Latest news with #MohammedShia
Rudaw Net
9 hours ago
- Politics
- Rudaw Net
US calls on Iraq to punish pro-Iran militants over deadly Baghdad attack
Also in Iraq Kurdish MP urges Iraqi president to halt Qaratapa upgrade Iraqi authorities arrest PMF members linked to attack on ministry Iraq to hit 52 degrees Celsius amid scorching summer Iraq sees drop in wheat production amid summer drought A+ A- ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - The United States on Monday called on the Iraqi government to bring the perpetrators of a deadly Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF, or Hashd al-Shaabi) attack on an agriculture ministry branch in Baghdad the day prior to account 'without delay" and hold an Iran-backed faction responsible. An 'armed assault' by the PMF on an agriculture ministry office in Baghdad's Karkh district on Sunday left three people dead - a policeman, a civilian, and a member of the powerful Iran-backed Iraqi armed group Kataib Hezbollah. Baghdad confirmed that the perpetrators of the attack were PMF members. 'We call on the Government of Iraq to take measures to bring these perpetrators and their leaders to justice without delay,' the US Embassy in Baghdad said in a statement. It blamed the PMF-affiliated Kataib Hezbollah, a US-designated armed group, for the attack. 'We are saddened by the loss of life, which included federal police and an innocent civilian, and wish a swift recovery to the wounded,' the embassy stated. Washington holds Kataib Hezbollah, a key player in the Iran-led 'Axis of Resistance,' responsible for numerous attacks on US assets in the region since the outbreak of the Israel-Hamas conflict in October 2023. Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia' al-Sudani vowed on Sunday to hold the perpetrators accountable and ordered a probe into the attack. 'No one has the right to replace the state or its authorities, and no party is above the law,' Sudani said in an emergency security meeting following the attack. Iraq's Shiite-led Coordination Framework also condemned the attack as a 'violation of the law and state procedures.'
Rudaw Net
a day ago
- Politics
- Rudaw Net
Iraqi authorities arrest PMF members linked to attack on state institution
Also in Iraq Iraq to hit 52 degrees Celsius amid scorching summer Iraq sees drop in wheat production amid summer drought MP says Iraq can withdraw from maritime agreement with Kuwait MPs slam Baghdad for banning Kurdish in disputed areas A+ A- ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - At least one Iraqi officer and several other personnel were injured in an 'armed assault' at an Iraqi agriculture ministry office in western Baghdad on Sunday, Iraqi authorities confirmed, adding that more than a dozen suspects linked to the Iran-aligned Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF) have been arrested in connection with the attack. In a statement, the Security Media Cell of the Joint Operations Command said that 'a reprehensible incident' occurred at the ministry's Karkh district office on Sunday morning, resulting in injuries among security forces. 'Security forces were able to arrest 14 suspects' who were identified as members of the PMF's 'brigades 45 and 46,' the Cell added, noting that the suspects 'have been referred to the judiciary, with legal proceedings underway.' Brigades 45 and 46 are affiliated with the Kata'ib Hezbollah - a powerful Iranian-backed Iraqi armed group designated by the United States as a Foreign Terrorist Organization (FTO). Washington holds Kata'ib Hezbollah, a key player in the Iran-led 'Axis of Resistance,' responsible for numerous attacks on US assets in the region since the outbreak of the Israel-Hamas conflict in October 2023. In response to Sunday's incident, Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia' al-Sudani - who also serves as commander-in-chief of the Iraqi armed forces, including the PMF - 'has ordered the formation of a high-level investigative committee' to probe 'how an armed force acted without official orders or approvals, attempted to seize a government building, and opened fire on security units,' the Security Media Cell added. In a previous statement on Sunday, the Iraqi interior ministry noted that 'the incident coincided with a newly appointed director beginning his duties,' adding that Iraqi federal police units and Karkh emergency patrols 'quickly intervened and came under direct gunfire, resulting in several officers and personnel sustaining various injuries.' The ministry noted that 'search and pursuit operations are ongoing' to apprehend remaining suspects, affirming its strong condemnation and stressing that Iraqi forces 'will not tolerate any party attempting to impose a de facto situation by force or threaten state institutions. 'Upholding the authority of the state and the rule of law remains a top and non-negotiable priority,' the ministry emphasized. This is not the first time Kata'ib Hezbollah has been linked to clashes with Iraqi state forces. Previous incidents include a firefight with federal police in Baghdad in May 2023 and a confrontation with the Iraqi Counter Terrorism Service at Camp Speicher in March 2023. The group has also been accused of participating in the violent crackdown on the October 2019 - Tishreen Movement - pro-reform demonstrations across Iraq and of involvement in the November 2021 assassination attempt on then-prime minister Mustafa Al-Kadhimi via a drone attack on his Green Zone residence. The incident notably occurred shortly after clashes between security forces and supporters of Iran-backed armed groups protesting election results. While Kata'ib Hezbollah has strongly denied involvement, the use of explosive-laden drones, a hallmark of Iran-backed Iraqi armed groups, and Kadhimi's then-perceived alignment with the US fueled widespread belief in their responsibility.
Rudaw Net
5 days ago
- Politics
- Rudaw Net
Wasit governor resigns after deadly mall fire
Also in Iraq UK smuggling sanctions target 10 individuals from Iraq, Kurdistan Iraq eyeing 'sustainable' diversification away from oil: PM advisor Diyala council seeks to block Qaratapa district upgrade Iraq's ruling coalition condemns drone attacks on Kurdistan Region A+ A- ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - The governor of Iraq's eastern Wasit province on Wednesday announced his resignation over a deadly mall fire in the provincial capital of Kut last week that left nearly 80 dead. 'In honor of the blood of the martyrs, as they need a position that heals part of their painful wounds, and in loyalty to them and to the people of this province that I served … I announce the submission of my resignation to the Wasit Provincial Council,' Mohammed Jamil al-Mayahi said in a statement. Mayahi added that the council accepted his resignation. On Tuesday, Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia' al-Sudani approved the results of the investigative committee into the tragedy, which included probing Mayahi and members of the province's civil defense 'to uncover responsibility and determine the causes of negligence.' A massive fire broke out at a newly opened shopping mall in Kut last week, killing at least 77 people. Most victims died from smoke inhalation, and the incident sparked public outrage over the lack of emergency exits and lax safety standards. Authorities later arrested dozens of local officials in Kut's civil defense and municipality, including the civil defense director, citing 'negligence and violations attributed to them.' Prime Minister Mohammed Shia' al-Sudani vowed on Thursday to 'not show lenience with any negligent party' after ordering an investigation into the tragedy. The government agreed to provide 10 million dinars (around $7,600) in compensation for the family of each victim. The health ministry was also instructed to cover medical treatment for the injured, both inside and outside the country.
Rudaw Net
18-07-2025
- Politics
- Rudaw Net
Iraq launches probe into Wasit mall fire that killed 63
Also in Iraq 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 Cardinal Sako urges Iraqi PM to halt 'violations' against Christian sites in Najaf A+ A- ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - The Iraqi government on Thursday ordered an investigation into a fire at a shopping mall in Wasit province that killed 63 people and promised compensation for victims. Prime Minister Mohammed Shia' al-Sudani on Thursday ordered relevant authorities to 'not show lenience with any negligent party. The measures taken must fit the scale of the incident,' as he announced the start of what he called practical steps in response to the Kornish Hypermarket fire in Kut, the capital city of Wasit. The five-story building, spanning about 350 square meters, went up in flames on Wednesday night. The fire started on the building's second floor, where perfume and cosmetic stores were located, Iraq's civil defense spokesperson Nawas Sabah Shakir told Rudaw. 'Preliminary findings show that the perfumes contributed to the rapid spread of the fire,' he said, noting that most of the victims were on the third, fourth and fifth floors, where they were trapped with no exit route. Most deaths were caused by smoke inhalation. One of the victims was a child and another was a foreign national, Wasit health authorities said. Forty-five people were rescued from the upper floors, according to civil defense teams. Shakir said there were a number of safety violations in the building. The Iraqi Council of Ministers, in an extraordinary meeting, ordered the formation of a committee to investigate the fire and identify those responsible for negligence. The committee has been given five days to complete its report and present recommendations to the cabinet. The government agreed to provide 10 million dinars (around $7,600) in compensation for the family of each victim. The health ministry was also instructed to cover medical treatment for the injured, both inside and outside the country. In a broader legal move, the cabinet approved a draft law to expand compensation for victims of multiple recent disasters. The new draft, which will be submitted to parliament, would cover victims of the Kornish fire in Kut along with other tragedies such as the fire in Nineveh's Hamdaniya district in 2023, when more than 130 people died in a wedding hall. It is intended to replace an earlier version of the law that did not include the Kut victims. Separate investigation committees have also been launched by the civil defense directorate, the Wasit provincial government, and the federal integrity commission. Wasit Governor Mohammed Jamil al-Mayahi accused the hypermarket owner of bypassing regulations and opening the business illegally just two days before the fire. 'The investor opened the project fraudulently, without obtaining any official permits,' he told reporters in a press conference on Thursday. Wasit Provincial Council on Thursday held a special session and voted to temporarily suspend the directors of Kut municipality and the occupational safety department pending the outcome of investigations. The council also decided to classify those killed in the fire as 'martyrs,' a status that typically allows families access to further compensation and social benefits.
Iraqi News
02-06-2025
- Business
- Iraqi News
Japanese Ambassador: We Aim to Support Iraq's Investment Environment and Attract Global Companies
Japanese Ambassador to Iraq, Akira Endo, announced on Monday that Japan has provided over $21 billion in support for economic cooperation projects in Iraq since 2003. He affirmed his country's ongoing commitment to enhancing Iraq's investment climate and attracting global companies. Speaking at the signing ceremony of an agreement between the Iraq Development Fund and the Japan Cooperation Center for the Middle East (JCCME), attended by an Iraqi News Agency (INA) reporter, the ambassador stated 'Since 2003, the Japanese government has implemented economic cooperation projects in Iraq amounting to over 21 billion US dollars. Japan has ranked as the top donor to Iraq in recent years, primarily through yen loans that have supported infrastructure development in sectors such as electricity, water, sanitation, and oil.' He emphasized that 'Japan has continuously provided support alongside the Iraqi people to assist in rebuilding the country.' He added that 'to further develop economic relations between Japan and Iraq, we look forward to Iraq's continued efforts to improve its investment climate, including the enforcement of relevant laws and regulations, and enhancing transparency in business practices, particularly in attracting foreign companies, including Japanese firms.' He noted that 'for more than a decade, JCCME has worked to strengthen trade and investment between Japan and Iraq by helping Japanese companies better understand the Iraqi market, organizing annual Iraq business seminars, sending delegations to key sectors in Iraq, and arranging training programs in Japan for Iraqi officials.' The ambassador continued: 'Meanwhile, the six priority sectors identified by the Iraq Development Fund, education, agriculture, housing, digital transformation, manufacturing and food security, and environment , are the same sectors the Iraqi government, under Prime Minister Mohammed Shia' Al-Sudani, has prioritized. These are also areas where Japanese expertise can have a sustainable and meaningful impact on Iraq's future.' He concluded by saying 'This agreement marks a pivotal step at a critical time. It will help strengthen ties between the private sectors of Japan and Iraq by facilitating the exchange of information and supporting, promoting, and coordinating business activities.'
