Latest news with #HamidAl-Shatri
Iraqi News
27-04-2025
- Business
- Iraqi News
Iraq studies reviving oil pipeline across Syria to the Mediterranean
Baghdad ( – In a step aimed at increasing Iraq's oil export channels amid growing regional challenges, Baghdad sent a high-ranking official delegation to Damascus on Friday to investigate the possibility of repairing and running the oil pipeline between the two countries. Under the supervision of Prime Minister Mohammed Shia Al-Sudani, the visit is part of Baghdad's endeavors to bolster its regional ties and revive one of its ancient export pathways to achieve its economic goals. According to a statement released by the Prime Minister's Office (PMO), Hamid Al-Shatri, the chief of the National Intelligence Service, leads the delegation, which also includes officials from the Border Ports Authority and the Ministries of Trade, Oil, and Interior. In addition to cooperation in the areas of counterterrorism and border security, the two sides are discussing the resumption of oil flows through the Kirkuk-Baniyas oil pipeline, which connects Iraq to the Mediterranean coast through Syria. Among the oldest oil export lines in the Middle East is the Kirkuk-Baniyas pipeline, which connects Iraq and Syria. Built in 1952, the 800-kilometer pipeline has a daily pumping capacity of up to 300,000 barrels. Due to regional political and security challenges, its operations have been regularly stopped throughout the years. Reviving the oil pipeline has reportedly become one of the country's strategic priorities, particularly after Iraq's exports through the Turkish port of Ceyhan were suspended for two years. According to reports, Baghdad urgently needs safer and more sustainable alternatives. While the Kirkuk-Baniyas pipeline gives Baghdad an important outlet on the Mediterranean, there are still many technical and security obstacles to overcome. These obstacles include the pipeline's deteriorating infrastructure caused by sabotage during years of Syrian conflict, as well as the enormous expenses for its restoration, which are expected to be above $8 billion.
Shafaq News
20-03-2025
- Politics
- Shafaq News
Source: Iraq forms crisis cell to secure Syria border
Shafaq News/ Iraq has established a national security crisis cell to monitor developments in Syria and implement measures to safeguard border stability, a government source told Shafaq News on Thursday. The cell operates under the direct supervision of Prime Minister Mohammed Shia Al-Sudani. Its members include Defense Minister Thabet Mohammad Al-Abbasi, Foreign Minister Fuad Hussein, Intelligence Chief Hamid Al-Shatri, Sovereignty Alliance leader Khamis Al-Khanjar, and Iraq's chargé d'affaires in Damascus, Yassin Al-Hujaymi, the source said. The Iraq-Syria border, which stretches over 600 kilometers, requires heightened security measures due to the presence of armed groups near key border cities, the source said, adding that challenges such as border infiltration and smuggling have prompted Iraq to establish a "strategic security center to enhance border management." The source noted that Iraq and Syria both face internal challenges, including sectarian tensions in Iraq and Syria's ongoing civil war, warning that these conditions "create openings for external players to assert influence in the region." Beyond these threats, the strategic geographical position of Iraq and Syria—which connects them to Turkiye, Iran, Kuwait, Jordan, and Lebanon—adds layers of political and security complexities requiring coordinated efforts, he added. The crisis cell's formation follows a series of high-level discussions between Iraqi and Syrian officials. On March 14, Iraqi Foreign Minister Fuad Hussein met his Syrian counterpart, Asaad Al-Shibani, in Baghdad to discuss mutual security concerns, including ISIS activity. Hussein reaffirmed that the five-nation operations center, agreed upon at the Amman Conference to counter ISIS movements, will be operational soon. Regional security coordination has gained momentum in recent months. Iraq sent Intelligence Chief Hamid Al-Shatri to Damascus following the fall of Al-Assad's regime in December 2024 for discussions on counterterrorism coordination and efforts to prevent ISIS from regrouping. A month later, Syria and Jordan signed an agreement to establish a joint border security committee to curb arms smuggling, drug trafficking, and manage refugee movements.
Shafaq News
23-02-2025
- Politics
- Shafaq News
Iraq's Intelligence Chief reveals talks with Syrian officials
Shafaq News / On Sunday, Iraqi Intelligence Chief Hamid Al-Shatri revealed the key messages he delivered to Syria's transitional president, Ahmed al-Sharaa, during a meeting in December. Al-Shatri confirmed that communication with Syria's new administration remains ongoing to establish a security framework addressing ISIS, the Al-Hol camp, Syrian military weaponry, and the inclusion of Syria's diverse communities in its future governance. Iraq-Syria Security Talks Speaking at the Baghdad International Forum, Al-Shatri stressed that Iraq's priority is to protect its national interests, and that developments in Syria 'affect not only Iraq but the region,' citing continued 'security vulnerabilities.' He expressed hope that Syria's transition would 'mark a new beginning,' noting that Damascus had sent 'positive signals' and provided insights into the unfolding situation. Concerns Over Security Threats Al-Shatri explained that his visit to Damascus and talks with Al-Sharaa were based on 'strategic considerations,' emphasizing that Iraq 'had never been fully aligned with Bashar Al-Assad's long-standing security threat of a regime.' 'Iraq suffered the most from Al-Assad's rule, as his regime facilitated the entry of hundreds of suicide bombers and extremist fighters to Iraq,' he said. 'Our messages to al-Sharaa conveyed Iraq's support for the Syrian people's aspirations while raising critical issues, including how the new administration intends to engage with its Kurd, Shia, and Alawite communities, who share ties with Iraq.' ISIS Threat and Military Concerns Al-Shatri highlighted Iraq's concerns about ISIS-controlled areas, particularly the Al-Hol camp, which houses around 30,000 individuals from 60 nationalities, as well as 4,000 ISIS fighters detained in Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) prisons, including 2,000 Iraqis. He also warned of the potential for Syrian military weapons to fall into the hands of rogue armed factions, reaffirming Iraq's ongoing engagement with Syria's new leadership to establish a mutually acceptable security framework. Iraq's Cautious Stance Iraq has yet to officially acknowledge Syria's political transition. However, Iraqi Foreign Minister Fuad Hussein recently told France 24 that he had invited Syria's transitional president, Ahmed Al-Sharaa, to a regional summit Iraq plans to host in May, along with Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad Al-Shibani, who was invited to visit Baghdad 'soon.'
Iraqi News
23-02-2025
- Politics
- Iraqi News
Head of the Intelligence Service: Iraq sent clear messages to Syria about security threats
Baghdad-INA Head of the National Intelligence Service Hamid Al-Shatri confirmed today, Sunday, that what is happening in Syria directly affects Iraq, noting that Baghdad sent direct messages to Damascus about security threats, and while he referred to ISIS gang cells in the deserts of Homs and Damascus, he pointed out the presence of two thousand terrorists from the organization's militants from Iraq in Hasakah prisons. Al-Shatri said during his participation in the activities of (Baghdad Dialogue) conference, which was attended by the correspondent of the Iraqi News Agency (INA): "The recent events in Syria represent a turning point in the region," expressing his hope that "this will contribute to enhancing stability, despite some concerns related to the presence of armed groups and places of conflict in the region." He added that "Iraqi and Syrian arenas are closely interconnected, and what is happening in Syria directly affects Iraq, and vice versa, and Iraq has sent clear security messages to Syria about the threats posed by some extremist groups, as Iraq has been harmed in the past period by sending suicide bombers and narcotics across the border." He continued, "Iraq was not keen to support Bashar al-Assad regime in Syria as much as it was interested in knowing the alternatives in case the situation there changed," stressing that "Iraq sent messages respecting the will of the Syrian people." Al-Shatri explained that "Iraq attaches special importance to the issue of fighting the terrorist "ISIS" gangs, as there are still cells affiliated with these gangs in areas such as the desert of Homs and the Levant." He pointed out that there are about 30,000 displaced people in Syrian camps from 60 nationalities, in addition to 9,000 ISIS members detained in Hasakah prisons, including 2,000 Iraqis, and we want to know how the new Syrian administration will deal with this file." Al-Shatri also expressed his concern about the weapons that were seized by some armed groups, including ISIS, after the fall of the former regime in Syria.
