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Iraq Boosts Fight against COVID-19 with 20 New Hospitals

An Iraqi phlebotomist holds a test tube containing a blood sample of a recovered COVID-19 patient at the blood bank of Iraq's southern city of Nasiriyah, on June 24, 2020. (AFP)
An Iraqi phlebotomist holds a test tube containing a blood sample of a recovered COVID-19 patient at the blood bank of Iraq's southern city of Nasiriyah, on June 24, 2020. (AFP)
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Iraq Boosts Fight against COVID-19 with 20 New Hospitals

An Iraqi phlebotomist holds a test tube containing a blood sample of a recovered COVID-19 patient at the blood bank of Iraq's southern city of Nasiriyah, on June 24, 2020. (AFP)
An Iraqi phlebotomist holds a test tube containing a blood sample of a recovered COVID-19 patient at the blood bank of Iraq's southern city of Nasiriyah, on June 24, 2020. (AFP)

Iraq has dedicated 20 new hospitals to fight the novel coronavirus pandemic, while announcing that it has recorded 2,179 new cases, 1,623 more recoveries and 103 deaths.

Technical Deputy of the Ministry of Environment Dr. Jassim Al-Falahi told the Iraqi News Agency on Thursday that the ministry seeks to increase the bed capacity to receive all coronavirus cases.

He added that a total of 20 hospitals will start operating in the coming period, which would increase the bed capacity to meet the demand.

On the decision to shut all private clinics for two weeks, Falahi explained it was due to some clinics treating COVID-19 cases in violation of orders.

He further said that clinics are not the right place to provide treatment for coronavirus infections or suspected cases, stressing that the purpose behind this decision is to guarantee the safety of doctors and individuals.

Falahi underlined the importance of abiding by the health and personal hygiene instructions, in addition to social distancing to curb the outbreak of COVID-19.

He added that Iraqi Prime Minister Mustafa al-Kadhimi inaugurated during the past days Al-Ataa hospital, located in Sadr City.

The Iraqi Ministry of Health and Environment announced that health officials had confirmed more than 2,000 new COVID-19 infections, bringing the total to 69,612 cases.

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Sudan’s Burhan Rules Out Peace Before Defeating RSF

Abdel Fattah al-Burhan greets his supporters in Omdurman, west of Khartoum, Sudan (File photo - AP)
Abdel Fattah al-Burhan greets his supporters in Omdurman, west of Khartoum, Sudan (File photo - AP)
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Sudan’s Burhan Rules Out Peace Before Defeating RSF

Abdel Fattah al-Burhan greets his supporters in Omdurman, west of Khartoum, Sudan (File photo - AP)
Abdel Fattah al-Burhan greets his supporters in Omdurman, west of Khartoum, Sudan (File photo - AP)

Sudan’s transitional Sovereign Council leader, Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, has pledged to press on with the war until the entire country is “liberated,” and vowed to eradicate what he called “the militia, their agents, and collaborators.”

He accused “colonial powers” of supporting the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) with money, weapons, and mercenaries.

Speaking in Mauritania on Tuesday, Burhan said the fighting would not cease until “every inch desecrated by these criminals” is reclaimed.

He vowed to continue military operations until “all cities, villages, and rural areas in our beloved Sudan are freed,” according to a statement from the Sovereign Council’s media office.

Burhan said his country’s ties with domestic and foreign parties depend on their stance toward the ongoing war.

Burhan is on a tour of African nations, including Mali, Guinea-Bissau, Sierra Leone, Senegal, and Mauritania. Observers say the trip aims to restore Sudan’s African Union membership, suspended after the October 2021 coup, and rally support against the RSF.

Speaking in Mauritania, Burhan vowed to defeat the RSF, accusing them of crimes under the leadership of Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo, generally referred to as Hemedti, and called for unity to end his influence.

“Our message is on the battlefield, not through words, until these criminals are eliminated,” he said.

Burhan insisted peace is only possible if the RSF and their allies are removed. “We support peace, but only if these Janjaweed and their mercenaries no longer exist,” he stated.

He described the conflict as a “battle for dignity,” saying it is a fight to protect the honor and homes of Sudanese citizens.