Latest news with #Qasimal-Araji
Iraqi News
3 days ago
- Politics
- Iraqi News
Bomb-laden drone crashes in northern Iraq
Baghdad ( – The Counter-Terrorism Directorate (CTD) in the Kurdistan region of Iraq said on Monday that a bomb-laden drone fell early in the morning in Erbil province with no injuries reported. The incident reportedly occurred at 5:50 a.m. local time, according to the statement. The directorate affirmed that the drone had explosives but did not cause any damage or deaths. The assault followed a string of similar drone attacks in recent weeks that targeted oil facilities and other important sites in the Kurdistan region of Iraq. Iraq's National Security Advisor Qasim al-Araji, accompanied by senior security officials, arrived in the capital of the Kurdistan region of Iraq, Erbil, on Monday to look into a series of drone and missile attacks that recently targeted several sites in northern Iraq. Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani formed a commission to investigate the attacks, but the results have not been made available to the public. Last week, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio emphasized the necessity of holding responsible those involved in the recent attacks on Iraq's energy infrastructure. Rubio also emphasized the need to take measures to prevent future attacks, according to a statement released by the US Department of State. Spokesperson of the US State Department Tammy Bruce said in a press briefing on Thursday that the US firmly opposes the drone assaults, which have been targeting oil sites in the Kurdistan region of Iraq since July 14. These attacks threaten Iraq's stability and economic future, according to Bruce. Multiple incidents of mysterious drone attacks on energy infrastructure in recent weeks have sparked domestic and international alarm about the emergence of security tensions, which might harm the Iraqi economy and reconstruction efforts.
Iraqi News
3 days ago
- Politics
- Iraqi News
Iraq's security chief arrives in Erbil to investigate recent drone attacks
Baghdad ( – Iraq's National Security Advisor Qasim al-Araji, accompanied by senior security officials, arrived in the capital of the Kurdistan region of Iraq, Erbil, on Monday to look into a series of drone and missile attacks that recently targeted several sites in northern Iraq. Al-Araji's visit to Iraqi Kurdistan took place just hours after another bomb-laden drone was shot down in Erbil province, according to local media outlets. The security team landed at Erbil International Airport at 9:00 a.m., where they were greeted by Rebar Ahmed, Minister of Interior for the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG). The major goal of the mission is to undertake a hands-on investigation into the recent string of drone assaults on Kurdish airports and oil facilities. It is al-Araji's first official visit to Iraqi Kurdistan since the strikes began earlier this month. Previously, Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani formed a commission to investigate the attacks, but the results have not been made available to the public. Al-Araji is expected to meet with senior officials in the KRG. The discussions are anticipated to address the recent assaults, the overall relationship between Erbil and Baghdad, and other important concerns.
Rudaw Net
10-07-2025
- Politics
- Rudaw Net
Top Iraqi delegation to attend PKK disarmament ceremony
ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - A senior delegation from the Iraqi intelligence agency, representing the federal government, will attend the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) disarmament ceremony in Sulaimani on Friday, Iraq's National Security Advisor Qasim al-Araji told Rudaw on Thursday. 'Tomorrow, a high-level delegation from the Iraqi National Intelligence Service, as official representatives of the Federal Government, has been assigned to participate in the disarmament ceremony of the Kurdistan Workers' Party,' Araji said. The first batch of PKK fighters will destroy their arms in the presence of the officials, politicians and representatives of civil society organizations in the Sulaimani ceremony. The exact location of the event has yet to be disclosed, and journalists are not allowed to cover the ceremony live. The ceremony follows a February appeal from the jailed leader of the PKK, Abdullah Ocalan, for the group to abandon armed conflict in favor of political engagement. Turkey's intelligence chief Ibrahim Kalin separately met with Kurdistan Region's officials, including President Nechirvan Barzani, and Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia' al-Sudani in recent days, discussing security issues, including PKK. Iraq banned the PKK in March 2024 from operating in the country, following a top security meeting with a Turkish delegation in Baghdad. The decision came ahead of a landmark visit by Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan to Iraq. Founded in 1978, the PKK initially sought to establish an independent Kurdish state but later shifted its focus toward securing broader political and cultural rights for Kurds in Turkey. The group is designated a terrorist organization by Turkey and several of its Western allies.
Rudaw Net
09-07-2025
- Business
- Rudaw Net
President Barzani, Iraq security advisor discuss PKK disarmament, Iran border pact
Also in Iraq Iraqi ministerial committee on Erbil-Baghdad budget issues holds first meeting US urges resolution as Erbil, Baghdad draft proposals to end salary, oil disputes Iraqi cabinet stalls on KRG salaries, forms committee to address Erbil-Baghdad issues Erbil-Baghdad oil, salary deal excluded from Iraqi cabinet agenda A+ A- ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - Kurdistan Region President Nechirvan Barzani on Wednesday met with Iraqi National Security Advisor Qasim al-Araji in Erbil to discuss key security developments, including the anticipated disarmament of Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) fighters and broader regional developments. A statement from the Kurdistan Region Presidency said the two officials discussed the 'latest developments in Iraq's security situation and emphasized the importance of continuing coordination and cooperation' between Iraqi and Kurdish security forces. Discussions also included 'the latest efforts and steps' in the peace process between the PKK and the Turkish state, the statement added. The meeting comes just days before the first batch of PKK fighters - estimated at 30 to 40 individuals - is set to disarm in the Kurdistan Region's eastern Sulaimani province on Friday. The move marks a major milestone in the months-long peace initiative aimed at ending the four-decade conflict between the PKK and the Turkish state that has claimed more than 40,000 lives - mainly PKK fighters. The ceremony also comes as the PKK responded to a February appeal from their imprisoned leader Abdullah Ocalan to abandon armed struggle in favor of a political solution. In a pivotal video message, recorded on June 19 and released Wednesday, Ocalan reaffirmed the end of the military campaign. Importantly, a key question now centers on the future of disarmed PKK fighters - how they will be integrated or relocated, and under what legal or political framework. In a separate statement issued Wednesday, Araji's office confirmed that discussions with President Barzani also focused on 'coordinating positions' on the PKK's dissolution, as well as implementing the Iraq-Iran border security agreement. Signed in March 2023 between Iraq and Iran, the agreement primarily targets Iranian Kurdish opposition groups based in the Kurdistan Region. Under the deal, these groups - including the Kurdistan Democratic Party of Iran (KDPI), Komala, Free Life Party of Kurdistan (PJAK), and the Kurdistan Freedom Party (PAK) - were required to disarm and relocate from border areas by a September 19, 2023 deadline. Iran has accused these groups of links to the anti-government protests that erupted across the country in 2022 and warned of renewed military action if the agreement's terms were not upheld. Importantly, Tehran swiftly welcomed the PKK's May decision to disarm, with the Iranian foreign ministry describing it as 'an important step toward renouncing violence and strengthening security,' adding that it would contribute to 'enhanced stability and peace in Turkey and the region.' Iran's reaction is closely tied to concerns over perceived connections between the PKK and PJAK, which is widely believed to be its Iranian offshoot. In addition to his meeting with President Barzani, the Iraqi national security advisor on Wednesday also met with Kurdistan Region Interior Minister Rebar Ahmed. In a Facebook post following the meeting, Araji noted that he had been dispatched by Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia' al-Sudani to hold 'a series of political and security meetings with the leaders in the Kurdistan Region.' The Araji-Ahmed meeting also follows rising tensions between Erbil and Baghdad over drone activity in the Region. On Saturday, the Kurdistan Region's interior ministry accused the federal government of failing to address repeated drone incursions. Several explosive-laden drones have either crashed or been intercepted in the Region in recent weeks, following the June 24 ceasefire brokered by the United States between Iran and Israel, which ended their 12-day confrontation. The Region's interior ministry on Friday specifically accused the Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF) of involvement in the drone incidents. Baghdad promptly rejected the allegations the next day, calling the accusations against the PMF - a sovereign security force - 'unacceptable.'
Iraqi News
28-05-2025
- Politics
- Iraqi News
Iraq and Switzerland discuss the importance of developing cooperation in the field of counterterrorism
Baghdad – INA National Security Advisor Qasim al-Araji discussed on Wednesday the importance of developing cooperation in the field of counterterrorism with the Swiss Federal National Security Advisor Gabriel Le Chenger. The National Security Advisor's media office said in a statement received by the Iraqi News Agency (INA): "National Security Advisor Qasim al-Araji met in Moscow with the Swiss Federal National Security Advisor Gabriel Le Chenger," noting that "the meeting comes on the sidelines of the 13th International Meeting of Senior Officials Responsible for Security Issues, held in the Russian capital, Moscow." He added that "the meeting reviewed bilateral relations between the two countries and the importance of developing them and cooperating in the field of counterterrorism, with the Swiss side expressing its full support for Iraq in all fields." He indicated that "the holding of an international conference in Geneva next September on the Syrian al-Hawl camp was discussed." According to the statement, al-Araji extended "an official invitation to the Swiss Federal National Security Advisor to visit Iraq, and the Swiss side expressed its approval of the invitation to visit."
