Latest news with #CivilDefenseDirectorate
Shafaq News
4 days ago
- Politics
- Shafaq News
Deadly Iraq's Kut fire: Wasit Governor faces dismissal
Shafaq News - Wasit A devastating fire at a hypermarket in Iraq's Kut province claimed the lives of at least 70 people, including men, women, and children, overnight between July 16 and 17. The tragedy has renewed urgent scrutiny over the widespread use of flammable cladding materials in Iraq's commercial buildings, as well as exposed longstanding failures in regulatory oversight and emergency preparedness. In the aftermath of the catastrophe, Iraq's leading political blocs agreed to push for the dismissal of Wasit Governor Ali Hassan Slemon, a political source confirmed to Shafaq News. Leading parties have authorized their lawmakers to back the governor's removal if a parliamentary consensus is reached. Lawmaker Mukhtar al-Mousawi urged the Wasit Provincial Council to act swiftly, stating, 'Members who elected the governor should now vote to dismiss him and refer the decision to parliament for ratification.' He further added, 'It was the Prime Minister's responsibility to remove Slemon after a tragedy that killed and injured dozens of innocent people.' Alongside this political pressure, the Wasit Provincial Council dismissed four senior officials implicated in the incident, including the provincial police chief, civil defense director, head of health inspection, and residency office director. The tragedy also prompted a nationwide crackdown by Iraq's Civil Defense Directorate, which ordered the closure of 1,118 projects across the country within 48 hours for violating fire safety regulations. Hazardous Materials Experts have long warned that flammable construction materials commonly used in Iraq's modern commercial buildings are a critical factor behind the rapid spread of fires and the high number of casualties. Abbas Khalil, a specialist in construction and urban planning, explained to Shafaq News that 'most markets and commercial buildings in Iraq have become heavily reliant on hazardous cladding materials, both on their exterior facades and in interior designs.' These materials are 'highly combustible and cause flames to spread in a matter of minutes.' Among the most widely used is aluminum composite paneling, often referred to as cladding. 'Although it appears safe, it contains plastic cores that ignite easily despite their thin metal coating,' Khalil said. Additionally, foam panels and polyurethane—though intended as insulation—turn into highly flammable fuel when exposed to heat. Polyvinyl chloride (PVC) panels are also commonly used in secondary ceilings, while medium-density fiberboard (MDF) is frequently found in interior walls and furniture. Both materials offer minimal resistance to fire. 'These materials share a common and deadly trait: they accelerate fire spread and release toxic gases that rapidly increase casualties,' Khalil emphasized. He also attributed the ongoing use of these materials not only to their lower cost and ease of installation but also to the lack of effective oversight. 'Developers often choose the cheapest options without regard for the consequences,' he added, stressing that once a fire ignites, containment becomes an immense challenge. Market Realities A building materials vendor in Kirkuk, speaking on condition of anonymity, confirmed that safety concerns are often overlooked in Iraq's construction sector. 'Many owners of commercial and residential buildings favor flammable materials because they are cheaper, faster to install, and enhance aesthetics,' he revealed. 'When we caution them about the risks, their common response is 'Everyone uses them,' as if a disaster must strike before they reconsider.' Construction safety expert Hassan Hadi underscored that the technical solutions to the problem are well established; the primary barrier remains the absence of political and regulatory will. 'We must implement strict bans on importing and using flammable materials in all commercial and residential buildings,' Hadi urged. He also highlighted the need for strengthened supervision of contractors and mandatory installation of modern fire detection and suppression systems in all public buildings. 'New projects should be rigorously inspected, and materials must receive certified approval prior to use.' Hadi further advocated revising legislation to empower authorities, to impose heavy fines or even to close non-compliant projects before disasters occur, emphasizing that raising public awareness is critical to ensure safety.
Shafaq News
6 days ago
- Shafaq News
Karbala readies emergency teams before Arbaeen crowds
Shafaq News – Karbala On Friday, Iraq's Civil Defense Directorate completed all preparations to secure the Arbaeen pilgrimage in Karbala, launching a comprehensive safety plan in coordination with religious shrines and Hussaini processions. The Arbaeen pilgrimage, one of the world's largest annual religious gatherings, commemorates the end of the 40-day mourning period for Imam Hussein, the grandson of the Prophet Mohammed. Millions of pilgrims travel on foot to Karbala from across Iraq and beyond to mark the occasion. The Head of the Directorate's Media and Relations Department Nuwas Sabah told Shafaq News that the plan includes pre-positioning medical supplies, training personnel, and deploying rescue teams along the routes used by pilgrims. The first pillar focuses on preventive action, including safety inspections of hotels and commercial buildings, and the removal of hazardous materials like flammable sandwich panels and aluminum composite cladding. The second pillar is field deployment. Civil defense and rescue teams will be stationed along major roads leading into Karbala to enable swift response in emergencies, especially given the high number of visitors. The third pillar addresses humanitarian support. According to Sabah, civil defense teams will distribute drinking water to processions and enforce kitchen safety regulations. Sabah also stressed the need for each procession tent to have at least two fire extinguishers, and that organizers should be trained in their use. 'Immediate reporting via the 911 emergency line is critical,' he stated.
Shafaq News
6 days ago
- Shafaq News
Fires reported across Iraq within 48 hours of deadly Kut blaze
Shafaq News – Baghdad Just two days after a deadly fire at a hypermarket in Kut, the capital of Wasit province, Iraq has recorded ten more fires across multiple provinces, including Baghdad. A source in the Civil Defense Directorate told Shafaq News that ten separate fires broke out in the past 48 hours, in addition to the major blaze that killed and injured dozens in Wasit. Among the reported incidents was a fire at a waste storage site in Taji military camp in Baghdad and another at a spare parts warehouse in Wasit. A fire also broke out in the meeting hall of the College of Physical Education at Al-Karma University, as well as in a commercial complex in the Talbiya area of the capital. Other incidents included a blaze at a fuel station on the al-Tayeb road in Maysan province, a fire inside prefab units belonging to a Chinese company in Baghdad's al-Qadisiyah district, and a gas tank fire in Najaf province. A residential house in the Hay district of Wasit, used as a makeshift workshop, also caught fire. Public safety and fire expert Fadel al-Eisawi told Shafaq News that most fires stem from negligence and a lack of adherence to safety regulations. He criticized the Civil Defense Directorate for failing to enforce professional standards. 'In the past, fewer fires occurred because the Civil Defense leadership maintained high levels of expertise and professionalism,' he said, adding that the Directorate's Fire and Safety Division has failed to effectively implement safety strategies across its branches. Al-Eisawi said that previous warnings were issued regarding fire hazards in Baghdad's Karrada and Nineveh's Hamdaniya, but no preventive action was taken. 'These tragedies will continue unless those responsible are held accountable and safety protocols are enforced across malls, restaurants, residential buildings, and industrial facilities.' He noted that the Kut hypermarket, where the recent fatal fire occurred, lacked basic fire safety systems, including sprinklers, ozone cabinet systems, dry pipe infrastructure, and emergency exit stairwells. 'These systems are mandated under Iraq's Civil Defense Law, but are frequently ignored in critical facilities,' he said.
Jordan News
04-06-2025
- General
- Jordan News
Public Security Implements Comprehensive Security, Traffic, and Humanitarian Plan Ahead of Eid Al-Adha Holiday
The Public Security Directorate has developed a comprehensive security, traffic, and humanitarian plan to facilitate services for citizens and ensure their safety during the Eid Al-Adha holiday, aiming to provide a secure environment for both residents and visitors. اضافة اعلان The all-encompassing plan spans multiple sectors and covers all governorates of the Kingdom, including internal and external roads, residential neighborhoods, markets, and recreational and tourist sites. It involves an increased presence of both mobile and foot patrols, and heightened readiness to handle reports and observations around the clock. The plan also includes elevated preparedness at border crossings and terminals, which are expected to witness heavy traffic due to the return of expatriates and the arrival of visitors from neighboring countries, in addition to pilgrims returning from Hajj. On the traffic front, specialized departments have already begun implementing a strategy to organize traffic flow and prevent dangerous violations and reckless behavior. Environmentally, the Royal Department for Environmental Protection, in cooperation with relevant authorities, will conduct inspections in markets, livestock sacrifice points, and touristic and forested areas to ensure adherence to environmental regulations and prevent violations that could harm public health or the ecosystem. Additionally, correctional facilities will open their doors for family visits during the holiday, in line with a rehabilitative approach that supports family ties and maintains a humane environment within detention centers. Meanwhile, the Civil Defense Directorate has increased its preparedness to provide humanitarian services, deploying advanced field teams to recreational areas and water bodies to ensure quick emergency response and efficient incident management. The Public Security Directorate emphasized the importance of public awareness and compliance with safety guidelines, urging citizens to remain vigilant and not hesitate to report any emergency via the unified emergency number (911).
Shafaq News
03-06-2025
- General
- Shafaq News
Iraqi forces seize ISIS munitions in Tikrit
Shafaq News/ On Tuesday, Iraqi security forces recovered artillery shells left behind by ISIS during a clearance operation west of Tikrit. A security source told Shafaq News that the police conducted a joint sweep in the Al-Hayadiya area, west of Tikrit, discovering five 155 mm artillery shells and one 100 mm shell, all remnants of ISIS militants. The munitions were safely removed and handed over to the Civil Defense Directorate in Tikrit. 'The operation is part of a broader preemptive campaign targeting rugged, reed-covered terrain, especially areas along the Al-Azim River, which borders the Diyala Operations Command sector,' the source pointed out. Last week, Iraqi intelligence units raided an ISIS hideout in southern Diyala province. Additionally, the Iraqi Air Force carried out a series of airstrikes, destroying several ISIS hideouts and weapons depots in Saladin province.
