US to unveil new policies on Iraq, official says
At a press conference, Abdullah revealed that he held discussions with the US assistant secretary of state and the head of the US religious affairs commission, pointing out that talks focused on Kirkuk and other disputed areas, which Washington views as a matter of significant concern.
The deputy speaker added that the new US administration may introduce several political and economic measures related to Iraq, a topic that has been repeatedly discussed with the federal government.
Abdullah highlighted Kirkuk's historical significance as a center of geopolitical struggle due to its rich intellectual, mineral, and natural resources, noting that the city 'has long faced Arabization policies and demographic changes due to its strategic location.'
He stressed the need for all parties to restore the rights of Kirkuk's original inhabitants and 'erase the impact of successive Iraqi regimes.' Abdullah also confirmed that the Iraqi Parliament has reactivated the Article 140 Committee, aiming to reverse the demographic changes imposed under the former Baath regime.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Shafaq News
an hour ago
- Shafaq News
Linked to prison atrocities: Iraq arrests former regime officer
Shafaq News – Baghdad On Friday, Iraq's National Security Service announced the arrest of Ajaj Ahmad Hardan, known as 'Hajjaj Nagra al-Salman,' a former intelligence officer accused of grave human rights violations under Saddam Hussein's regime. The operation followed a six-month intelligence effort by security units in al-Muthanna and southern Saladin. Despite longstanding claims by his family that he was dead, investigators successfully tracked his movements and captured him in Saladin province. During the Baath era, Hardan held several senior posts, including roles in al-Rumaitha, al-Najmi, al-Hilal, al-Basiyah, and finally at Nagra al-Salman prison, where he oversaw operations. Officials say he also participated in mass executions and the burial of victims in collective graves. He is accused of torture, rape, and extrajudicial killings at the prison, particularly targeting Kurds forcibly relocated to al-Muthanna during the dictatorship.
Shafaq News
an hour ago
- Shafaq News
Putin reaffirms Russia's conditions for Ukraine peace talks
Shafaq News – Moscow On Friday, Russian President Vladimir Putin reiterated Moscow's core conditions for resolving the Ukraine conflict, stressing the need for sustained negotiations and long-term peace. After talks with Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko on Russia's Valaam Island, Putin described the latest prisoner exchanges and negotiation rounds between Moscow and Kyiv as positive, adding, 'Talks are always necessary and important. If Kyiv believes it is not the right time to engage with Moscow, we are ready to wait.' Without referencing US President Donald Trump's suggested timeline for a settlement, Putin noted that three rounds of peace negotiations had produced some constructive outcomes. 'Disappointment usually stems from inflated expectations. To resolve issues peacefully, we need detailed discussions—away from the public eye, in the calm of direct negotiations.' Putin also expressed support for including the Ukraine conflict in broader talks on European security. 'There is value in discussing Ukrainian settlement within the wider context of European security,' he noted. Addressing international criticism over the transfer of Ukrainian children to Russia, Putin rejected Kyiv's allegations. He claimed that data shared by Ukraine in Istanbul on 'abducted' children was inaccurate, though he provided no details. Ukraine and international bodies, including the International Criminal Court, accuse Russia of unlawfully deporting thousands of Ukrainian children from occupied territories. Moscow maintains that the transfers were humanitarian evacuations intended to move minors out of active combat zones.
Shafaq News
an hour ago
- Shafaq News
Syria forms judicial committee to investigate Suwayda events
Shafaq News – Damascus On Friday, Syria's Minister of Justice Mudhir al-Wais issued a decree establishing a special committee to investigate the recent wave of violence in Suwayda, which left more than 1,300 people dead and caused significant damage to both public and private property. The committee—comprised of judges, security officials, and lawyers—has been tasked with identifying the root causes of the unrest, probing alleged violations against civilians and infrastructure, and referring those responsible for acts of violence or sabotage to the judiciary. According to the decree, the panel must submit a detailed report within 90 days to the Ministry of Justice and other relevant bodies, potentially laying the groundwork for legal proceedings. Since transitional President Ahmad al-Sharaa took office, the country has faced a series of sectarian clashes that have raised alarm over the safety of minority communities. Some of the most severe violence occurred earlier this year in the coastal provinces of Latakia and Tartous, strongholds of the Alawite minority. Fighting erupted when pro-Assad loyalists engaged in confrontations with government forces, triggering a wave of retaliatory attacks. The clashes resulted in over 1,400 deaths, mostly among Alawite civilians. In response, al-Sharaa ordered an investigation that named nearly 300 individuals for prosecution.
