Latest news with #MajidAl-Lajmawi
Iraqi News
30-06-2025
- Politics
- Iraqi News
Iraq recovers six ancient Mesopotamian tablets from Turkey in official ceremony
Ankara, Turkey ( – The Iraqi Embassy in Ankara on Monday (June 30, 2025) officially received six ancient clay tablets belonging to the civilization of Mesopotamia, in a significant act of cultural heritage repatriation. The artifacts were handed over during a formal ceremony at the Republic Museum in Ankara. Attendees included Iraqi Ambassador Majid Al-Lajmawi and Turkish Deputy Minister of Culture and Tourism, Gökhan Yazgı. Ambassador Al-Lajmawi stated that the tablets 'represent an authentic part of the ancient civilizational heritage of Mesopotamia' and are a testament to Iraq's pioneering role in human history, particularly in the invention of writing. For his part, Deputy Minister Yazgı emphasized that the handover is the 'fruit of close cooperation' and embodies Turkey's commitment to international laws on protecting cultural property and supporting Iraq's recovery efforts. This successful repatriation is part of the Iraqi government's ongoing diplomatic and cultural efforts to reclaim its historical artifacts that were lost or smuggled out in past decades.
Shafaq News
30-06-2025
- Politics
- Shafaq News
Iraq reclaims Mesopotamian artifacts in Turkish handover
Shafaq News – Ankara/Baghdad On Monday, Iraq's embassy in Ankara received six ancient clay tablets dating back to the Mesopotamian civilization, marking the latest recovery of looted antiquities through diplomatic cooperation. The handover took place during an official ceremony at the Republic Museum in the Turkish capital, attended by Iraqi Ambassador Majid Al-Lajmawi, Turkish Deputy Minister of Culture and Tourism Gokhan Yazgi, and a number of diplomats and officials from both countries. Al-Lajmawi noted that these tablets bear witness to Mesopotamia's contributions to writing, governance, and administrative systems from the dawn of civilization. For his part, Yazgi underscored Turkiye's adherence to international conventions on protecting cultural property, reaffirming the coutries continued support for Iraq's efforts to reclaim looted heritage. Iraq's antiquities have long been vulnerable to looting and smuggling, particularly during periods of conflict such as the 2003 US-led invasion and the rise of ISIS. Many artifacts were trafficked through neighboring country's, including Turkiye, which served as a transit route or temporary destination in the illicit antiquities trade. In recent years, Iraq has launched a concerted campaign to repatriate its cultural heritage, working with international partners and organizations like UNESCO to identify, recover, and return stolen artifacts. These efforts have led to the restoration of thousands of pieces, including tablets, statues, and relics from Iraq's ancient civilizations.
Shafaq News
16-06-2025
- Business
- Shafaq News
Stranded abroad due to Israel-Iran conflict: Iraqis urge government for evacuation
Shafaq News/ Hundreds of Iraqi citizens stranded in Lebanon, Georgia, and other countries are calling on Baghdad to organize urgent evacuation measures as regional airspace closures—triggered by the ongoing Iran-Israel conflict—continue to disrupt commercial flights and leave hundreds unable to return home. Although the Iraqi government had earlier advised citizens abroad to contact diplomatic missions for assistance, several families gathered outside the Iraqi Embassy in Beirut, calling for immediate action. One stranded individual told Shafaq News the embassy had yet to open and provided no information. 'There has been no assistance from the Iraqi embassy, while other diplomatic missions have already begun evacuating their nationals,' he noted. 'Embassy security informed us there are currently no solutions and they are waiting for instructions from Baghdad.' Efforts to support stranded nationals are also underway in other locations. In Ankara, the Iraqi Embassy is coordinating with Turkish authorities to facilitate the return of citizens from third countries. Short-term entry permits are being issued to allow Iraqi nationals to enter Turkiye and proceed home via the Ibrahim Khalil land crossing in the Kurdistan Region. Iraq's ambassador to Ankara, Majid Al-Lajmawi, confirmed to our agency that five-day transit visas are now available on arrival at Turkish airports. This arrangement, developed in cooperation with Turkish authorities, aims to provide a safe and legal pathway home under existing bilateral agreements. Meanwhile, Iraqi Airways has launched a new direct route between Dubai and Basra, now operating two daily flights. Passengers wishing to travel on these flights are advised to contact the airline's Dubai office to make reservations. More than 500 Iraqis stranded in Georgia are also unable to return home due to Iraq's airspace closure. The stranded individuals include doctors, public employees, and participants in official and private missions or conferences, many of whom have now been stuck for several days. 'We've been unable to return to Iraq since the airspace was shut down,' said Hossam al-Jubouri, one of the stranded Iraqis. 'At the same time, we can't travel to other countries like Turkiye or Saudi Arabia because our visa applications are being rejected. It's a very stressful and restrictive situation.' In Kurdistan The Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG)* confirmed the formation of a joint coordination cell between the Ministry of Interior and the Department of Foreign Relations to manage logistics related to the return of stranded citizens. In coordination with Turkish authorities, Iraqi passport holders from the Kurdistan Region are also permitted to enter Turkiye without a prior visa when flying with Turkish Airlines or other approved carriers. Upon arrival at Turkish airports, including Istanbul and Sabiha Gökçen, travelers will be granted five-day transit visas, enabling them to continue by land or air toward the Iraqi border and re-enter the Kurdistan Region through the Ibrahim Khalil crossing. Despite the regional disruptions, cross-border trade through Kurdistan remains unaffected. The Kurdistan Importers and Exporters Union confirmed that freight and passenger movement continues without interruption. 'All of Kurdistan's official border crossings are operating normally,' Union President Sheikh Mustafa Sheikh Abdul Rahman told Shafaq News. 'Warehouses remain fully stocked with essential commodities, and there are no concerns about food shortages in the local markets,' he added.
Shafaq News
15-06-2025
- Business
- Shafaq News
Turkiye grants visas to stranded Iraqis as Basra reopens for flights
Shafaq News/ Turkish authorities are continuing to issue entry visas to stranded Iraqis arriving from third countries and seeking to return home, Iraq's ambassador to Turkiye confirmed on Sunday. In a statement, Ambassador Majid Al-Lajmawi said that the Iraqi Embassy in Ankara is closely coordinating with Turkish authorities to facilitate the issuance of five-day entry visas for stranded Iraqi nationals. 'The measure follows directives from Iraq's Ministry of Foreign Affairs and aims to ensure an orderly and secure return of Iraqis stranded at Turkish airports due to recent regional developments that prompted the airspace shutdown.' He also announced the launch of a new direct flight route between Dubai and Basra, operated by Iraqi Airways with two daily flights. Iraq's Ministry of Transport recently confirmed that air traffic remains suspended across the country's airports—except for Basra International Airport, which reopened for daytime operations starting Sunday. Additionally, the head of Iraq's Civil Aviation Authority, Benkin Rikani, noted that these measures fall under the broader efforts of the Iraqi government to secure an orderly and safe return for nationals affected by the ongoing regional crisis. تحديث معلومات للعراقيين المتواجدين في الخارج ١- بالنسبة الى تركيا تمنح فيزا في مطار اسطنبول للقادمين والراغبين للدخول براً بناءاً على تدخل سفارتنا في تركيا .٢- من يوم غد سيم افتتاح مطار البصرة والبدء بتوجيه جميع الشركات لاعادة المسافرين اليه بدلاً من المطارات العراقية الاخرى… — بنگين ريكاني Bangen Rekani (@BangenRe) June 14, 2025
Iraqi News
04-06-2025
- General
- Iraqi News
Iraq and Afghanistan discuss the possibility of reopening embassies in both countries
Baghdad-INA The Ambassador of the Republic of Iraq to Ankara, Majid Al-Lajmawi, discussed the possibility of reopening embassies in both countries on Wednesday with the Chargé d'Affaires of the Embassy of the Republic of Afghanistan to the Republic of Turkey, Muhammad Zubair Wadan. A statement from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs received by the Iraqi News Agency (INA) stated that "The Ambassador of the Republic of Iraq to Ankara, Majid Al-Lajmawi, received the Chargé d'Affaires of the Embassy of the Republic of Afghanistan to the Republic of Turkey, Muhammad Zubair Wadan, in his office at the Iraqi Embassy building in the Turkish capital, Ankara." "The meeting discussed bilateral relations between Iraq and Afghanistan and ways to strengthen them to serve the common interests of the two countries. The possibility of reopening the Iraqi and Afghan embassies in each country was also discussed, which would contribute to the resumption of full diplomatic representation between them and the consolidation of official relations between the two sides." It noted that "the meeting also addressed the importance of strengthening diplomatic cooperation between the two countries' embassies in Ankara and coordinating joint efforts on issues of mutual interest, reflecting the spirit of understanding and friendship between Iraq and Afghanistan." According to the statement, "The two sides confirmed their commitment to continuing dialogue and cooperation in regional and international forums and developing bilateral relations to serve security, stability, and development in both countries and the region."
