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Iraq’s Kadhimi Praises Meeting with Trump, Pro-Iran Factions Threaten Washington

The meeting of US President Donald Trump and Iraqi Prime Minister Mustafa Al-Kadhimi at the White House, Asharq Al-Awsat
The meeting of US President Donald Trump and Iraqi Prime Minister Mustafa Al-Kadhimi at the White House, Asharq Al-Awsat
    Washington, Baghdad - Moaz al-Omari, Asharq Al-Awsat
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Iraq’s Kadhimi Praises Meeting with Trump, Pro-Iran Factions Threaten Washington

The meeting of US President Donald Trump and Iraqi Prime Minister Mustafa Al-Kadhimi at the White House, Asharq Al-Awsat
The meeting of US President Donald Trump and Iraqi Prime Minister Mustafa Al-Kadhimi at the White House, Asharq Al-Awsat

Iraqi Prime Minister Mustafa Al-Kadhimi on Friday described his meeting with US President Donald Trump as significant and successful, and confirmed that both Iraqi and American sides have exited the meeting with comfort and ease.

“A series of principles were agreed upon, all of which are in the interests of the Iraqi people; principles which are related to the US presence, redefining the timeline of the US troops withdrawal from Iraq and relocating them outside the country,” Kadhimi said in an interview with Al Iraqiya.

Kadhimi noted that they agreed on the formation of a technical team to establish a mechanism for the deployment of US troops outside Iraq, noting that for the first time, the US had a clear stance on the Iraqi government's demands.

He noted that the US president said that the number of US troops in Iraq is very small, but that Iraq needs these forces to train and develop the army and security forces.

The Iraqi PM said that a series of agreements on oil and energy were signed, the most important of which is an oil contract in Dhi Qar province, and that this is a strategic project which has many benefits and interests for the province and Iraq in general.

Meanwhile, pro-Iran armed factions in Iraq released a joint statement voicing grave anger towards the results of Kadhimi’s visit to the US. They also threatened to escalate by targeting US interests in Iraq.

US Department of State Arabic Language Spokesperson Christiaan James, on the other hand, said that many political figures in Iraq are Iranian puppets and proxies.

Speaking to Asharq Al-Awsat, James noted that recent protests that swept Iraqi cities and governorates were directed against Iranian hegemony over Iraq. He added that Iran continues to work to control the political life and economy in Iraq and is behind spurring tensions and violence in the Levantine country.

James stressed that the US stands by the Iraqi people, and urged the government to undertake more reforms and swift measures to hold militias accountable for their attacks against peaceful Iraqi protesters.

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Burning Oil Tanker Safely Towed Away from Yemen After Houthi Attacks 

In this photo released of EUNAVFOR ASPIDES, the EU naval mission working in the Red Sea, on the X platform formerly known as Twitter, on Sept. 16, 2024, the Greek-flagged oil tanker MV-Sounion, left, is towed. (EUNAFOR ASPIDES via AP)
In this photo released of EUNAVFOR ASPIDES, the EU naval mission working in the Red Sea, on the X platform formerly known as Twitter, on Sept. 16, 2024, the Greek-flagged oil tanker MV-Sounion, left, is towed. (EUNAFOR ASPIDES via AP)
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Burning Oil Tanker Safely Towed Away from Yemen After Houthi Attacks 

In this photo released of EUNAVFOR ASPIDES, the EU naval mission working in the Red Sea, on the X platform formerly known as Twitter, on Sept. 16, 2024, the Greek-flagged oil tanker MV-Sounion, left, is towed. (EUNAFOR ASPIDES via AP)
In this photo released of EUNAVFOR ASPIDES, the EU naval mission working in the Red Sea, on the X platform formerly known as Twitter, on Sept. 16, 2024, the Greek-flagged oil tanker MV-Sounion, left, is towed. (EUNAFOR ASPIDES via AP)

Salvagers successfully towed a Greek-flagged oil tanker ablaze for weeks after attacks by Yemen's Iran-backed Houthi militias to a safe area without any oil spill, a European Union naval mission said Monday.

The Sounion reached waters away from Yemen as the Houthis meanwhile claimed that they shot down another American-made MQ-9 Reaper drone, with video circulating online showing what appeared to be a surface-to-air missile strike and flaming wreckage strewn across the ground.

The two events show the challenges still looming for the world as it tries to mitigate a monthslong campaign by the militias over the Israel-Hamas war raging in the Gaza Strip. While the Houthis allowed the Sounion to be moved, they continue to threaten ships moving through the Red Sea, a waterway that once saw $1 trillion in goods move through it a year.

The EU naval mission, known as Operation Aspides, issued a statement via the social platform X announcing the ship had been moved.

The Sounion “has been successfully towed to a safe area without any oil spill,” the EU mission said. “While private stakeholders complete the salvage operation, Aspides will continue to monitor the situation.”

The Houthis had no immediate comment and it wasn't clear where the vessel was, though it likely was taken north away from Yemen. Salvagers still need to offload some 1 million barrels of crude oil aboard the Sounion, which officials feared could leak into the Red Sea, killing marine life and damaging corals in the waterway.

Meanwhile, the US military said it was aware of the Houthis' claimed downing of a drone over the country's southwestern Dhamar province, without elaborating.

The Houthis have exaggerated claims in the past in their ongoing campaign targeting shipping in the Red Sea over the Israel-Hamas war. However, the online video bolstered the claim, particularly after two recent claims by the Houthis included no evidence.

Other videos showed armed Houthis gathered around the flaming wreckage, a propeller similar to those used by the armed drone visible in the flames. One attempted to pick up a piece of the metal before dropping it due to the heat. The Houthis later aired their own footage of the shootdown and debris.

Brig. Gen. Yahya Saree, a Houthi military spokesperson, identified the drone as an MQ-9, without elaborating on how he came to the determination. He said it was the third downed by the group in a week, though the other two claims did not include similar video or other evidence. The US military similarly has not acknowledged losing any aircraft.

Saree said the Houthis used a locally produced missile. However, Iran has armed the militants with a surface-to-air missile known as the 358 for years. Iran denies arming the Houthis, though Tehran-manufactured weaponry has been found on the battlefield and in seaborne shipments heading to Yemen despite a United Nations arms embargo.

Reapers, which cost around $30 million apiece, can fly at altitudes up to 50,000 feet (15,240 meters) and have an endurance of up to 24 hours before needing to land. The aircraft have been flown by both the US military and the CIA over Yemen for years.

The Houthis have targeted more than 80 merchant vessels with missiles and drones since the war in Gaza started in October. They seized one vessel and sank two in the campaign that has also killed four sailors. Other missiles and drones have either been intercepted by a US-led coalition in the Red Sea or failed to reach their targets, which have included Western military vessels as well.

The Houthis maintain that they target ships linked to Israel, the US or the UK to force an end to Israel’s campaign against Hamas in Gaza. However, many of the ships attacked have little or no connection to the conflict, including some bound for Iran.