Iraq Collaborates With NATO to Fight ISIS

Five ISIS terrorists died when three camps were destroyed by a coalition airstrike in Wadi al-Shai in rural Iraq on Friday (pictured)
Five ISIS terrorists died when three camps were destroyed by a coalition airstrike in Wadi al-Shai in rural Iraq on Friday (pictured)
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Iraq Collaborates With NATO to Fight ISIS

Five ISIS terrorists died when three camps were destroyed by a coalition airstrike in Wadi al-Shai in rural Iraq on Friday (pictured)
Five ISIS terrorists died when three camps were destroyed by a coalition airstrike in Wadi al-Shai in rural Iraq on Friday (pictured)

Iraqi Foreign Minister Fuad Hussein assured Monday that dialogue will continue with NATO on the mechanism of joint action in combating ISIS.

In a phone call with his French counterpart, Jean-Yves Le Drian, Hussein praised the important role of France in combating ISIS and the support provided to the Iraqi security forces through training and other logistical assistance, calling for the need to continue working together to defeat its threats.

On regional tensions and interventions, the Minister emphasized the responsibility of other countries in respecting the sovereignty of Iraq and following the principle of non-intervention, with the need for a new Iraqi policy that creates balanced relations with all neighboring countries.

For his part, Le Drian confirmed his country's support for the sovereignty of Iraq, praising the first round of strategic dialogue that took place between Baghdad and Washington and the agreement that included preserving the sovereignty of Iraq and the independence of the Iraqi decision, stressing the need to distance Iraq from tensions in the area.

Commenting on Iraqi-NATO coordination to fight ISIS, national security professor at Nahrain University Dr. Hussein Allawi described the relationship between the two sides as “strong.”

He told Asharq Al-Awsat that current contacts aim to enhance cooperation for security and intelligence training to help build the capacities of the Iraqi forces to face terrorism and strategic threats.

“NATO wishes to support the government of Mustafa al-Kadhimi,” Allawi said.

For his part, Matthew Morris, a spokesman for the US-led mission in Iraq and Syria told Asharq Al-Awsat that the Iraqi forces conducted more than 1000 group military operations against ISIS lately.

He said ISIS’ activities have decreased in the past days because the terrorist group was hit by military operations that crippled its nets in several Iraqi areas.

“However, ISIS still constitute a threat in Iraq, the Arab region and several parts around the world,” Morris said, adding that the Iraqi forces have become capable to plan and conduct operations against ISIS with the same level of the support that was offered by the Coalition in the past years.

Meanwhile, Joint Operations Command spokesman Major General Tahsin al-Khafaji announced early on Monday the launch of the third stage of Iraq’s Heroes Operation to clear and search areas in Salah al-Din Governorate and the boundaries with Diyala, Samarra, and Kirkuk governorates to combat ISIS sleeper cells.

The operation is led by the Iraqi army, members of the Popular Mobilization Forces, the Iraqi federal police, and will be supported by Iraqi air forces and coalition warplanes.



Netanyahu Offers Hamas Leaders Gaza Exit but Demands Group Disarm

A general view shows tents housing displaced Palestinians during Eid al-Fitr, which marks the end of the holy fasting month of Ramadan, in Gaza City on March 30, 2025. (Photo by Omar AL-QATTAA / AFP)
A general view shows tents housing displaced Palestinians during Eid al-Fitr, which marks the end of the holy fasting month of Ramadan, in Gaza City on March 30, 2025. (Photo by Omar AL-QATTAA / AFP)
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Netanyahu Offers Hamas Leaders Gaza Exit but Demands Group Disarm

A general view shows tents housing displaced Palestinians during Eid al-Fitr, which marks the end of the holy fasting month of Ramadan, in Gaza City on March 30, 2025. (Photo by Omar AL-QATTAA / AFP)
A general view shows tents housing displaced Palestinians during Eid al-Fitr, which marks the end of the holy fasting month of Ramadan, in Gaza City on March 30, 2025. (Photo by Omar AL-QATTAA / AFP)

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Sunday offered to let Hamas leaders leave Gaza but demanded the group abandon its arms, as his country kept up its bombardment of the Palestinian territory.

Gaza's civil defense agency said an Israeli air strike on a house and tent sheltering displaced Palestinians killed at least eight people, including five children.

The strike in Khan Yunis came in the morning on the first day of Eid al-Fitr, the festival marking the end of the Muslim fasting month of Ramadan.

Israel resumed intense bombing of the Palestinian territory on March 18 and then launched a new ground offensive, ending a nearly two-month ceasefire in the war with Hamas.

Netanyahu rejected criticism that his government was not engaging in negotiations aimed at releasing hostages held in Gaza, insisting the renewed military pressure on Hamas was proving effective.

"We are negotiating under fire... We can see cracks beginning to appear" in Hamas's positions, the Israeli leader told a cabinet meeting.

In the "final stage", Netanyahu said that "Hamas will lay down its weapons. Its leaders will be allowed to leave".

"The military pressure is working," Reuters quoted him as saying.

"The combination of military pressure and diplomatic pressure is the only thing that has brought the hostages back."

Hamas has expressed a willingness to relinquish Gaza's administration, but has warned its weapons are a "red line".

Egypt, Qatar and the United States are attempting to again broker a ceasefire and secure the release of Israeli hostages still held in Gaza.

A senior Hamas official stated on Saturday that the group had approved a new ceasefire proposal put forward by mediators and urged Israel to support it.

Netanyahu's office confirmed receipt of the proposal and stated that Israel had submitted a counterproposal in response.

However, the details of the latest mediation efforts remain undisclosed.