Iraq Executes 6 People, Including Syrian, in Terror Cases

Vehicles used for suicide car bombings, made by ISIS militants, are seen at Federal Police Headquarters after being confiscated in Mosul, Iraq July 13, 2017. REUTERS/Thaier Al-Sudani
Vehicles used for suicide car bombings, made by ISIS militants, are seen at Federal Police Headquarters after being confiscated in Mosul, Iraq July 13, 2017. REUTERS/Thaier Al-Sudani
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Iraq Executes 6 People, Including Syrian, in Terror Cases

Vehicles used for suicide car bombings, made by ISIS militants, are seen at Federal Police Headquarters after being confiscated in Mosul, Iraq July 13, 2017. REUTERS/Thaier Al-Sudani
Vehicles used for suicide car bombings, made by ISIS militants, are seen at Federal Police Headquarters after being confiscated in Mosul, Iraq July 13, 2017. REUTERS/Thaier Al-Sudani

Six "criminals" were executed in Iraq this week in terrorism related cases, the justice ministry said on Thursday.

The ministry, in a statement, said they were put to death for having "shed the blood of Iraqis" after their appeals were rejected and the sentences ratified by the presidency.

Forensic sources told Agence France Presse that at least one of them was a Syrian national.

Meanwhile, Iraqi Kurdish leader Massoud Barzani and the commander of the peshmerga forces attended the graduation ceremony of peshmerga fighters, who have completed their six-month training.

The ceremony, celebrating the graduation of the class of "coexistence," coincided with the anniversary of the establishment of The Kurdistan Democratic Party.

“We need to achieve reform and take large and swift steps … in order to improve the situation of the Kurdistan region,” Barzani said.

“That would only be achieved through transparent parliamentary elections and the formation of a strong government (in the region) that receives the backing of all sides so that in its turn it takes the helm of responsibility in implementing the needed reforms,” he said.

The elections should be held on time next September, without any delay, he stressed.

“Rather than mulling how to delay the polls, we should think of holding them in a transparent manner and without obstacles,” said Barzani.

He also called for having international monitors and representatives of international and local organizations during the elections..

“The Democratic Party rejects any postponement,” he reiterated.



Blinken Speaks to Israel’s Dermer about Humanitarian Situation in Gaza

 A man sits on rubble of a house destroyed in an Israeli strike at the Nuseirat refugee camp, central Gaza Strip, on November 12, 2024, amid the ongoing war between Israel and the Palestinian group Hamas. (AFP)
A man sits on rubble of a house destroyed in an Israeli strike at the Nuseirat refugee camp, central Gaza Strip, on November 12, 2024, amid the ongoing war between Israel and the Palestinian group Hamas. (AFP)
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Blinken Speaks to Israel’s Dermer about Humanitarian Situation in Gaza

 A man sits on rubble of a house destroyed in an Israeli strike at the Nuseirat refugee camp, central Gaza Strip, on November 12, 2024, amid the ongoing war between Israel and the Palestinian group Hamas. (AFP)
A man sits on rubble of a house destroyed in an Israeli strike at the Nuseirat refugee camp, central Gaza Strip, on November 12, 2024, amid the ongoing war between Israel and the Palestinian group Hamas. (AFP)

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken emphasized the importance of improving the humanitarian situation in Gaza in a meeting with Israeli Minister of Strategic Affairs Ron Dermer in Washington on Monday, the State Department said.

Dermer updated Blinken on operational changes and policy decisions taken by Israel in response to a US letter sent in October, the department said in a statement on Tuesday.

Blinken "emphasized the importance of ensuring those changes lead to an actual improvement in the dire humanitarian situation in Gaza, including through the delivery of additional assistance to civilians throughout Gaza," State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller said in the statement.