Latest news with #SecurityMediaCell
Rudaw Net
27-07-2025
- Politics
- Rudaw Net
Iraqi authorities arrest PMF members linked to attack on state institution
Also in Iraq Iraq to hit 52 degrees Celsius amid scorching summer Iraq sees drop in wheat production amid summer drought MP says Iraq can withdraw from maritime agreement with Kuwait MPs slam Baghdad for banning Kurdish in disputed areas A+ A- ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - At least one Iraqi officer and several other personnel were injured in an 'armed assault' at an Iraqi agriculture ministry office in western Baghdad on Sunday, Iraqi authorities confirmed, adding that more than a dozen suspects linked to the Iran-aligned Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF) have been arrested in connection with the attack. In a statement, the Security Media Cell of the Joint Operations Command said that 'a reprehensible incident' occurred at the ministry's Karkh district office on Sunday morning, resulting in injuries among security forces. 'Security forces were able to arrest 14 suspects' who were identified as members of the PMF's 'brigades 45 and 46,' the Cell added, noting that the suspects 'have been referred to the judiciary, with legal proceedings underway.' Brigades 45 and 46 are affiliated with the Kata'ib Hezbollah - a powerful Iranian-backed Iraqi armed group designated by the United States as a Foreign Terrorist Organization (FTO). Washington holds Kata'ib Hezbollah, a key player in the Iran-led 'Axis of Resistance,' responsible for numerous attacks on US assets in the region since the outbreak of the Israel-Hamas conflict in October 2023. In response to Sunday's incident, Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia' al-Sudani - who also serves as commander-in-chief of the Iraqi armed forces, including the PMF - 'has ordered the formation of a high-level investigative committee' to probe 'how an armed force acted without official orders or approvals, attempted to seize a government building, and opened fire on security units,' the Security Media Cell added. In a previous statement on Sunday, the Iraqi interior ministry noted that 'the incident coincided with a newly appointed director beginning his duties,' adding that Iraqi federal police units and Karkh emergency patrols 'quickly intervened and came under direct gunfire, resulting in several officers and personnel sustaining various injuries.' The ministry noted that 'search and pursuit operations are ongoing' to apprehend remaining suspects, affirming its strong condemnation and stressing that Iraqi forces 'will not tolerate any party attempting to impose a de facto situation by force or threaten state institutions. 'Upholding the authority of the state and the rule of law remains a top and non-negotiable priority,' the ministry emphasized. This is not the first time Kata'ib Hezbollah has been linked to clashes with Iraqi state forces. Previous incidents include a firefight with federal police in Baghdad in May 2023 and a confrontation with the Iraqi Counter Terrorism Service at Camp Speicher in March 2023. The group has also been accused of participating in the violent crackdown on the October 2019 - Tishreen Movement - pro-reform demonstrations across Iraq and of involvement in the November 2021 assassination attempt on then-prime minister Mustafa Al-Kadhimi via a drone attack on his Green Zone residence. The incident notably occurred shortly after clashes between security forces and supporters of Iran-backed armed groups protesting election results. While Kata'ib Hezbollah has strongly denied involvement, the use of explosive-laden drones, a hallmark of Iran-backed Iraqi armed groups, and Kadhimi's then-perceived alignment with the US fueled widespread belief in their responsibility.
Rudaw Net
18-07-2025
- Politics
- Rudaw Net
Iraq launches security operation after drone attacks
Also in Iraq UK condemns drone attacks in Kurdistan Region Iraq launches probe into Wasit mall fire that killed 63 Iraq holds nationwide mourning after mall blaze kills 61 At least 50 killed, dozens missing in Iraq shopping mall fire A+ A- ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - Iraqi security forces on Friday announced an operation in western Nineveh and Salahaddin provinces to track down those responsible for a spate of drone attacks on oil, military, and civilian sites in the Kurdistan Region. 'The recent attacks on oil installations and fields, along with attempts to target military bases and camps, are considered sinful and dangerous acts that undermine all efforts toward Iraq's stability, reconstruction, and development campaigns,' the military's Security Media Cell said in a post on X. 'Security forces have launched a wide-scale search operation' in response to these attacks, it added. The operation spans the Hatra desert, targeting warehouses, valleys, and caves. 'This operation comes in response to critical intelligence aimed at thwarting intentions and attempts to target security units and vital infrastructure in the country,' it said. In the month of July, there have been at least 18 drone attacks in the Kurdistan Region, including on oil fields, Peshmerga bases, a camp for internally displaced persons, and critical infrastructure like airports. The Iraqi operation is being carried out with the coordination of several forces, including the Joint Operations Command, counter-terrorism, and the Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF). The Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) has blamed the attacks on the PMF, a charge Baghdad has denied.
The National
15-07-2025
- Politics
- The National
Drones attack Khurmala oilfield in Iraq's Kurdish region
Two drones attacked Khurmala oilfield in Iraq 's semi-autonomous Kurdish region on Monday night, counter-terrorism officials said. There were no casualties and only material damage was recorded, said the Iraqi Security Media Cell, an official body responsible for disseminating security information. An investigation into the incident has been launched in co-ordination with security forces in the region, it added. The regional Ministry of Natural Resources said the attack only resulted in damage to the oilfield's water pipes. It did not say whether production from Khurmala was affected. No group has claimed responsibility for the attack. Khurmala oilfield is located near the Iraqi Kurdish city of Erbil, the capital of Kurdistan Region in northern Iraq. Iraq has seen a spate of drone and rocket attacks over the past weeks. A drone laden with explosives was downed this month near Erbil International Airport, with the regional Interior Ministry blaming the Popular Mobilisation Forces for the attack. The PMF is a coalition of pro-Iran former paramilitaries now integrated into Iraq's armed forces. In Baghdad, the federal government rejected this accusation against 'an official Iraqi security institution'. Erbil's airport has frequently been targeted by rocket and drone attacks in previous years. Iraq has been a frequent battleground for such attacks, often linked to regional proxy struggles. The country has only recently begun to regain a measure of stability after decades of war and upheaval.
Arab News
14-07-2025
- Arab News
Two drones fell in Khurmala oilfield in Iraqi Kurdistan, counter-terrorism service says
BAGHDAD: Two drones fell in the Khurmala oilfield in Iraqi Kurdistan, the Iraqi Kurdistan's counter-terrorism service said in a statement on Monday. Khurmala oilfield is located near the Iraqi Kurdish city of Irbil. The Iraqi Security Media Cell, an official body responsible for disseminating security information, said in a statement that no casualties were reported and only material damage was recorded. An investigation into the incident was launched in coordination with security forces in Kurdistan, it added.
Shafaq News
05-07-2025
- Politics
- Shafaq News
Radar warfare puts Iraq's aerial surveillance at risk
Shafaq News A wave of drone and rocket attacks targeting Iraq's radar and air surveillance systems has raised alarms about the country's deteriorating aerial security and its capacity to protect both military and civilian infrastructure. The campaign, marked by the destruction of critical radar units in Baghdad, Dhi Qar, and Kirkuk, has exposed gaps in Iraq's air defense architecture and stirred calls for urgent strategic reform. Coordinated Attacks Attacks on June 24 involving swarms of small suicide drones and Katyusha rockets directly hit Iraqi military radar installations. According to Major General Sabah Al-Naaman, spokesperson for the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, two radar systems were destroyed — one at the Taji Camp north of Baghdad and another at Imam Ali Airbase in Dhi Qar. Al-Naaman confirmed that Iraqi forces intercepted and downed four additional drones en route to separate military sites, asserting that these 'cowardly acts' would not go unanswered. While no casualties were reported, the nature and precision of the strikes prompted renewed concern over Iraq's surveillance resilience. Security sources told Shafaq News that the targeted radar in Dhi Qar had recently intercepted a reconnaissance drone, suggesting that the strike may have been retaliatory. In Baghdad, the Security Media Cell reported that two unidentified drones were detected over the capital. One struck a non-operational radar unit at the Taji base, while the other crashed near a power generator. Separately, drone wreckage was discovered in the Radwaniyah area west of the city. Kirkuk has also emerged as a new hotspot in this wave of attacks. In recent days, the city has been targeted repeatedly by drones and rockets, with particular focus on its dual-use airport. Turkmen MP Arshad Al-Salihi described the situation as a 'dangerous indicator of the scale of the security breach,' demanding an immediate inquiry. 'What's more troubling,' he told Shafaq News, 'is that no one knows where these drones are launched from — and the fact that airport radar systems failed to detect them raises serious concerns.' Despite the aerial assaults, Kirkuk International Airport has continued to operate. Airport spokesman Herdi Al-Salihi emphasized the facility's 'full operational readiness.' Nevertheless, the airport sustained a direct hit earlier when three unidentified projectiles landed within its perimeter. Two landed on the military side and one in the civilian section, causing a minor fire. One person was lightly injured. The fire was quickly contained, and the airport confirmed that no structural damage occurred. Drone Campaign Undermines Air Control Security observers and defense experts have begun referring to the pattern of attacks as an emerging form of 'radar warfare.' Brigadier General Ammar Al-Azzawi cautioned that low-flying drones present a unique challenge, as they can evade standard radar detection systems without advanced early warning integration. 'The only way forward,' Al-Azzawi argued, 'is to integrate all civil and military radar systems into a unified national grid and to upgrade Iraq's air defense platforms to counter modern threats.' Observers believe these are not random acts of sabotage but coordinated elements of an intelligence-driven campaign, as shown by their near-simultaneous strikes across distant provinces. As drone warfare reshapes the battlefield across the region, Iraq's continued exposure could leave not only its military infrastructure but also its civilian aviation and population centers vulnerable to paralyzing strikes.
