Latest news with #Qasimal-Araji
Rudaw Net
5 days ago
- Politics
- Rudaw Net
Top Iraqi delegation to attend PKK disarmament ceremony
ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - A senior delegation from the Iraqi intelligence agency, representing the federal government, will attend the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) disarmament ceremony in Sulaimani on Friday, Iraq's National Security Advisor Qasim al-Araji told Rudaw on Thursday. 'Tomorrow, a high-level delegation from the Iraqi National Intelligence Service, as official representatives of the Federal Government, has been assigned to participate in the disarmament ceremony of the Kurdistan Workers' Party,' Araji said. The first batch of PKK fighters will destroy their arms in the presence of the officials, politicians and representatives of civil society organizations in the Sulaimani ceremony. The exact location of the event has yet to be disclosed, and journalists are not allowed to cover the ceremony live. The ceremony follows a February appeal from the jailed leader of the PKK, Abdullah Ocalan, for the group to abandon armed conflict in favor of political engagement. Turkey's intelligence chief Ibrahim Kalin separately met with Kurdistan Region's officials, including President Nechirvan Barzani, and Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia' al-Sudani in recent days, discussing security issues, including PKK. Iraq banned the PKK in March 2024 from operating in the country, following a top security meeting with a Turkish delegation in Baghdad. The decision came ahead of a landmark visit by Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan to Iraq. Founded in 1978, the PKK initially sought to establish an independent Kurdish state but later shifted its focus toward securing broader political and cultural rights for Kurds in Turkey. The group is designated a terrorist organization by Turkey and several of its Western allies.
Rudaw Net
6 days ago
- Business
- Rudaw Net
President Barzani, Iraq security advisor discuss PKK disarmament, Iran border pact
Also in Iraq Iraqi ministerial committee on Erbil-Baghdad budget issues holds first meeting US urges resolution as Erbil, Baghdad draft proposals to end salary, oil disputes Iraqi cabinet stalls on KRG salaries, forms committee to address Erbil-Baghdad issues Erbil-Baghdad oil, salary deal excluded from Iraqi cabinet agenda A+ A- ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - Kurdistan Region President Nechirvan Barzani on Wednesday met with Iraqi National Security Advisor Qasim al-Araji in Erbil to discuss key security developments, including the anticipated disarmament of Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) fighters and broader regional developments. A statement from the Kurdistan Region Presidency said the two officials discussed the 'latest developments in Iraq's security situation and emphasized the importance of continuing coordination and cooperation' between Iraqi and Kurdish security forces. Discussions also included 'the latest efforts and steps' in the peace process between the PKK and the Turkish state, the statement added. The meeting comes just days before the first batch of PKK fighters - estimated at 30 to 40 individuals - is set to disarm in the Kurdistan Region's eastern Sulaimani province on Friday. The move marks a major milestone in the months-long peace initiative aimed at ending the four-decade conflict between the PKK and the Turkish state that has claimed more than 40,000 lives - mainly PKK fighters. The ceremony also comes as the PKK responded to a February appeal from their imprisoned leader Abdullah Ocalan to abandon armed struggle in favor of a political solution. In a pivotal video message, recorded on June 19 and released Wednesday, Ocalan reaffirmed the end of the military campaign. Importantly, a key question now centers on the future of disarmed PKK fighters - how they will be integrated or relocated, and under what legal or political framework. In a separate statement issued Wednesday, Araji's office confirmed that discussions with President Barzani also focused on 'coordinating positions' on the PKK's dissolution, as well as implementing the Iraq-Iran border security agreement. Signed in March 2023 between Iraq and Iran, the agreement primarily targets Iranian Kurdish opposition groups based in the Kurdistan Region. Under the deal, these groups - including the Kurdistan Democratic Party of Iran (KDPI), Komala, Free Life Party of Kurdistan (PJAK), and the Kurdistan Freedom Party (PAK) - were required to disarm and relocate from border areas by a September 19, 2023 deadline. Iran has accused these groups of links to the anti-government protests that erupted across the country in 2022 and warned of renewed military action if the agreement's terms were not upheld. Importantly, Tehran swiftly welcomed the PKK's May decision to disarm, with the Iranian foreign ministry describing it as 'an important step toward renouncing violence and strengthening security,' adding that it would contribute to 'enhanced stability and peace in Turkey and the region.' Iran's reaction is closely tied to concerns over perceived connections between the PKK and PJAK, which is widely believed to be its Iranian offshoot. In addition to his meeting with President Barzani, the Iraqi national security advisor on Wednesday also met with Kurdistan Region Interior Minister Rebar Ahmed. In a Facebook post following the meeting, Araji noted that he had been dispatched by Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia' al-Sudani to hold 'a series of political and security meetings with the leaders in the Kurdistan Region.' The Araji-Ahmed meeting also follows rising tensions between Erbil and Baghdad over drone activity in the Region. On Saturday, the Kurdistan Region's interior ministry accused the federal government of failing to address repeated drone incursions. Several explosive-laden drones have either crashed or been intercepted in the Region in recent weeks, following the June 24 ceasefire brokered by the United States between Iran and Israel, which ended their 12-day confrontation. The Region's interior ministry on Friday specifically accused the Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF) of involvement in the drone incidents. Baghdad promptly rejected the allegations the next day, calling the accusations against the PMF - a sovereign security force - 'unacceptable.'
Iraqi News
28-05-2025
- Politics
- Iraqi News
Iraq and Switzerland discuss the importance of developing cooperation in the field of counterterrorism
Baghdad – INA National Security Advisor Qasim al-Araji discussed on Wednesday the importance of developing cooperation in the field of counterterrorism with the Swiss Federal National Security Advisor Gabriel Le Chenger. The National Security Advisor's media office said in a statement received by the Iraqi News Agency (INA): "National Security Advisor Qasim al-Araji met in Moscow with the Swiss Federal National Security Advisor Gabriel Le Chenger," noting that "the meeting comes on the sidelines of the 13th International Meeting of Senior Officials Responsible for Security Issues, held in the Russian capital, Moscow." He added that "the meeting reviewed bilateral relations between the two countries and the importance of developing them and cooperating in the field of counterterrorism, with the Swiss side expressing its full support for Iraq in all fields." He indicated that "the holding of an international conference in Geneva next September on the Syrian al-Hawl camp was discussed." According to the statement, al-Araji extended "an official invitation to the Swiss Federal National Security Advisor to visit Iraq, and the Swiss side expressed its approval of the invitation to visit."
Iraqi News
28-05-2025
- Politics
- Iraqi News
Iraq's security indicatorsare positive, says Al-Araji
Baghdad – INA National Security Advisor Qasim al-Araji confirmed on Wednesday that Iraq's security assessment showed positive indicators of good levels of stability, adaptability, and effective response to existing challenges. He noted that Iraq believes that dialogue is the best way to resolve differences. Al-Araji's media office said in a statement received by the Iraqi News Agency (INA): "National Security Advisor Qasim al-Araji participated in the 13th International Meeting of Senior Officials Responsible for Security Issues held in the Russian capital, Moscow, and appreciated the efforts of the Russian Federation government and officials for their generous invitation to us to review and evaluate various security-related issues." According to the statement, al-Araji affirmed that "Iraq's security assessment showed positive indicators of good levels of stability, adaptability, and effective response to existing challenges," adding that "challenges and threats still clearly exist in the Middle East and North Africa, as well as in Eastern Europe." He continued, "The Middle East region faces grave challenges as a result of the ongoing war in Gaza and the accompanying extremely complex humanitarian conditions, due to the severe shortage of relief supplies and the difficulty of ensuring their safe and sustainable delivery." He also noted that "the situation in Syria continues to escalate due to ongoing Zionist attacks.". He continued, "Intense efforts are being made in Lebanon to achieve a permanent ceasefire and return citizens to the areas from which they were displaced by the war, which will contribute to building stability so that Lebanon can return to a safe, stable, independent, and sovereign country." He noted that "Iraq welcomed the decision of the Turkish Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) to dissolve itself and lay down its arms, which is a strategic step toward consolidating the peace process." He continued, "Iraq continues to closely monitor developments in the region, in coordination with its neighbors and friends, hoping to achieve broader results in the coming period." He emphasized "Iraq's support for all initiatives that contribute to ending the war between Russia and Ukraine, which has cast a shadow over stability in Europe and the Middle East." He explained, "We hope to reach a peaceful settlement through dialogue and understanding, with the support of the international community." Al-Araji added, "Sustainable security is closely linked to sustainable development and political stability, and any threat directed at either of these two paths will have direct repercussions on security at all levels." He continued, "Prime Minister and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, Mohammed Shia al-Sudani, announced the launch of a new National Security Strategy for Iraq for the period 2025–2030. This strategy is the result of significant efforts by the Iraqi National Security Advisor and official and unofficial government agencies, within a comprehensive vision to enhance stability, security, and development in the country." Al-Araji added, "Through Iraq's experience, and the accompanying grave threats and challenges in the field of combating terrorism and confronting terrorist organizations with geographical and international reach, it has become clear that achieving tangible results can only be achieved through effective international cooperation, both bilaterally and multilaterally." He continued, "Iraq has succeeded in combating terrorism thanks to a series of UN Security Council resolutions and bilateral cooperation, including cooperation with the Russian Federation within the Quadrilateral Center." He noted, "We are closely following the developments in the ongoing nuclear negotiations between the Islamic Republic of Iran and the United States of America, recognizing the direct repercussions that the outcome of these negotiations may have on the Middle East and the Gulf region." Al-Araji concluded, "We believe that dialogue is the best way to resolve differences, and we emphasize the importance of high-level international security meetings, given their critical significance, both in terms of the visions and initiatives presented therein and the bilateral and multilateral meetings achieved, whether within the official agenda or on the sidelines."
Shafaq News
27-05-2025
- Politics
- Shafaq News
Iraq-Iran discussions in Moscow: Security pact, PKK disarmament
Shafaq News/ On Tuesday, Iraqi National Security Advisor Qasim al-Araji and Iranian counterpart Ali Akbar Ahmadian met in Moscow to review a bilateral security pact and discuss PKK disarmament, at the sidelines of the 13th International Security Officials Meeting. The discussions focused on the 2023 Iraq-Iran security pact, aimed at enhancing cross-border coordination. Officials reviewed its implementation and addressed the potential consequences of the PKK's dissolution for border stability and regional dynamics. The PKK, designated a terrorist group by Turkiye, the United States, and the European Union, has long operated from northern Iraq, straining relations with Ankara. Talks also covered the situation in Syria, with both countries agreeing on the importance of safeguarding Syria's sovereignty, unity, and territorial integrity.
