عربي English Türkçe اردو فارسى
Logo
Latest News
Arab World

Network for Security, Defense Research Centers Established in Rabat

Driss Benomar, Executive Chairman of the Atlantis think tank. (Asharq Al-Awsat)
Driss Benomar, Executive Chairman of the Atlantis think tank. (Asharq Al-Awsat)
TT
TT

Network for Security, Defense Research Centers Established in Rabat

Driss Benomar, Executive Chairman of the Atlantis think tank. (Asharq Al-Awsat)
Driss Benomar, Executive Chairman of the Atlantis think tank. (Asharq Al-Awsat)

The founding conference for the Network of African Security and Defense Research Centers will be held on Tuesday in Rabat with the participation of 37 research centers from Africa, as well as specialized centers from China, Brazil, Argentina, the United States, France, Belgium, Spain and Morocco.

This conference is taking place on the sidelines of the fourth edition of the Africa Security Forum, which opened on Monday with the participation of hundreds of figures from different countries under the theme, “The impact of climate change on security in Africa”.

“The aim of this conference is to bring together the 140 African research centers specialized in security and defense issues,” Driss Benomar, Executive Chairman of the Atlantis think tank in Casablanca, told Asharq Al-Awsat.

Speaking on the benefits of forming a network, Benomar said: “African defense and security research and studies centers will have greater weight in their dealings with relevant regional and international institutions. Their recommendations and suggestions will gain even more strength when they are presented by a 140-seat club rather than by individual centers.”

The three-day Africa Security Forum focuses on three major issues: "Demographic Growth and Agricultural Development", "Food Security and Water Management" and "Anticipating Tomorrow's Solutions".

Hundreds of high-level personalities and government representatives from 35 African countries and 400 participants from the other continents are expected to find solutions to curb the adverse impacts of climate change on food security, terrorism, development, and biodiversity that grips the continent.

Most Viewed

 
 
Arab World

Baghdad Urges Washington to Prevent ‘Imminent’ Israeli Strikes

Sudani visiting a market in Baghdad on Thursday (Government media)
Sudani visiting a market in Baghdad on Thursday (Government media)
TT
TT

Baghdad Urges Washington to Prevent ‘Imminent’ Israeli Strikes

Sudani visiting a market in Baghdad on Thursday (Government media)
Sudani visiting a market in Baghdad on Thursday (Government media)

Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia Al-Sudani on Thursday called on major powers to “exert greater efforts to end the war in Palestine and Lebanon.” Meanwhile, an Iraqi government official urged the United States to “prevent any attacks on the country,” referring to potential Israeli strikes.
During a phone conversation with Russian President Vladimir Putin, Al-Sudani stressed the importance of ensuring the conflict does not escalate “to a level that threatens regional and global stability.”
The Iraqi prime minister’s appeal comes amid reports suggesting that Israel may launch strikes on Iraq in retaliation for attacks by Iraqi armed factions targeting Israeli positions.
The Iraqi government is striving to assert its exclusive authority over weapons and war-related decisions. However, armed factions affiliated with the Axis of Resistance openly claim responsibility for near-daily rocket attacks on Israel. This has provided Israel with a justification for potentially targeting Iraqi territory, especially after it filed a complaint with the UN Security Council against six Iraqi factions and held Baghdad responsible for the attacks.
These factions have also openly declared their involvement in the ongoing conflict with Israel in Lebanon and Gaza. The Iraqi government has been unable to take decisive action to halt the activities of these factions, which many believe could soon expose Iraq to an Israeli strike.
According to media reports, Washington has warned Baghdad that Israeli airstrikes on Iraq are “imminent” unless the Iraqi government curtails attacks by Iranian-backed factions on Israel. The Times of Israel cited sources indicating that the United States has “exhausted all means of pressure on Israel” and urged Iraq to act swiftly to prevent such attacks.
Despite repeated assurances from the Iraqi government—including its recent adoption of 12 measures by the National Security Council to counter Israeli threats and complaints—the situation remains tense. These measures include monitoring Iraq’s western borders, preventing factions from launching attacks, and maintaining Iraq’s neutrality in the ongoing conflict.
On Wednesday, Abu Hussein Al-Hamidawi, Secretary-General of Kata’ib Hezbollah, made a striking statement on the role of resistance factions in the war and their commitment to the Unity of Fronts doctrine frequently mentioned by Axis of Resistance groups.
In an interview published by the faction’s media arm, Al-Hamidawi said: “The continuity of the Unity of Fronts concept depends on what the Lebanese Hezbollah decides.”
Al-Hamidawi also emphasized that resistance factions are constantly coordinating internally and with external partners such as Hezbollah, the Houthis, and Palestinian resistance leaders.
“We aim to ensure that the Palestinian people are not left alone and that the Unity of Fronts remains intact,” he stated.
Fadi Al-Shammari, a political advisor to Sudani, reiterated that Israel’s threats “are not new,” citing the recent complaint filed by Israel with the UN Security Council as part of its pattern of issuing threats.
In media statements, Al-Shammari reaffirmed the Iraqi government’s long-standing position: “The decision of war and peace lies solely with the Iraqi government.”
He noted that the factions’ attacks are being launched from areas outside Iraq’s borders, specifically from Syria. However, he stressed that the Iraqi government is working through its security and military agencies to prevent Iraq from becoming a battlefield for external or internal parties.
Al-Shammari also called on the United States to fulfill its responsibilities under the Strategic Framework Agreement and security pact with Iraq, emphasizing the need to deter and respond to any external attacks that threaten Iraq’s internal security.