim Al-Araji, met with the President of the Federal Supreme Court, Judge Jassim Al-Amiri, on Wednesday to discuss joint issues between the advisory office and the court. According to a statement from Al-Araji's office, received by the Iraqi News Agency (INA), the meeting focused on shared legal and security matters, aiming to strengthen the role of the judiciary in upholding the rule of law and safeguarding citizens' rights. During the talks, Al-Araji praised the Iraqi judiciary for its role in ensuring justice and reinforcing the authority of law, emphasizing that a strong judicial system contributes to social cohesion, national security, and stability.
Shafaq News
07-03-2025
- Politics
- Shafaq News
Iraq clarifies US team's entry into Najaf airport
Shafaq News/ On Friday, Iraq's National Security Adviser, Qasim Al-Araji, clarified that a US reconnaissance team entered Najaf International Airport as part of a preparatory mission. The US team was preparing for an upcoming US official's visit to the province according to Al-Araji, who dismissed claims that the incident was linked to the rescue of an Israeli hostage. Al-Araji's media office released a statement saying, "The flight was authorized by the Joint Operations Command, a standard procedure for official delegations to ensure efficiency and adherence to schedules." Addressing speculation about a failed attempt to smuggle a kidnapped Israeli national, Al-Araji rejected the claims as "weak in credibility and content." He added, "If this had been a rescue operation, why prevent the smuggling instead of capturing the perpetrators and freeing the hostage? If the US had such capabilities, they would have either waited for takeoff or intervened directly." Conflicting Accounts While Al-Araji downplayed the situation, security reports provided a different account of the events at the airport. According to a security source on February 24, Iraqi security forces blocked a US delegation from entering Najaf province via the airport without proper authorization. The source reported that eight black-tinted SUVs carrying armed US personnel in bulletproof vests entered the airport without prior coordination, conducting unauthorized searches with specialized cameras inside the terminal. Additionally, two Black Hawk helicopters landed at the airport, carrying a US Embassy official in Baghdad along with armed personnel. The delegation reportedly aimed to visit the province without disclosing the official's identity. However, upon attempting to proceed, Iraqi customs and security personnel intercepted the US team, demanding they surrender their weapons and present official authorization. After refusing to comply, the US personnel were forced to return to their helicopters and depart. Speculation about a possible link to an Israeli hostage rescue operation stems from a previous case, when Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office confirmed in July 2023 that Elizabeth Tsurkov, a Russian-Israeli citizen who disappeared in Iraq months earlier, was being held by Kataib Hezbollah. However, there is no confirmed connection between her case and the recent events at Najaf airport.
Iraqi News
07-03-2025
- Politics
- Iraqi News
National Security Adviser Reaffirms Arrival of US Reconnaissance Team to Najaf Airport
Baghdad-INA National Security Adviser, Qasim Al-Araji, reiterated today, Friday, the arrival of an American reconnaissance team to Najaf Airport. Al-Araji said in a statement received by the Iraqi News Agency (INA): "We confirm what we said regarding what happened at Najaf Airport, which is the arrival of a reconnaissance team for an American delegation that will visit Najaf and meet with the local government. He added, "The flight was with the approval of the joint operations, which is a very natural thing that happens and is done by any official and official delegations to reach the required place to save time and adhere to the timings." He pointed out that "talking about thwarting an attempt to smuggle the kidnapped woman is a weak and incorrect narration, and the simplest response is to say why they thwarted the smuggling? It would have been better for them to arrest them and free the kidnapped woman or wait for the plane to take off and then take the plane to the destination they want and free the kidnapped woman. Regarding talking about America and its high capabilities, we confirm what we said and what we stated."
Shafaq News
06-03-2025
- Politics
- Shafaq News
Baghdad pushes for global action on Al-Hol repatriation
Shafaq News/ On Thursday, Iraq called on countries worldwide to repatriate their nationals from Syria's Al-Hol camp. Speaking at a meeting at the United Nations headquarters in Iraq, National Security Adviser Qasim Al-Araji emphasized the camp's ongoing security and humanitarian concerns, urging governments to expedite repatriation efforts. A statement from the National Security Advisory's office said the meeting included UN representatives, European and Arab ambassadors, international organizations, and officials from Iraq's Ministry of Migration and Displacement. Discussions focused on the impact of the recent US aid suspension on humanitarian operations, particularly on efforts to rehabilitate returnees from Al-Hol and alternative measures to address the funding gap. Al-Araji noted that the Iraqi government made a strategic decision in 2021 to repatriate its citizens from Al-Hol following the defeat of ISIS, despite significant challenges, commending the Global Coalition's cooperation with Iraq in this effort. "Since 2021, Iraq has relocated families from Al-Hol, and several countries have already followed suit," Al-Araji stated, urging other nations to accelerate the process to facilitate the camp's closure. Iraq has repatriated a significant number of families from the Al-Hol camp in Syria. As of the latest reports, Iraq has repatriated around 2,833 families, totaling approximately 11,000 individuals. He also praised the Ministry of Migration and Displacement's role in handling the repatriation process and acknowledged the efforts of countries that have withdrawn their citizens from the camp.
