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Russian, Iraqi FM Agree to Solve Kurdistan Crisis Based on Constitution

Russian foreign minister Sergey Lavrov (R) shakes hands with his Iraqi counterpart, Ibrahim Al Jaafari, at the end of a joint press conference following their meeting in Moscow on October 23, 2017. Kirill Kudryavtsev / AFP
Russian foreign minister Sergey Lavrov (R) shakes hands with his Iraqi counterpart, Ibrahim Al Jaafari, at the end of a joint press conference following their meeting in Moscow on October 23, 2017. Kirill Kudryavtsev / AFP
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Russian, Iraqi FM Agree to Solve Kurdistan Crisis Based on Constitution

Russian foreign minister Sergey Lavrov (R) shakes hands with his Iraqi counterpart, Ibrahim Al Jaafari, at the end of a joint press conference following their meeting in Moscow on October 23, 2017. Kirill Kudryavtsev / AFP
Russian foreign minister Sergey Lavrov (R) shakes hands with his Iraqi counterpart, Ibrahim Al Jaafari, at the end of a joint press conference following their meeting in Moscow on October 23, 2017. Kirill Kudryavtsev / AFP

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov on Monday expressed hope that situations wouldn't deteriorate between Baghdad and Erbil, calling for dialogue between Iraqi Kurdistan and the country’s central government.

"We understand the hopes of Kurdish people to strive and strengthen their identity … but it would be right to realize these hopes through dialogue with the Iraqi government," Russian FM Sergey Lavrov said on Monday after talks with his Iraqi counterpart, Ibrahim al-Jaafari.

Jaafari is on an official visit to Moscow and has held talks with his Russian counterpart where the two discussed the September referendum in Kurdistan.

He confirmed that Russia favors of resolving the problems through constructive talks adding that Baghdad does not "reject" Kurds, ban their language or destroy their monuments, so "all components" are in place for them to figure out how to "live together in a unified Iraq".

Lavrov said he doesn’t “see war yet” between the two groups, and suggested perhaps a mediator was needed between Baghdad and Erbil.

"The sides should decide if they will engage in direct dialogue or if they need some sort of intermediaries," he added.

He stressed that Russia supports a unified Iraq and is committed to Iraq’s territorial integrity.

Lavrov said Russia would continue its economic ties with Iraqi Kurdistan, as it does with other constituent parts of Iraq. He reiterated that Moscow is not closing its consulate in Erbil, but explained that the mission was subordinate to the Russian embassy in Baghdad.

For his part, Iraqi FM described the referendum as "unconstitutional" because Article 1 of the Iraqi Constitution says that Iraq is a sovereign, single and indivisible state.

"The Constitution really provides our Kurdish brothers with an opportunity to create their own region but it does not mean they have a right to secede from Iraq," Jaafari added.

Jaafri told reporters that there is a problem related to the referendum in Kurdistan, given that the whole international community, Arab League, and the UN Security Council have expressed support for Iraq.

"I would like to emphasize that Russia as well has a very friendly stance on this issue in relation to us. Because Russia also respects our Kurdish brothers who are an indispensable part of our nation," Jaafari added.

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Arab World

Hezbollah Chief Accuses Lebanese Authorities of Working ‘in the Interest of What Israel Wants’

Hezbollah leader Naim Qassem
Hezbollah leader Naim Qassem
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Hezbollah Chief Accuses Lebanese Authorities of Working ‘in the Interest of What Israel Wants’

Hezbollah leader Naim Qassem
Hezbollah leader Naim Qassem

Hezbollah leader Naim Qassem on Sunday said moves to disarm the group in Lebanon are an "Israeli-American plan,” accusing Israel of failing to abide by a ceasefire agreement sealed last year.

Under heavy US pressure and fears of expanded Israeli strikes, the Lebanese military is expected to complete Hezbollah's disarmament south of the Litani River -- located about 30 kilometers from the border with Israel -- by the end of the year.

It will then tackle disarming the Iran-backed movement in the rest of the country.

"Disarmament is an Israeli-American plan," Qassem said.

"To demand exclusive arms control while Israel is committing aggression and America is imposing its will on Lebanon, stripping it of its power, means that you are not working in Lebanon's interest, but rather in the interest of what Israel wants."

Despite a November 2024 ceasefire that was supposed to end more than a year of hostilities between Israel and Hezbollah, Israel has kept up strikes on Lebanon and has maintained troops in five areas it deems strategic.

According to the agreement, Hezbollah was required to pull its forces north of the Litani River and have its military infrastructure in the vacated area dismantled.

Israel has questioned the Lebanese military's effectiveness and has accused Hezbollah of rearming, while the group itself has rejected calls to surrender its weapons.

"The deployment of the Lebanese army south of the Litani River was required only if Israel had adhered to its commitments... to halting the aggression, withdrawing, releasing prisoners, and having reconstruction commence," Qassem said in a televised address.

"With the Israeli enemy not implementing any of the steps of the agreement... Lebanon is no longer required to take any action on any level before the Israelis commit to what they are obligated to do."

Lebanese army chief Rodolphe Haykal told a military meeting on Tuesday "the army is in the process of finishing the first phase of its plan.”

He said the army is carefully planning "for the subsequent phases" of disarmament.

Arab World

Israel Army Ends Crackdown on West Bank Town after Attack

Smoke rises following an explosion detonated by the Israeli army, which said it was destroying buildings used by Palestinian militants in the West Bank Jenin refugee camp, Sunday, February 2, 2025. © Majdi Mohammed, AP
Smoke rises following an explosion detonated by the Israeli army, which said it was destroying buildings used by Palestinian militants in the West Bank Jenin refugee camp, Sunday, February 2, 2025. © Majdi Mohammed, AP
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Israel Army Ends Crackdown on West Bank Town after Attack

Smoke rises following an explosion detonated by the Israeli army, which said it was destroying buildings used by Palestinian militants in the West Bank Jenin refugee camp, Sunday, February 2, 2025. © Majdi Mohammed, AP
Smoke rises following an explosion detonated by the Israeli army, which said it was destroying buildings used by Palestinian militants in the West Bank Jenin refugee camp, Sunday, February 2, 2025. © Majdi Mohammed, AP

The Israeli military said on Sunday it had ended its operation in a town in the occupied West Bank that it had sealed off after a Palestinian from the area killed two Israelis.

Around 50 residents of Qabatiya were briefly detained during the two-day operation, the official Palestinian news agency Wafa reported, quoting the town's mayor Ahmed Zakarneh.

The attacker's father and two brothers remained in custody, it added.

The military launched the operation on Friday, shortly after a 34-year-old Palestinian fatally stabbed an 18-year-old Israeli woman and ran over a man in his sixties with his vehicle.

When contacted by AFP on Sunday morning, the military confirmed the end of its operation in the area.

Defense Minister Israel Katz previously said the army had completely sealed off the town.

Wafa also reported that Israeli troops had withdrawn from Qabatiya, near the city of Jenin.

Zakarneh said the town had been in a state of "total paralysis" during the military activity.

Israeli army bulldozers tore up pavement on several streets and erected roadblocks to halt traffic, he said, adding that around 50 houses were searched.

Wafa reported that a school had been turned into a detention and interrogation center.

AFPTV footage filmed on Saturday showed Israeli soldiers carrying automatic rifles and patrolling the streets, where several armoured vehicles were deployed.

Shops were closed, though men and children were seen walking through the village.

On Sunday, the Israeli army said it had sealed off the assailant's home and was finalising "the procedures required for its demolition".

Israeli authorities argue that demolishing the homes of Palestinians who carry out attacks against Israelis has a deterrent effect.

Critics, however, condemn the practice as collective punishment that leaves families homeless.

Arab World

Arab League Council Holds Extraordinary Session on Latest Developments in Somalia

A general view shows the opening session of the meeting of Arab foreign ministers at the Arab League Headquarters (Reuters)
A general view shows the opening session of the meeting of Arab foreign ministers at the Arab League Headquarters (Reuters)
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Arab League Council Holds Extraordinary Session on Latest Developments in Somalia

A general view shows the opening session of the meeting of Arab foreign ministers at the Arab League Headquarters (Reuters)
A general view shows the opening session of the meeting of Arab foreign ministers at the Arab League Headquarters (Reuters)

At the request of the Federal Republic of Somalia and with the support of Arab League member states, the Arab League Council on Sunday began its extraordinary session at the league’s General Secretariat, at the level of permanent representatives and under the chairmanship of the United Arab Emirates, to discuss developments regarding the Israeli occupation authorities’ declaration on mutual recognition with the Somaliland region.

The Kingdom’s delegation to the meeting was headed by its Permanent Representative to the Arab League Ambassador Abdulaziz bin Abdullah Al-Matar, SPA reported.

The meeting is discussing ways to strengthen the unified Arab position in addressing this step, to affirm full solidarity with Somalia, and to support its legitimate institutions in a manner that contributes to preserving security and stability in the region.

The meeting also aims to reaffirm the Arab League’s categorical rejection of any unilateral measures or decisions that could undermine Somalia’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, and to emphasize commitment to the principles of international law and the relevant resolutions of the Arab League and the African Union.