Latest news with #SaadMaan
Iraqi News
21-05-2025
- Politics
- Iraqi News
SMC: Arab Media Conference an Opportunity to Correct Stereotypes About Iraq
Head of the Security Media Cell, Major General Saad Maan, stated today, Wednesday, that the Arab Media Conference in Baghdad represents a significant opportunity to correct prevailing stereotypes about Iraq. He noted that the participation of more than 200 Arab media professionals in the conference sends a clear message of confidence in the country's current stability. Speaking to the Iraqi News Agency (INA), Maan said: 'The fourth edition of the Arab Media Conference, held in Baghdad under the patronage of the Iraqi Media Network, is an important platform for conveying an accurate picture of the reality in Iraq—free from flattery or media distortion.' He added, 'We are in urgent need of presenting a realistic image of Iraq. We do not seek promotion or compliments, but rather a precise and honest portrayal of the situation. Iraq, and Baghdad in particular, has long suffered from media injustice and either intentional or inaccurate misrepresentation.' Maan emphasized that 'the presence of over 200 Arab journalists and representatives from Arab media institutions marks a genuine breakthrough in the effort to correct the false stereotypes about Iraq,' affirming that 'the security situation in Baghdad is largely stable, comparable to that of many regional and international capitals.' He further explained that 'presenting reality as it is benefits not only Arab media, but also the region and the world, because Iraq is deeply rooted in history, active in shaping the future, and a key player in the equation of stability and development.' He stressed the importance of 'unifying Arab media discourse on shared issues, avoiding fragmentation and narrow agendas.'
Shafaq News
15-05-2025
- Sport
- Shafaq News
‘'A Thousand Welcomes" race held in Baghdad before Arab League summit
Shafaq News / Security authorities in Baghdad organized a 1,500-meter race on Thursday as part of the 'Summit Marathon,' a public event held in the lead-up to this weekend's Arab League summit. Organized under the slogan 'A Thousand Welcomes,' the event was coordinated by the Joint Operations Command's Security Media Cell, along with Baghdad Operations Command and the Physical Training and Army Sports Directorate at the Ministry of Defence. 'The event is athletic in nature, but its message is national, humanitarian, and Arab,' noted Saad Maan, head of the Security Media Cell, during the race. 'We run together along the path of unity, peace, and solidarity. Let Baghdad's voice reach the entire Arab world,' he added. Baghdad is set to host the Arab League summit on Saturday, May 17, as part of its wider efforts to strengthen Iraq's diplomatic role in the region. The summit takes place amid ongoing political, economic, and security challenges across the Middle East.
Rudaw Net
07-04-2025
- Politics
- Rudaw Net
Iraqi forces foil smuggling of 400,000 Captagon pills from Syria
Also in Iraq No significant barriers left to resume Kurdish oil exports: Baghdad Iraqi army, Peshmerga cooperate to upgrade Turkey border security Faili Kurds in Mandali lament neglect decades after genocide Iraq releases 1,000 detainees under general amnesty law A+ A- ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - Iraqi security forces thwarted an attempt to smuggle 400,000 Captagon pills across the Euphrates from Syria into Iraqi territory, the interior ministry announced on Monday. 'The operation was carried out using advanced thermal cameras, and the drugs were hidden inside tightly-sealed plastic jerry cans,' ministry spokesperson Miqdad Miri said in a statement. The narcotics were being smuggled from Syria's eastern Deir ez-Zor province, according to the statement. In mid-March, the Iraqi interior ministry announced the seizure of a truck packed with some 1,100 kilograms of Captagon pills coming from Syria towards Iraq through Turkey. Also in March, Iraq's narcotics control directorate reported that Baghdad has seized some 1.75 tons of illicit substances since the beginning of 2025 and made 2,000 arrests in the process. Three months prior, in December, the narcotics directorate revealed that a total of six tons and 183 kilograms of illicit drugs were seized in 2024, with 14,483 suspects arrested. Among these, 144 individuals have been sentenced to death for international drug smuggling, while 454 local dealers were sentenced to life in prison - a term of 20 years. Saad Maan, the head of Iraq's Security Media Cell, told Rudaw in February that drug trafficking is 'the most widespread crime' in Iraq, highlighting that Erbil and Baghdad are working jointly and with regional neighbours to address the issue. Maan also said that 'drugs are almost exclusively imported' into Iraq and that there have been 'failed attempts' to manufacture crystal methamphetamine and Captagon - the most commonly used types of psychotropic substances - within the country. The drug trade, especially Captagon, is a growing concern in the Middle East, including Iraq. Syria, under fallen dictator Bashar al-Assad, was a major source for the Captagon trade. The drug was one of the power cards used by the Assad regime for political leverage and his brother Maher is believed to have been largely behind the illegal business. With the collapse of his rule, observers have urged the international community to end the Captagon trade among the prerequisites for providing relief to the new Syria leadership.
Rudaw Net
31-03-2025
- Rudaw Net
Baghdad captures major drug dealer amid ongoing anti-narcotics efforts
ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - Iraq's National Security Service (NSS) on Sunday announced the arrest of one the most notorious drug dealers in Baghdad. According to a statement from the NSS, relayed by the state-run Iraqi News Agency (INA), the arrest was made after thorough intelligence monitoring. 'The operation also resulted in the seizure of 1,350 LSD patches [tabs], more than 12 kilograms of marijuana, 800 grams of cocaine, in addition to 1,850 narcotic pills and drug paraphernalia,' it added. Of note, LSD patches are a form of transdermal delivery system sometimes used to administer drugs through the skin. The suspect was apprehended 'red-handed' and 'sentenced to death' by a Baghdad criminal court in accordance with Article 27 of Iraq's Anti-Narcotics Law. This article prescribes severe penalties, including the death penalty or life imprisonment, for individuals involved in the trafficking, production, or cultivation of narcotic or psychotropic substances. This latest bust is part of Iraq's ongoing counter-narcotics efforts. Since the start of 2025, Baghdad authorities have seized nearly 2.86 tons of illicit substances. Iraq in mid-March announced the seizure of some 1.1 tons of Captagon flowing in from Syria, with the help of the Kurdistan Region and Saudi Arabia. In early March, Iraq's narcotics control directorate reported that Baghdad had seized some 1.75 tons of illicit substances since the beginning of 2025 and made 2,000 arrests in the process. In December, a total of 6 tons and 183 kilograms of illicit drugs were seized in 2024, with 14,483 suspects arrested. Among those, 144 individuals were sentenced to death for international drug smuggling, while 454 local dealers were given life sentences, each lasting 20 years. Speaking to Rudaw in late February, the head of Iraq's Security Media Cell, Major General Saad Maan, described drug trafficking as "the most widespread crime" in Iraq, highlighting that Erbil and Baghdad are working jointly and with regional neighbours to address the issue. Maan also noted that drugs are mostly imported into Iraq, though there have been "failed attempts" to produce Crystal Meth and Captagon locally, which are among the most commonly abused substances in the country.
Rudaw Net
31-03-2025
- Politics
- Rudaw Net
Mission of global coalition forces in Iraq to end by 2026: Security Media Cell
Also in Iraq Iraq to begin implementing land return law 'within two months:' Minister Iraq saves $700 million through local arms production: DIC Iraqi strike kills two ISIS suspects in Anbar Kurdish officials slam unequal police recruitment in Kirkuk A+ A- ERBIL, Kurdistan Region – The mission of the global coalition forces to defeat the Islamic State (ISIS) in Iraq will conclude without any extension, the head of Iraq's Security Media Cell told Rudaw on Monday. Major General Saad Maan confirmed that "the missions of the global coalition forces in Iraq will end in two phases: the first will be this year, and the second in 2026, and there will be no extension beyond that." He explained that the decision stems from the significant improvement in Iraq's security compared to 2014 when ISIS took control of large swathes of territory in Iraq's north and west. "Our security forces are now stronger and more capable, and we can rely on ourselves to safeguard the country's security," Maan explained. The global coalition to defeat ISIS, led by the United States, was formed in 2014 under former president Barack Obama with aims of degrading and ultimately defeating the group. The coalition's military mission in Iraq began in October of the same year with air support, later evolving to include advising and assisting Iraqi Security Forces. The coalition comprises over 60 countries and international organizations, including key members like the US – which has around 2,500 troops in Iraq - the United Kingdom, France, Germany, Canada, Australia, and several Middle Eastern nations. Each member contributes resources such as military personnel, equipment, training, and financial support. However, 168 out of Iraqi's 329-member parliament on January 5, 2020, voted to expel foreign troops from the country, just days after the US, under President Donald Trump's first term, launched an airstrike that killed the deputy chief of Iraq's Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF), Abu Mahdi Al-Muhandis, and Iran's Quds Force Commander, Qasem Soleimani, near Baghdad's international airport. In December 2021, the coalition concluded its combat mission, shifting its focus to training and assisting Iraqi forces. The coalition plans to maintain a presence in Iraq for advisory purposes and continue supporting counter-ISIS operations in neighboring Syria. The head of Iraq's Security Media Cell additionally told Rudaw on Monday that Iraqi forces have been able to 'effectively secure Iraq's borders with neighboring countries' in addition to maintaining internal security. Following a swift offensive, a coalition of opposition groups led by Hay'at Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) in early December toppled the regime of Syrian dictator Bashar al-Assad. Iraq has since upped security along the 618-kilometer border with Syria to prevent any infiltration of ISIS remnants into the country. Spokesperson for the Joint Operations Command (JOC), Sabah al-Numan, told Rudaw in early March that Iraq is 'conducting daily drone surveillance and continuous border patrols,' and that 'backup forces including the army and the Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF) are also on standby to counter any threats.' In addition, Major General Maan revealed that hundreds of Syrian soldiers fled to Iraq after the collapse of the Assad regime in December. "Iraq welcomed 2,136 Syrian soldiers, of whom 1,900 voluntarily returned to Syria," Maan said. "136 of them stayed and have not yet decided to return."
