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Iraq Urges UK to Cooperate in Cross-Border Crimes

Sudani receives British Security Minister Tom Tugendhat and the delegation accompanying him. (Iraqi premiership)
Sudani receives British Security Minister Tom Tugendhat and the delegation accompanying him. (Iraqi premiership)
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Iraq Urges UK to Cooperate in Cross-Border Crimes

Sudani receives British Security Minister Tom Tugendhat and the delegation accompanying him. (Iraqi premiership)
Sudani receives British Security Minister Tom Tugendhat and the delegation accompanying him. (Iraqi premiership)

Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia Al-Sudani called on Monday for cooperation with the UK in combating cross-border crimes and the extradition of criminals involved in corruption cases.

As he received British Security Minister Tom Tugendhat, Sudani “highlighted the need to collaborate with the British side to combat cross-border crimes, particularly smuggling, human trafficking, drug-related offenses, and recovering stolen funds as well as the extradition of individuals sought by the Iraqi judiciary for cases related to corruption,” read a statement from the premier’s office.

Sudani stated that combatting corruption is a popular demand and its danger isn’t restricted to Iraq but jeopardizes the world countries.

Iraq plans to ask Interpol to issue international alerts seeking the arrest of former senior officials including former prime minister Mustafa al-Kadhimi and an ex-intelligence chief over the alleged theft of more than $2.5 billion from the country’s Tax Commission.

Integrity Commission chief Judge Haider Hanoun announced the move to seek so-called Interpol Red Notices. Hanoun said the judiciary would also ask for a notice to be issued for the former finance minister, Ali Allawi, who holds British nationality.

Kadhimi and Allawi have both denied involvement in the alleged corruption, which came to light late last year after a new government came to power.

Allawi resigned in August 2022 citing political interference in government work and graft. He has since said that he took steps to prevent theft from occurring at the Tax Commission but that his decisions were ignored by other officials.

The Iraqi PM stressed that the government had prepared a national strategy to combat human trafficking in Iraq during 2023-2026 as well as a national strategy for combating drugs in 2023-2025.

He said his country has made “significant efforts” to combat drugs and human trafficking.

He further stressed that the Iraqi government welcomes the signing of a joint statement of intent and an MoU draft between the Iraqi and British interior ministries.

Sudani commended the UK’s support for Iraq in the war against ISIS.

The British minister expressed the UK’s willingness to provide further support and modern technologies to the Iraqi security forces.

During the meeting, the two sides discussed bilateral ties and agreed to increase cooperation in security and military, and in combatting terrorism and corruption.

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Arab World

Iraq Preoccupied with Potential Broad Israeli Attack

Iraqi PM Mohammed Shi al-Sudani at an emergency national security council meeting. (Iraqi government)
Iraqi PM Mohammed Shi al-Sudani at an emergency national security council meeting. (Iraqi government)
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Iraq Preoccupied with Potential Broad Israeli Attack

Iraqi PM Mohammed Shi al-Sudani at an emergency national security council meeting. (Iraqi government)
Iraqi PM Mohammed Shi al-Sudani at an emergency national security council meeting. (Iraqi government)

Baghdad has been preoccupied this week with serious possibilities that Israel may expand its war on Gaza and Lebanon by striking several targets in Iraq in retaliation to attacks by Iran-backed armed factions.

Concern has been high that Israel may attack government buildings, oil fields and strategic locations, not just the positions of the armed factions that have previously launched attacks against Israel, said sources close to the pro-Iran ruling Coordination Framework.

Media sources have spoken of government speculation that Iraq could come under “300 Israeli attacks”.

The fears in Iraq have been compounded by an Israeli complaint to the United Nations Security Council against seven armed factions and holding Baghdad responsible for the attacks they have carried out against it.

This prompted the government, through the foreign ministry, to send an official letter to the Security Council, UN Secretary-General, Arab League and Organization of Islamic Cooperation in response to the Israeli threats.

The ministry said on Saturday that Iraq is “the cornerstone of stability in the region and world and it is one of the countries that are most committed to the UN Charter.”

“The Zionist entity’s letter to the Security Council is part of a systematic policy aimed at creating claims and excuses in an attempt to expand the conflict in the region.”

It said Iraq has turned to the Security Council out of Iraq’s keenness on the international body carrying out its duty in maintaining international peace and security and the need to rein in the “Zionist aggression in Gaza and Lebanon.”

Moreover, it stressed that Iraq has been keen on exercising restraint when it comes to the use of its airspace to attack a neighboring country.

Israel has used Iraqi airspace to launch attacks against Iran in October.

Iraq underscored the importance of the international community stepping in to “stop this hostile behavior that is a flagrant violation of international law.”

It called for international efforts to stop the Israeli escalation in the region and ensure that international laws and treaties are respected to consolidate security and stability.

Meanwhile, a source close to the Coordination Framework said the main Shiite parties are taking the Israeli threats “very seriously”, urging Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani's government to take “all the necessary measures to avert a potential Israeli strike.”

All leaders of armed factions, as well as Shiite leaders, have taken up alternative locations and are moving under great secrecy, confirming that they have changed the majority of their military positions, said the source.

It also dismissed claims that Israeli jets have overflown Iraq, saying nothing has been confirmed, but not ruling out the possibility, especially since US forces have control over Iraqi skies and Iraq is helpless against stopping these violations.

Iraq had submitted a formal complaint to the UN and Security Council over Israel’s use and violation of its airspace to attack Iran.

Analyst and former diplomat Ghazi Faisal said the pro-Iran armed factions have been gathering their forces in the Sinjar province, which is strategic for Iran’s arms deliveries and logistic support to Syria where attacks can be carried out against American forces and the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights.

Sinjar is one of the most important strategic bases for the Iranian Revolutionary Guards Corps, he added.

Furthermore, he noted that the armed factions insist on continuing the war against Israel, rejecting government calls for calm and neutrality.

The government’s statements are aimed at delivering a message that it “is not directly responsible for the strategy of these factions,” which follow Iran’s policies.

Iraq has repeatedly said that it refuses for its territory to be used to attack another country, but some observers believe that it may allow Iran to do so should Israel strike.