Latest news with #SecurityandDefenseCommittee
Shafaq News
04-08-2025
- Politics
- Shafaq News
Iraqi Parliament advances Civil Defense Law amendment
Shafaq News – Baghdad The Iraqi Parliament completed the second reading of the first amendment to the Civil Defense Law, an Iraqi lawmaker reported on Monday. Speaking to Shafaq News, Kareem Alawi, head of the parliamentary Security and Defense Committee, explained that the amendment grants Civil Defense directors in Baghdad and other provinces broader powers, enabling faster decisions in the field to protect citizens. 'The amendment also supports increased financial allocations for the Civil Defense Directorate and expands its scope to match urgent tasks,' he noted, adding that the parliamentary leadership is working to schedule the vote as soon as possible. Earlier, the Parliament's media department released the agenda for Tuesday's fourth session of the second legislative term. It includes votes on several bills, as well as first and second readings of others, but excludes a vote on the Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF) Law. Efforts to pass the PMF Law have sparked internal debate and drawn international attention, particularly from the United States, which views the legislation as potentially strengthening Iranian influence and empowering armed groups outside state control. The US also regards the Law as a potential threat to Iraq's sovereignty and an obstacle to establishing a unified national army.
Rudaw Net
20-07-2025
- Politics
- Rudaw Net
Iraq parliament to probe drone attacks on Kurdistan Region
Also in Iraq Iraqi top court to hear complaints against KRG-US energy deals Duhok crowned Iraq Cup champions Iraq launches security operation after drone attacks UK condemns drone attacks in Kurdistan Region A+ A- ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - Iraq's parliament will investigate recent drone attacks that primarily targeted Kurdistan Region's oil fields and energy infrastructure. 'Next week we will have a visit as the Security and Defense Committee to learn the details of the incident and who is behind this incident,' Mohammed Rasul, a member of parliament's Security and Defense Committee, told Rudaw on Friday. The military's Joint Operations Command has also begun investigating the types of drones and the bombs and explosives used. In the month of July, there have been at least 18 drone attacks on locations in the Kurdistan Region. Most recently, on Thursday, two explosive-laden drones crashed in Erbil's outskirts, according to the Erbil-based Directorate General of Counter Terrorism (CTD). 'National security and military intelligence need to be brought to the forefront. Everyone should be watchful. Some parties want to create tension in the situation. They want to accuse the PMF [Popular Mobilization Forces] and armed groups and other parties,' said Mohammed Rasul, another member of the committee. 'Now a third party is playing its role visibly and is far from the eyes of security agencies,' Rasul added. The Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) has blamed the attacks on Iraq's PMF, a charge Baghdad has denied. On Monday, the Iraqi parliament will convene to discuss the 'terrorist attacks with explosive drones on infrastructure in the Kurdistan Region,' according to the agenda. Aziz Ahmad, deputy chief of staff to Kurdistan Region Prime Minister Masrour Barzani, said in a statement on Wednesday that the Region has lost nearly 200,000 barrels of oil production due to the 'spate of drone attacks by criminal militias on the Iraqi government payroll.' The Kurdistan Region's Presidency, Council of Ministers, and Ministry of Natural Resources have all strongly condemned the attacks, describing them as attempts to cripple the Region's vital oil infrastructure. They called on the federal government to hold the perpetrators to account. No group has claimed responsibility. There have been no new attacks since Erbil and Baghdad on Thursday reached a new agreement on finances and oil exports.
Rudaw Net
15-07-2025
- Politics
- Rudaw Net
Iraq's three presidencies condemn ‘drone attacks' on Kurdistan oil fields
A+ A- ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - The Iraqi presidency, premiership and parliament on Tuesday strongly condemned the recent 'drone attacks' on oil fields in the Kurdistan Region, calling them a flagrant assault on national security and stability. In a statement, the Iraqi Presidency vehemently denounced the 'terrorist attacks' on the Sarsang oil field in northern Duhok early Tuesday and the Khurmala oil field southwest of Erbil late Monday. It warned that such attacks threaten the country's 'economy and the security and safety of its citizens,' describing them as 'equivalent to targeting the state's public interests.' The presidency urged "the relevant security authorities' in Baghdad and Erbil 'to take appropriate and urgent measures to identify the perpetrators and prevent the recurrence of such terrorist attacks." Echoing the presidency's stance, Sabah al-Numan, spokesperson for the Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia' al-Sudani, said on Tuesday that the assaults were carried out using drones, branding them 'criminal acts' and a 'direct threat to national interests.' He added that the Iraqi premier had 'ordered an immediate and comprehensive investigation' into the incidents, which reflect a "malicious intent aimed at creating confusion." Baghdad pledged decisive action against the perpetrators and stressed the need to protect vital infrastructure. Meanwhile, Iraqi Parliament's Second Deputy Speaker Shakhawan Abdullah condemned the 'deliberate operations' targeting oil and critical infrastructure in the Kurdistan Region. He confirmed that 'these attacks caused material and economic damages' and called on the federal government to "maintain security and identify the parties responsible." He further tasked the parliament's Security and Defense Committee with investigating the "repeated targeting incidents and breaches that are threatening the security of the [Kurdistan] Region.' Earlier on Tuesday, an explosion hit the Sarsang oil field in the Kurdistan Region's northern Duhok province, operated by the US-based HKN Energy, which holds a 62 percent stake in the field. In a statement posted to its official Facebook page, HKN Energy confirmed that 'an explosion occurred' around 7:00 am local time. 'All personnel have been safely accounted for, and no injuries have been reported,' the company said, adding that 'operations at the affected facility have been suspended until the site is secured and a full evaluation is completed.' Just a day earlier, two explosive-laden drones targeted the Khurmala oil field, southwest of Erbil, late Monday night. According to a security source speaking to Rudaw, the drones were intercepted by US-led coalition forces. No casualties were reported in that incident either. The Kurdistan Region Presidency on Tuesday strongly condemned 'the drone strikes on infrastructure and various locations within the Kurdistan Region,' urging the federal government in Baghdad to take urgent measures to prevent further attacks and bring those responsible to justice. The Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) natural resources ministry also denounced the incidents as 'terrorist attacks' against the Region's economic infrastructure. Drone strikes in the Kurdistan Region have increased since the outbreak of a 12-day conflict between Israel and Iran that began on June 13 and ended with a US-brokered ceasefire. While no group has claimed responsibility for the latest attacks, the Kurdistan Region's interior ministry has accused the Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF) of involvement - a charge dismissed by Baghdad as 'unacceptable.'
Shafaq News
15-07-2025
- Politics
- Shafaq News
Iraq launches probe into drone strikes on Kurdistan oil sites
Shafaq News – Baghdad The Iraqi Parliament on Tuesday launched an investigation into recent drone strikes that caused significant material damage to vital oil facilities in the Kurdistan Region. In a statement, Deputy Parliament Speaker Shakhawan Abdullah described the assaults as a 'serious threat' to the Region's stability, calling on the Iraqi government to tighten security and identify those responsible. He also urged the Security and Defense Committee to conduct a full review of the repeated violations, enhance intelligence coordination, and take immediate action to prevent further attacks. Earlier today, the Kurdistan Region Presidency denounced the assaults on the Khurmala and Sarsangoil fields in Erbil and Duhok, urging Baghdad to act swiftly to stop future aggression.
Shafaq News
09-07-2025
- Politics
- Shafaq News
Iraq's Defense Ministry dismisses F-16 ineffectiveness claims
Shafaq News – Baghdad Iraq's Ministry of Defense rejected, on Wednesday, claims that its US-made F-16 fighter jets are ineffective. Earlier, media reports quoted members of the parliamentary Security and Defense Committee and defense analysts arguing that Iraq's F-16 fleet lacks certain advanced systems and remains partly dependent on Global Coalition support. Tahseen Al-Khafaji, the Ministry's Director of Media and Moral Guidance, told Shafaq News the accusations are 'inaccurate and do not reflect reality,' insisting the aircraft are fully operational and regularly used in counterterrorism missions. Al-Khafaji described the F-16s as the 'backbone' of Iraq's Air Force, dismissing the notion that any country would accept non-functional jets. He also credited Iraqi pilots with executing precise and effective airstrikes, highlighting their professionalism and capability.
