Latest news with #NationalSecurityAdvisory
Shafaq News
05-07-2025
- Politics
- Shafaq News
Czechia praises Iraq's al-Hol repatriation
Shafaq News - Baghdad/Prague Iraq has made significant efforts to repatriate its citizens from Syria's al-Hol camp, Czech Ambassador Jan Vyčítal stated on Saturday. According to a statement from Iraq's National Security Advisory, Vyčítal, during a meeting with National Security Adviser Qassem al-Araji, acknowledged Baghdad's role in reintegrating those citizens, referencing returnees' reception at al-Jadaa camp in Nineveh for psychological and social rehabilitation. Since 2021, Iraq has worked with international organizations to return families from al-Hol, a detention camp in northeastern Syria that holds thousands of suspected ISIS-linked individuals, despite opposition from victims' families. 'Iraq is a stable country with a professional security system,' the ambassador remarked, crediting Iraq's foreign policy with helping it avoid fallout from regional conflicts. Meanwhile, Al-Araji reaffirmed Iraq's commitment to strengthening regional and international relations in pursuit of long-term security and development. Both sides also called for ending civilian suffering in Gaza and stopping Israeli military operations in the Strip. جددنا خلال اللقاء مع سعادة سفير جمهورية التشيك في بغداد، السيد يان شنايدوف، @CZBaghdad حرص العراق على إقامة أفضل العلاقات مع محيطه الإقليمي والدولي، بما يعزز المصالح المشتركة العليا، ويضمن احترام السيادة، ويساهم في تحقيق السلم والاستقرار المستدامين.كما أكدنا على أهمية إنهاء… — قاسم الاعرجي (@qassimalaraji) July 5, 2025
Iraqi News
21-05-2025
- Politics
- Iraqi News
Iraq, NATO Hold Second High-Level Strategic Partnership Dialogue
Baghdad-INA The second high-level strategic partnership dialogue between Iraq and NATO was held at the National Security Advisory headquarters today, Wednesday. The National Security Advisor's media office said in a statement received by the Iraqi News Agency (INA): that "The second high-level strategic partnership dialogue between Iraq and NATO was held at the National Security Advisory headquarters. The Iraqi side was headed by National Security Advisor Qasim al-Araji, while the NATO delegation was headed by Assistant Secretary General for Operations Thomas Goffus." "The two sides discussed ways to strengthen the strategic partnership, which is a priority for the Iraqi government, in line with its strategic vision in light of rapid regional developments." "The dialogue also addressed supporting capacity-building for Iraqi security institutions through integrated training packages within the work of the NATO Advisory Mission in Iraq." According to the statement, Al-Araji affirmed that "the Iraqi government, headed by the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, attaches great importance to NATO's advisory, non-combat mission," emphasizing "the importance of respecting Iraq's sovereignty in all aspects of cooperation." For his part, Goffus reiterated NATO's support for "Iraq and its pivotal role in regional stability," praising "the high efficiency of the Iraqi security services in the fight against terrorism." He emphasized that "the mission's work in Iraq is carried out in accordance with the requirements of the Iraqi government and in compliance with applicable laws."
The Hindu
11-05-2025
- Politics
- The Hindu
Chinese Foreign Minister Wang speaks to NSA Doval, calls for lasting ceasefire with Pakistan
Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi spoke to India's National Security Advisory (NSA) Ajit Doval and expressed hope that New Delhi and Islamabad would address their differences through dialogue and achieve a lasting ceasefire. During their conversation, Mr. Doval told Mr. Wang that war was not India's choice but India needed to take counter-terrorism action after the Pahalgam attack, state-run Xinhua news agency reported in separate dispatches. Mr. Wang also condemned the April 22 terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir's Pahalgam, which had cross-border linkages and triggered the worst fighting between India and Pakistan in years. Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi had a phone conversation with Indian National Security Advisor Doval As per Chinese Foreign Ministry, "Doval said that the Pahalgam terrorist attack caused serious casualties among Indian personnel and that India needed to take counter-terrorism… — ANI (@ANI) May 10, 2025 Mr. Wang also spoke to Pakistan's Deputy Prime Minister Mohammad Ishaq Dar, Xinhua's reports said. Hostilities soared between India and Pakistan after the Indian military hit terror infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) on May 7 in response to the Pahalgam attack, which claimed 26 lives. The two nuclear-armed neighbours on May 10 reached an understanding to stop all firings and military actions on land, air and sea with immediate effect after four days of intense cross-border drone and missile strikes. In his talks with Mr. Doval, Mr. Wang expressed hope that India and Pakistan would remain calm and restrained, properly handle differences through dialogue and consultation, and avoid escalating the situation, according to Xinhua's reports. Mr. Wang said China supports and expects India and Pakistan to achieve a comprehensive and lasting ceasefire through consultation, which is in the fundamental interest of the two countries and meets the common aspiration of the international community. He said China condemns the terrorist attack in Pahalgam and opposes all forms of terrorism. Noting that the world is undergoing both transformation and upheaval, Wang said peace and stability in Asia are hard-won and deserve to be cherished. India and Pakistan are neighbours that cannot be moved away and they are both neighbours of China, he said. Mr. Doval told Mr. Wang that the Pahalgam attack resulted in serious casualties for the Indian side and that India needed to take counter-terrorism actions. War is not the choice of the Indian side and is not in the interest of either side, Mr. Doval underlined, adding that both India and Pakistan will be committed to the ceasefire and look forward to restoring regional peace and stability as soon as possible, the reports said. In his conversation with Dar, the reports stated, Wang said that as a neighbour of both Pakistan and India, China is concerned about the conflict between the two. He said China believes that Pakistan will make decisions in line with its fundamental and long-term interests. Dar told Wang that Pakistan is willing to achieve a ceasefire with India but will respond to any acts that violate its sovereignty and territorial integrity. Noting that Pakistan stands on the frontline of the international fight against terrorism, Wang said China supports its continued firm counterterrorism efforts, the Xinhua reports said. Before India and Pakistan agreed to the ceasefire, China on Saturday strongly urged the two countries to exercise calm and restraint, and return to the track of peaceful settlement. China is closely following the ongoing situation between India and Pakistan, and is deeply concerned about the escalation, the Chinese foreign ministry said earlier in a statement. "We strongly urge both sides to act in the larger interest of peace and stability, exercise calm and restraint, return to the track of political settlement through peaceful means, and refrain from any action that could further escalate tensions," the statement said. This will be important for the fundamental interest of both India and Pakistan, and for a stable and peaceful region. This is also what the international community hopes to see. China is willing to continue to play a constructive role to this end, it said.
Asharq Al-Awsat
22-03-2025
- Politics
- Asharq Al-Awsat
Iraq Counts Citizens in Syria's Al-Hol, Plans Reintegration Efforts
Iraq said around 16,000 of its citizens remain in Syria's al-Hol camp, which houses families linked to ISIS. Ali Abdullah, an official at the National Security Advisory, said on Friday that the camp hosts people of various nationalities, but Iraqi authorities are focusing on the humanitarian and security needs of their own citizens, who make up 16,000 of the camp's population. Iraq is urging other countries to repatriate their citizens from Syria's al-Hol camp, warning that their prolonged presence poses a threat to regional security, a senior official said, as Baghdad continues efforts to bring its nationals home. Ali Abdullah, also head of Iraq's Counter-Extremism Committee, told state media that the government is working to return Iraqis from al-Hol, with large numbers being received at the Jadaa camp near Mosul. 'We are facilitating their reintegration and return to their home areas,' he said. Abdullah said Iraq has a 'clear vision' for promoting moderation and will launch several key programs by 2025 across provinces and ministries, including initiatives to integrate displaced Iraqis returning from camps. The Iraqi government has decided to close all displacement camps, prompting the national committee to draft plans for reintegrating returnees into their original communities, according to the National Security Advisory. Iraqi authorities have also been grappling with the fallout from a recent US decision to cut funding for humanitarian organizations operating in the country. On March 10, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced an 83% reduction in US Agency for International Development (USAID) programs following a six-week review, affecting aid projects for displaced people. On March 13, Iraq repatriated more than 150 Iraqi families from al-Hol to the Jadaa camp, an Iraqi security official said. Al-Hol, one of the largest camps in northeast Syria, is under the control of the US-backed Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF). It was established in 1991 during the Gulf War to shelter Iraqi families fleeing to Syria.
Shafaq News
13-03-2025
- Politics
- Shafaq News
Humanitarian crisis looms: Iraq raises alarm over US funding cuts
Shafaq News/ On Thursday, Iraq's National Security Advisory, along with several ministries, urged the United States to reconsider its decision to halt support for international organizations operating within the country. The discussions, convened by the Advisory, addressed concerns raised in a letter from the UN Secretary-General to Prime Minister Mohammed Shia Al-Sudani. Among the issues were "Al-Amal" center, " Al-Hol" camp, and the situation of Iraqi families returning from northeastern Syria. The impact of the US funding cuts on UN programs in Iraq was also a major point of focus. An official statement revealed that the meeting primarily centered on the operational gaps created by the funding cuts and their effect on UN initiatives. "The suspension of support will directly disrupt critical humanitarian operations and the rehabilitation of families," one official involved in the discussions remarked. Several key decisions were made to assist the Ministry of Migration and Iraqi institutions in resettling families, ensuring that the integration process continues without interruption. "We must ensure that families are not left behind due to external funding changes," a senior official emphasized. The talks also highlighted the international community's responsibility in completing the second phase of addressing the ISIS file, especially the rehabilitation of affected families. "This is not Iraq's responsibility alone; it requires collective action and support," another official stressed.
