Baghdad, Erbil Coordinate Intelligence, Military Operations

A general view shows the Citadel of Erbil in Erbil, Iraq April 23, 2017. REUTERS/Azad Lashkari
A general view shows the Citadel of Erbil in Erbil, Iraq April 23, 2017. REUTERS/Azad Lashkari
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Baghdad, Erbil Coordinate Intelligence, Military Operations

A general view shows the Citadel of Erbil in Erbil, Iraq April 23, 2017. REUTERS/Azad Lashkari
A general view shows the Citadel of Erbil in Erbil, Iraq April 23, 2017. REUTERS/Azad Lashkari

Iraq's military spokesman Yehya Rasool unveiled a joint military cooperation between the federal government and Kurdistan to exchange intelligence information and track down ISIS terrorist cells in addition to filling the military gap in some Iraqi cities and provinces.

Rasool highlighted joint security meetings and understandings between Iraqi Joint Forces Command and Kurdistan border guards. The meetings focused on discussing cooperation and coordination with regard to conducting joint military operations in some areas where intelligence information indicates the presence of ISIS terrorist cells, as well as exchanging intelligence information.

Rasool pointed out that "the areas in which joint cooperation takes place start from Diyala, Khanaqin, Kirkuk, and other regions and other areas witnessing terrorist ISIS activities.

Earlier, the Iraqi joint forces conducted security operations to secure several regions within “Heroes of Iraq 4”.

Moreover, the Military Intelligence Directorate stated Sunday that two ISIS terrorists were arrested in Kirkuk governorate.

In a statement, the directorate said: "The arrest took place in an operation carried out according to accurate intelligence information", adding that the terrorists used to provide logistical support to ISIS, including food and communication devices. Besides, they participated in the clashes with the Iraqi security forces.

"Terrorists are wanted by the judiciary under an arrest warrant," the statement indicated.

In another context, Anbar Criminal Court, in its first instance, issued a death sentence by hanging for the criminal who killed soldier Mustafa al-Athari in Falluja in May 2015. Athatri's body was hung on the Fallujah Bridge, sparking a wave of popular anger.

The Media Center of the Supreme Judicial Council stated that “the convicted person confessed to having committed the crime, and the court issued the verdict in accordance with Article 4/1 of the Anti-Terrorism Law."



Syria to Take Time Organizing National Dialogue, Foreign Minister Says

 Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad Hassan al-Shibani speaks during a press conference with Jordanian Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi in Amman, Jordan January 7, 2025. (Reuters)
Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad Hassan al-Shibani speaks during a press conference with Jordanian Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi in Amman, Jordan January 7, 2025. (Reuters)
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Syria to Take Time Organizing National Dialogue, Foreign Minister Says

 Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad Hassan al-Shibani speaks during a press conference with Jordanian Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi in Amman, Jordan January 7, 2025. (Reuters)
Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad Hassan al-Shibani speaks during a press conference with Jordanian Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi in Amman, Jordan January 7, 2025. (Reuters)

Syria will take its time to organize a landmark national dialogue conference to ensure that the preparations include all segments of Syrian society, Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shibani said on Tuesday, according to state media.

The conference is meant to bring together Syrians from across society to chart a new path for the nation after opposition factions ousted autocratic President Bashar al-Assad. Assad, whose family had ruled Syria for 54 years, fled to Russia.

"We will take our time with the national dialogue conference to have the opportunity to form a preparatory committee that can accommodate the comprehensive representation of Syria from all segments and governments," Shibani said.

Diplomats and visiting envoys had in recent days told Syria's new rulers it would be better not to rush the conference to improve its chances of success, rather than yield mixed results, two diplomats said.

The new government has not yet decided on a date for the conference, sources previously told Reuters, and several members of opposition groups have recently said that they had not received invitations.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said on Tuesday time was needed for Syria to pick itself up again and rebuild following Assad's overthrow, and that the damage to infrastructure from 13 years of civil war looked worse than anticipated.

Since Assad's fall on Dec. 8, Türkiye has repeatedly said it would provide any help needed to help its neighbor rebuild, and has sent its foreign minister, intelligence chief, and an energy ministry delegation to discuss providing it with electricity.

Türkiye shares a 911-km (565-mile) border with Syria and has carried out several cross-border incursions against Kurdish YPG militants it views as terrorists.