
UN Mission in Iraq to officially conclude by the end of 2025
Guterres' remarks took place during a press conference held on the sidelines of the Arab Summit in Baghdad, when he expressed his pleasure with the progress achieved by Iraq, according to the Iraqi News Agency (INA).
'We are all aware that the Arab people strive for a better future and seek justice, dignity, and rights,' Guterres said.
The truce, territorial integrity, and commitment to international resolutions in Lebanon must be upheld, according to Guterres.
The UN Secretary-General illustrated that the people in Syria want a complete political transition that addresses national challenges and enhances Syria's integration into the international community and economy while also guaranteeing that sanctions are lifted.
Guterres stated that the situation in Gaza is beyond description, adding that there is a siege, starvation, and a violation of international law that must end. He added that the collective punishment placed on the Palestinian people is unjustified.
A durable truce and an unrestricted movement of humanitarian supplies into Gaza are required, according to Guterres.
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Rudaw Net
2 hours ago
- Rudaw Net
UK condemns drone attacks in Kurdistan Region
Also in Iraq 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 Iraqi PM inaugurates Mosul airport on anniversary of city's liberation from ISIS A+ A- ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - The British Embassy in Baghdad on Friday condemned a recent wave of drone attacks in the Kurdistan Region, including strikes that targeted key energy infrastructure, as tensions between Erbil and Baghdad appear to ease following a new financial agreement. 'The UK condemns the recent drone attacks across Iraq, including those this week targeting energy infrastructure in the KRI [Kurdistan Region of Iraq],' the British Embassy said in a statement. 'These attacks threaten civilians' safety, damage Iraq's economy and undermine Iraq's stability.' The embassy urged the Iraqi government to prevent further attacks and hold those responsible to account. In the month of July, there have been at least 19 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). On Wednesday, the CTD reported drone strikes on two oil fields in northern Duhok province. One hit Norwegian energy company DNO's Tawke oil field, prompting the company to temporarily suspend operations. Gulf Keystone Petroleum, which operates the Shekhan field in southern Duhok, also halted operations as a precautionary measure. A day earlier, a drone targeted the Sarsang oil field northwest of Duhok city, operated by US-based HKN Energy. The company suspended activity pending a security review and full damage assessment. The Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) has blamed the attacks on Iraq's Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF), a charge Baghdad has denied. 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 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 for the attacks.


Shafaq News
3 hours ago
- Shafaq News
Bedouin fighters surround Suwayda as clashes with Druze escalate
Hundreds of armed Bedouin fighters from Arab tribes have reached the outskirts of Suwayda city in southern Syria, after seizing control of more than ten villages in the surrounding countryside, eyewitnesses told Shafaq News on Friday. The mobilization followed a call for 'general alert' issued by Arab tribes on Thursday. In a statement received by Shafaq News, the tribes accused Druze factions in Suwayda of launching 'killings and displacement' campaigns targeting Bedouin residents, particularly after the recent withdrawal of Syrian Ministry of Defense forces from the province. That withdrawal, they claimed, came under pressure from both Israel and the United States. Wissam al-Ahmad, speaking from Suwayda, told our agency that tribal gunmen had advanced to within less than four kilometers northwest of the city. He confirmed that while local Druze factions still control Suwayda and the nearby village of al-Walgha, the area is now surrounded by armed tribesmen, including fighters reportedly linked to the Syrian Defense Ministry. Al-Ahmad accused the Syrian government of supporting tribal militias 'logistically and in the media,' and of supplying them with weapons to retaliate against the people of Suwayda, who have publicly condemned abuses carried out by government-aligned units and military groups. Dozens of video clips shared by activists and obtained by Shafaq News show convoys of fighters arriving from Aleppo, Hama, and Deir ez-Zor, traveling in trucks and buses toward Suwayda to join the offensive. The Bedouin tribal statement warned that any attempt by the Syrian government to block their movement would be viewed as siding with 'criminal perpetrators,' adding that the tribes stand firmly behind their fighters and would respond decisively to any threat. 'These fighters are exercising their legitimate right to defend the oppressed and protect women, children, and elders,' the statement read. 'Any action against them makes its perpetrators morally and historically responsible for the continuation of bloodshed.' The tribal assault began on Thursday evening, targeting multiple towns and villages in the Suwayda countryside. The town of al-Mazraa was among the first to fall under tribal control. Fighters have since approached Suwayda city from the north and west, including via the Damascus-Suwayda highway. According to Shafaq News' correspondent, Suwayda city remains under the full control of local Druze militias. However, the besieged status of the city has raised fears of further escalation, particularly in light of deepening divisions within the Druze community itself. Some Druze factions have aligned with a recent political-security agreement proposed by the Syrian presidency. Others, led by prominent spiritual leader Sheikh Hikmat al-Hijri, have rejected the deal, arguing that it fails to provide real guarantees for the safety of Suwayda's residents. Responding to reports of government action in the area, Interior Ministry spokesperson Nourdine al-Baba said on Friday that there was no movement or deployment of security forces inside Suwayda, and that ministry units remain on standard alert. He described circulating news about internal security forces entering the city as 'inaccurate,' and blamed the media for spreading unreliable reports. Despite these denials, Druze sources have accused army-affiliated groups of involvement in acts of humiliation against community members—including attacks on religious figures and desecration of traditional attire—allegations the Syrian army has categorically denied. UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Turk on Friday urged Syrian authorities to investigate the violence urgently. He said that nearly 600 people—including Druze fighters and Syrian security forces—had been killed in and around Suwayda in recent confrontations. 'The bloodshed and violence must stop. All persons must be protected,' Turk stated, calling for independent, transparent investigations and accountability for those responsible. The province of Suwayda, known historically as Jabal al-Arab and part of the Hawran region, is home to around 500,000 people, mostly Druze, with smaller Christian and Sunni minorities. #Syria: Credible reports indicate widespread violations & abuses, including summary executions & arbitrary killings in Suweida. The interim authorities must ensure accountability & justice. Those responsible must be held to account. Revenge and vengeance are not the answer. — UN Human Rights (@UNHumanRights) July 18, 2025


Rudaw Net
4 hours ago
- Rudaw Net
PUK pushes for new KRG cabinet before Iraq's November vote
Also in Kurdistan Child among 4 dead in Sulaimani traffic accident KRG deputy PM calls on Turkey to lift Sulaimani flight ban Bomb-laden drones crash near Erbil following wave of attacks on energy sites Oil companies condemn attacks on Kurdistan Region fields A+ A- ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - Efforts are underway to form the new cabinet of the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) before Iraq's parliamentary elections in November, more than a year after the vote, a senior Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK) official said on Thursday. Saadi Ahmed Pira, PUK spokesperson, told Rudaw's Zana Kayani that the July 14 meeting between the leaders of his party and the Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP) led to 'closer positions on relations with Baghdad and cooperation with other Iraqi parties.' 'I believe this is a positive step that could help us reach a broader agreement on forming the new cabinet and starting parliament's work,' he said. 'I am hopeful and there is also new breath from the KDP as well to form the new Kurdistan Regional Government and activate the parliament before the Iraqi election,' he added. Although parliamentary elections in the Kurdistan Region were held on October 20, 2024, negotiations between the KDP and PUK on forming a power-sharing government have dragged on for nearly nine months. The parliament has convened only once in that time. Iraq's parliamentary elections are scheduled for November 11. Pira said the PUK wants meaningful participation in the new cabinet, even if power is not divided equally. 'We believe we are partners. I don't mean 50-50, but the Union should have a presence in power positions and feel that it participates in governance,' he said. In the elections, no single party won a majority, meaning a governing coalition will have to be formed, as has historically been the case. The KDP won 39 spots in the 100-seat legislature, followed by the PUK with 23. The PUK is seeking roles in the Kurdistan Region Security Council and Ministry of Interior, but remains open to alternative proposals from the KDP. Pira warned that the KDP 'should not monopolize power.' The rival parties did cooperate in order to secure a deal between Erbil and Baghdad on the Kurdistan Region's share of the federal budget and payment of public sector salaries, according to Pira. The KRG announced on Wednesday it had reached an understanding with Baghdad over delayed salary payments affecting more than 1.2 million public employees. The agreement followed meetings in Baghdad this week between Kurdish and Iraqi officials. Tensions between Erbil and Baghdad escalated in late May when Iraq's Finance Ministry suspended budget transfers, saying the KRG had received more than its 12.67 percent share and accused it of failing to deliver the agreed volume of oil to the State Oil Marketing Organization (SOMO). The suspension halted salary payments across the Region. Pira said the KDP and PUK need to work better together in light of recent developments in the Middle East. Kurds in northeast Syria (Rojava) are negotiating about their future with Damascus and the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) is in peace talks with the Turkish government. 'The situation is changing,' Pira said. 'The Kurdistan Region can play a key role in helping other parts of Kurdistan and resolving their issues through peaceful means. If we cannot resolve our own problems, how can other parts of Kurdistan trust us?' The KDP and PUK, while rivals, have shared power in government since the establishment of the Kurdistan Region in the nineties. For the past several governments, the KDP has held the posts of prime minister and president.