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Iraq's President Calls for Vigilance Against Terrorism

A boat sails as the sun sets over Shatt al-Arab waterway, Basra, Iraq, Monday, May 9, 2022. (AP)
A boat sails as the sun sets over Shatt al-Arab waterway, Basra, Iraq, Monday, May 9, 2022. (AP)
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Iraq's President Calls for Vigilance Against Terrorism

A boat sails as the sun sets over Shatt al-Arab waterway, Basra, Iraq, Monday, May 9, 2022. (AP)
A boat sails as the sun sets over Shatt al-Arab waterway, Basra, Iraq, Monday, May 9, 2022. (AP)

Iraqi President Barham Salih discussed with Defense Minister Juma Inad and Minister of Water Resources Mahdi Rashid al-Hamdani the two most significant challenges facing the country: terrorism and water shortages.

Iraq faces terrorism linked to ISIS remnants almost five years after the government announced the military defeat of the extremist organization, which took control of four governorates in 2014.

Iraqi security forces have been involved in a war against the remnants, particularly in their strongholds of Salaheddin, Kirkuk, Diyala and al-Anbar, and the deserts extending between the Badia to the Iraqi-Syrian border.

Salih discussed with Inad the security situation in the country, focusing on the need to support the efforts of the armed forces to fight ISIS cells.

The minister briefed the president on the current military operations on the front lines against ISIS remnants that are trying to threaten peace, security, and stability in some parts of Iraq.

Salih stressed: "We must be vigilant against the terrorism," emphasizing that any flaws in the security system, which could strengthen these cells to threaten Iraqi citizens and safety and stability, must be addressed.

The president commended the efforts of the security forces in dismantling the terrorist cells and arresting prominent terrorists.

He later discussed with the minister of water resources efforts to tackle the challenges presented by drought, desertification and climate change.

Water should be a national priority for Iraq as it is an anchor for the country's national security, stressed Salih.

The meeting also addressed regulating the water quotas on the principles of good neighborliness, taking into account mutual interests, which is a crucial matter to Iraq and its neighbors.

The president hailed the efforts made by the government and the Ministry of Water Resources in this aspect.

Salih asserted that it is vital to protect bodies of water and maintain dams, adding: "We have to develop strategic plans set by the government institutions in coordination with international experts to tackle the challenges presented by drought, desertification and climate change."

The minister, in turn, briefed the president on the water situation and the plans being prepared to meet the challenges caused by drought.

The meeting also addressed the current negotiations between Iraq and neighboring states on the water quotas.

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Arab World

Lebanese Return to Beirut’s Southern Suburbs with Bags Packed for Quick Exit

A resident films his home in a building hit by airstrikes in Beirut’s southern suburbs (AP)
A resident films his home in a building hit by airstrikes in Beirut’s southern suburbs (AP)
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Lebanese Return to Beirut’s Southern Suburbs with Bags Packed for Quick Exit

A resident films his home in a building hit by airstrikes in Beirut’s southern suburbs (AP)
A resident films his home in a building hit by airstrikes in Beirut’s southern suburbs (AP)

Nour Hammoud and her family live in constant fear as Israel issues warnings to residents of Beirut’s southern suburbs, after deciding to return to their home in Ghobeiry, an area frequently hit by Israeli airstrikes.

“We’d rather die in our home than suffer humiliation outside of it,” says the young woman in her twenties.

She describes the difficult decision faced by her family and others who, despite the risks, have returned to their homes.

Many, including her family, rely on the alerts from Israeli army spokesman Avichay Adraee on X (formerly Twitter), where targeted buildings are announced shortly before they are attacked. Families often leave after each warning, only to return when it is safe.

For some, the return is driven by financial hardship, as they can’t afford rent or find safer places.

For the Hammouds, however, the decision was prompted by increasing harassment, especially toward her younger brothers, in the area they had fled to in Mount Lebanon.

“Security checks were becoming more intense, with authorities scrutinizing my brothers’ identities whenever they left or entered,” she explained.

This increased pressure follows attacks on Hezbollah-linked individuals in areas outside the southern suburbs, previously considered safe. This has caused fear and hostility in host communities, impacting displaced families.

After a month in a rented house in Mount Lebanon, the Hammoud family returned to the southern suburb, which has been calm in recent days despite being bombed five days earlier.

Speaking by phone amid the sound of Israeli drones overhead, Hammoud said: “We came back ten days ago, cleaned our house, bought what we could from the market to avoid going out too much, and packed small bags with essentials. We wait for the warnings to leave again.”

The beach has become their refuge.

“After each warning, we go to the beach, wait for the bombing to stop, then return to our home, hoping it’s still standing,” she added.

Asked about living in constant fear in a neighborhood almost destroyed by repeated strikes, Hammoud replied: “We’re not afraid. It’s better to die in our homes than to live in shame. Whatever is meant for us will happen... We either win, which we believe in, or we become martyrs.”

As the war continues, estimates from Mohammad Shamseddine at Information International suggest that 240 buildings have been destroyed in the southern suburbs, with 360 more partially damaged, affecting around 12,000 housing units in neighborhoods like Haret Hreik, Lailaki, Jamous, and Ghobeiry.

While the Hammoud family can afford rent, many others are unable to find safe places to stay.

Um Mohammad, another displaced woman, says she and her family were asked to leave a school in Beirut where they had taken refuge. With schools reopening, they were told to vacate by Thursday.

Although the private school director in Ain el-Remmaneh who hosted them did all he could to help, Um Mohammad told Asharq Al-Awsat: “The decision has been made, and we have to leave.”

“Our problem is that we have nowhere else to go. If the situation doesn’t improve, my sick husband, son, and I will return to Chiyah in the southern suburbs, just like many other families,” she added.