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Shafaq News
17-05-2025
- Politics
- Shafaq News
Iraq's FM: Arab summit signals unity, rejects foreign interference
Shafaq News/ On Saturday, Iraqi Foreign Minister Fuad Hussein noted that the Arab Summit in Baghdad reflected growing consensus among member states and rejected foreign interference in regional affairs. Speaking at a joint press conference with Arab League Secretary-General Ahmed Aboul Gheit, Hussein pointed out that the summit produced a set of decisions shaped by extensive discussions and resulting in 'converging positions on key political, economic, and social issues.' 'Iraq is committed to following through on summit resolutions within the appropriate political frameworks,' the Iraqi FM stated. He stressed Iraq's openness to cooperation with all Arab nations, describing Iraq as a country with a rich, millennia-old legacy that continues to commit itself to strengthening ties with its Arab brothers. Responding to a question from Shafaq News, he described the overall level of participation in the Arab summit as 'positive,' noting that while full attendance by heads of state is rare, all member states were represented through high-level delegations, including prime ministers, foreign ministers, and special envoys. Regarding US-Iran negotiations, Hussein indicated that 'Iraq appreciates Oman's mediation between the United States and Iran and stresses the importance of de-escalation efforts.' 'The fact that we held both the Arab League Summit and the Baghdad Development Summit in Baghdad demonstrates Iraq's recovery—it sends a message of stability that encourages investment and opens new avenues for development and stronger ties with regional and international partners,' he affirmed.
Shafaq News
14-05-2025
- Business
- Shafaq News
Iraq prepares to lead 3 summits, welcomes Trump's visit
Shafaq News/ On Wednesday, Iraq's Foreign Minister Fuad Hussein announced that Baghdad will host and preside over three major Arab summits, highlighting the country's growing regional role amid escalating regional tensions. Hussein confirmed during a press conference that Iraq is proud to host the 34th session of the Arab League Council, the fifth session of the Arab Economic and Social Development Summit, and Baghdad Cooperation and Partnership Conference. Iraq will assume the presidency of all three. He pointed out the Baghdad Development Summit will include two sessions on Saturday—one for the Arab League Council in the morning and another for the fifth development summit in the afternoon—and will conclude with the Baghdad Declaration, outlining a unified Arab position on economic and social priorities, with emphasis on a Gaza ceasefire and humanitarian access. The Iraqi FM revealed that the summits 'may also include proposals to establish an Arab counterterrorism center and an Arab center for combating organized crime.' Additionally, Hussein announced that Iraq welcomes US President Donald Trump's visit to Saudi Arabia, the understandings that had been reached, and appreciates the lifting of sanctions on Syria.
Rudaw Net
27-04-2025
- Politics
- Rudaw Net
Mosul authorities launch campaign to poison stray dogs
Also in Iraq Hussein, Rubio discuss strengthening Iraq-US ties Child survives car crash that killed 3 family members Sudani, anti-ISIS coalition commander discuss transition to bilateral security ties Iraqi FM visits US as Baghdad eyes new security partnerships amid regional shifts A+ A- ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - Authorities in Iraq's northern city of Mosul launched a controversial campaign on Sunday to poison stray dogs in an effort to eliminate them. Rafaat Smo, assistant to Nineveh's governor, told Rudaw that a 'large-scale campaign' to eliminate stray dogs has been launched in Mosul. The authorities have resorted to poison instead of weapons to prevent the sound of gunfire, according to Smo. 'This time, the dogs will be poisoned.' The campaign will initially cover Mosul city center and will later be expanded to areas outside the city, with Smo saying it was launched after people complained that dogs have attacked or harassed them. Mosul has no dog shelter, and the assistant governor said establishing one is difficult due to time and funding constraints. Violence against stray dogs is rife in Iraq and the Kurdistan Region, with the animals often considered a menace and a public health risk. They are commonly shooed away, hit with sticks, poisoned, and killed with cars and gunshots. Animal rights activists have vehemently condemned the practice, urging authorities to address the issue in line with animal rights standards, such as relocating stray dogs to shelters rather than killing them. In January, a large-scale campaign was launched to kill stray dogs in Kirkuk after four stray dogs killed a child. Last year, authorities in Iraq's southern Dhi Qar province killed at least 600 dogs with poison after 11 children were attacked by stray dogs.
Rudaw Net
26-04-2025
- Business
- Rudaw Net
Hussein, Rubio discuss strengthening Iraq-US ties
Also in Iraq Child survives car crash that killed 3 family members Sudani, anti-ISIS coalition commander discuss transition to bilateral security ties Iraqi FM visits US as Baghdad eyes new security partnerships amid regional shifts One dead in Kirkuk due to Congo fever A+ A- ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - Iraqi Foreign Minister Fuad Hussein and United States Secretary of State Marco Rubio met in Washington on Friday to discuss boosting political, security, and economic ties. Rubio and Hussein 'discussed the importance of Iraqi sovereignty for regional security and stability. The Secretary praised Iraq's efforts to promote regional de-escalation and constructive dialogue,' US State Department spokesperson Tammy Bruce said in a statement. During the meeting, Rubio praised Baghdad for hosting 'the first-ever U.S. Department of Commerce-designated trade mission in Baghdad earlier this month, resulting in billions of dollars in agreements with U.S. companies,' according to the readout. In March, Iraq signed energy deals with US firms GE Vernova and UGT Renewables. GE Vernova has committed to producing 24,000 megawatts of electricity, while UGT will implement a 3,000-megawatt solar power project. Hussein called on American companies to 'increase investment in Iraq and contribute to its strategic projects,' according to a statement from his office. The Iraqi foreign ministry said that besides discussing bilateral cooperation and security partnerships, Hussein told Rubio that Iraq is striving to achieve gas independence. 'Iraq has begun taking concrete steps toward diversifying energy sources and reducing reliance on imported gas,' the ministry cited Hussein as saying. 'Iraq will seek to achieve gas independence, and, within the next few years, will achieve self-sufficiency.' Baghdad is stepping up efforts to increase domestic energy production after Washington rescinded a waiver in March that allowed Iraq to import electricity from neighboring Iran. The waiver was revoked as part of Washington's 'maximum pressure' campaign targeting Iran's nuclear and military programs. Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia' al-Sudani has held meetings with energy officials to explore alternatives, including utilizing its natural gas and importing electricity from Jordan, Turkey, and Turkmenistan. Hussein and Rubio also discussed the fight against the Islamic State (ISIS), according to the Iraqi foreign ministry. Hussein 'praised the role of the United States and its leadership of the international coalition in combating terrorism. For his part, Secretary Rubio affirmed his country's commitment to supporting Iraq's stability, commending the joint efforts made in combating ISIS,' the statement said. The Iraqi government has said that it no longer requires the continued presence of US-led coalition troops in its original form. The coalition was established in 2014 in response to ISIS's rapid territorial expansion in Iraq and Syria, following a formal invitation from the Iraqi government. Baghdad and Washington have agreed to end the coalition's combat mission in Iraq by September. In Syria, Iraq is closely monitoring the aftermath of the ouster of dictator Bashar al-Assad. Many in Baghdad are concerned about the jihadist roots of the transitional administration now in place. 'Syria's stability reflects positively on security in Iraq,' Hussein told Rubio, calling for a 'comprehensive political process' that is inclusive of all Syrians and boosts stability. In early December, a coalition of opposition groups led by Hay'at Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) toppled Assad's regime and in late January, HTS leader Ahmed al-Sharaa was appointed interim president. Although the new leadership in Damascus has pledged an inclusive political process, minority groups - including Kurds, Druze, Christians, and Alawites - have censured it as exclusionary on multiple occasions. Hussein has expressed concern about the broader security implications of instability in Syria, especially the potential for extremist groups like ISIS to exploit the evolving political and security landscape.
Rudaw Net
19-03-2025
- Health
- Rudaw Net
Cancer hospital to be opened in Mosul
Also in Iraq Iraq's Sadr condemns renewed Israeli attacks on Gaza Several Iraqi soldiers injured in Shingal clashes: Lawmaker Iraqi FM deplores Israeli attacks on Gaza, confirms clear 'Zionist' threats to Iraq Kurdish farmer released on bail after dispute with Iraqi soldier A+ A- ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - Iraq is set to open a hospital specialized in cancer treatment in the northern city of Mosul in Nineveh province, a member of the provincial council said. Ahmed Dubardani, a member of the Nineveh Provincial Council's health committee, told Rudaw that the hospital is in its final stages and is 'scheduled to be handed over by the implementing company next month and officially opened.' He said that the hospital has 100 beds and is equipped with advanced medical equipment, and it will also reduce the pressure on the Kurdistan Region's hospitals. 'The opening of the hospital will reduce pressure on the Kurdistan Region and other provinces, and reduce the burden on the people, as they had to travel a long distance for treatment which required a lot of expense,' Dubardani said. As cancer rates rise in Iraq and the Kurdistan Region, there is a shortage of treatment facilities. In Sulaimani province, Hiwa Hospital is the only facility offering cancer treatment, drawing patients from across Iraq and the Kurdish regions of Syria, Turkey, and Iran. Statistics from the Kurdistan Region's health ministry in November revealed that cancer rates in the Region have more than doubled over the last decade. Experts have blamed worsening air pollution in the country as the primary cause of high cancer rates.
