Damascus Security Forces Issue Order to Arrest Gaddafi’s Daughter-in-Law

General view shows Damascus, Syria. Reuters file photo
General view shows Damascus, Syria. Reuters file photo
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Damascus Security Forces Issue Order to Arrest Gaddafi’s Daughter-in-Law

General view shows Damascus, Syria. Reuters file photo
General view shows Damascus, Syria. Reuters file photo

An official directive has been issued by security forces in Damascus to arrest the daughter-in-law of former Libyan dictator Muammar Al-Gaddafi, who has been accused of deliberately running over policemen and pedestrians in the Syrian capital on Sunday night.

The order for Aline Skaf’s arrest follows a media scandal erupting over an influential figure stepping in to rescue her from arrest on the night of the incident.

Media outlets have reported that an unknown influential figure in Syria personally intervened to disperse internal security forces that surrounded the crime scene at the Chiekh Saad neighborhood, where Skaf rammed into three policemen and two civilians in a four-wheel drive vehicle.

“No one cares for the innocent victims, all that matters is that Gaddafi’s daughter-in-law remains happy that there is someone to support her,” an angered resident of Chiekh Saad complained to Asharq Al-Awsat.

“When we heard the sound of the shooting, we thought that it was a pursuit of terrorists, and it did not occur to us that the case involved a drunk woman cursing the police, security forces and a senior official in the country,” they recounted from the night of the incident.

“Despite all that, she went unpunished,” they added cynically, noting that the poor who do not enjoy clout in the country do not even dare to raise their voices at authorities.

Opposition news site “Voice of the Capital” published a number of pictures of the accident that shook Damascus, showing “a woman ramming through crowds and running over at least three policemen, two civilians, and motorbikes, while driving carelessly in the Mazzeh neighborhood, near the 14th buildings.”

Local sources confirmed that the vehicle was a four-wheel drive and was accompanied by an escort vehicle.

After the escort tried to use weapons to open the road, the security cordon was tightened and forcibly stopped Skaf’s car. Skaf was screaming and cursing hysterically.



Iraqi Foreign Minister: We Have Received Explicit Israeli Threats

Iraqi President Abdul Latif Rashid addresses the Peace Forum in Duhok (Rudaw Network)
Iraqi President Abdul Latif Rashid addresses the Peace Forum in Duhok (Rudaw Network)
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Iraqi Foreign Minister: We Have Received Explicit Israeli Threats

Iraqi President Abdul Latif Rashid addresses the Peace Forum in Duhok (Rudaw Network)
Iraqi President Abdul Latif Rashid addresses the Peace Forum in Duhok (Rudaw Network)

Iraqi Foreign Minister Fuad Hussein stated on Friday that Iraq has received explicit threats from Israel, adding that the country’s armed forces have been instructed by the prime minister to prevent any attacks originating from Iraqi territory.

According to the Iraqi News Agency (INA), Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani directed the armed forces to take action against anyone launching attacks from the country. The foreign minister emphasized that Iraq does not seek war and aims to avoid its dangers, noting that the region is “on fire” and facing “clear threats from Israel.”

The agency also reported that the Iraqi government has requested an emergency meeting of the Arab League Council to address Israeli threats. Iraq’s permanent representative to the Arab League submitted a request for a session at the level of permanent representatives of member states to confront what was described as menaces from the “Zionist entity.”

Earlier, Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar announced that he had sent a message to the president of the UN Security Council urging immediate action against activities of Iran-backed militias in Iraq. Sa’ar asserted that the Iraqi government bears responsibility for any actions occurring within or emanating from its territory.

Meanwhile, Iraqi officials have expressed pessimism about the outcome of the ongoing war in the Middle East. Nevertheless, they emphasized Baghdad’s commitment to supporting efforts to achieve lasting peace and security.

Speaking at the American University Forum in Duhok on Friday, Iraqi Parliament Speaker Mahmoud al-Mashhadani highlighted that the challenges facing Iraq have fundamentally changed since October 7.

He described the current situation in the Middle East as a “second Nakba”, stressing that the challenges stem from the failure of the international system, which he described as “ambiguous.”

Iraqi President Abdul Latif Rashid stated that Iraq would play its role in promoting peace in the Middle East and expressed his full support for efforts aimed at achieving a peaceful resolution to the Kurdish issue in Türkiye.

Speaking at the Duhok Forum, Rashid said that Iraq and the region are facing circumstances that require all parties to closely monitor the situation and find appropriate solutions to ongoing problems, emphasizing the need for lasting peace and security.

Masoud Barzani, leader of the Kurdistan Democratic Party, called for Iraq to remain neutral in the conflict, saying: “The crises in the region and the scenes of war in Lebanon and Gaza are tragic. We hope this suffering will come to an end.”

“We are all awaiting changes following the US presidential election. All indications suggest that a Trump administration will adopt a different approach compared to President Biden’s policies,” he added.

The Iraqi government has stated that under the Strategic Framework Agreement and security pact with the United States, Washington is responsible for “deterring and responding to any external attacks that threaten Iraq’s internal security.”

According to media reports, the US has informed Baghdad that Israeli military strikes on Iraq are “imminent” unless Baghdad prevents Iran-backed factions from launching attacks against Israel.