Latest news with #ShafaqNews
Shafaq News
an hour ago
- Politics
- Shafaq News
Syrian Kurdish Network presses for journalist's release
Shafaq News – Damascus The Syrian Kurdish Journalists Network on Saturday demanded the immediate, unconditional release of journalist Hassan Zaza, who was detained without explanation. According to the network, General Security forces first arrived at Zaza's family home in the Rukn al-Din neighborhood of Damascus on Friday while he was away, then arrested him around 5 p.m. His relatives have received no information about his whereabouts or the reasons for his detention. Zaza, a member of the General Council of the Free Media Union and Syria's representative to the International Federation of Arab Journalists, suffers from chronic illnesses requiring regular medical care, a relative told Shafaq News. The Journalists Network condemned the arrest as a violation of press freedom and protections guaranteed by the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, urging authorities to clarify the grounds for Zaza's detention and to ensure journalists can work free from arbitrary interference. In May, security forces briefly detained Channel 8 journalist Akram Saleh and cameraman Joudi Haj Ali while covering clashes in Sahnaya near Damascus — an incident the Syrian Information Minister later described as a mistake.
Shafaq News
an hour ago
- Shafaq News
SOURCE: Crashed Iranian drone found in Iraq's Kirkuk
Shafaq News – Kirkuk Iraqi security forces recovered an Iranian-made drone that crashed in Kirkuk province, a source reported on Saturday. 'Patrol units found the wreckage during a sweep in the village of Shalgam in the Riyadh subdistrict, about 45 kilometers southwest of the provincial capital,' the source told Shafaq News. Investigators suspect the drone went down during the recent Iran-Israel clashes, the source noted.
Shafaq News
an hour ago
- Business
- Shafaq News
Iraq: Air defense deals imminent with US, France, South Korea
Shafaq News – Baghdad Iraq is in negotiations with five countries, including the United States, France, and South Korea, to acquire advanced air defense and radar systems, a parliamentary official said on Saturday. Ali al-Bandawi, a member of Parliament's Security and Defense Committee, confirmed to Shafaq News that Baghdad has launched formal talks aimed at strengthening the country's airspace protection with the three named countries, in addition to two others not yet publicly identified. Iraq currently lacks an integrated national air defense network and relies on limited systems that do not cover its full territory, leaving its airspace vulnerable to unauthorized incursions. 'Our country needs a modern air defense system to prevent external violations and preserve national sovereignty,' al-Bandawi noted, adding that discussions cover high-precision radar and other strategic technologies. Iraq's armed forces have relied on foreign defense procurement since the early 2000s, with recent efforts focused on rebuilding deterrence amid regional instability and increasing pressure to assert airspace sovereignty—particularly following repeated breaches during the 12-day conflict between Iran and Israel. Fighter jets, drones, and missiles crossed Iraqi skies during the clashes, drawing domestic criticism over Baghdad's inability to intercept threats. In response, Iraqi forces positioned short-range air defense units near a southern oil facility to shield critical infrastructure. Additionally, the country signed a $118M defense contract with US-based defense contractor Vectrus Systems to support its fleet of F-16 fighter jets.
Shafaq News
3 hours ago
- Business
- Shafaq News
47,000 Iraqis left Turkiye in 2024
Shafaq News – Ankara/Baghdad A total of 47,517 Iraqis left Turkiye for other countries in 2024, according to data released by the Turkish Statistical Institute on Saturday. The figure marks a notable drop from the 66,300 departures recorded in 2023. Despite the decline, Iraqis remained the largest group of foreign nationals exiting the country, followed by Afghans and Russians.
Shafaq News
4 hours ago
- Health
- Shafaq News
Malnutrition kills 66 children in Gaza
Shafaq News – Gaza At least 66 children have died from malnutrition in Gaza, with restrictions on aid deliveries continuing, the Health Ministry in the enclave reported on Saturday. Access to food, clean water and medical supplies remains severely limited across the territory, where thousands of children are suffering from severe acute malnutrition. Humanitarian workers have also warned that, without immediate intervention, the death toll among children is likely to rise further, emphasizing the urgency of reopening border crossings to prevent additional loss of life. According to the Palestinian Central Bureau of Statistics, Israeli operations have killed at least 55,999 Palestinians, mostly women and children, since October 2023. As the humanitarian crisis worsens, an Egyptian source informed Russia Today that preparations are underway for a US-backed meeting in Doha aimed at securing a long-term ceasefire. The upcoming talks, involving Egyptian and Qatari mediators, are expected to center on a comprehensive proposal that includes a cessation of hostilities, the release of hostages, and the entry of humanitarian aid, with a focus on reconstruction efforts. Mediators have also urged Washington to press Israel for at least a two-week pause in military operations to enable formal negotiations to begin. Earlier this week
