UAE Strongly Condemns Attack on Dohuk in Iraq

A member of security forces walks by at an Iraqi mountain tourist spot which was hit with artillery bombardment in the Zakho district village of Parakh in the north of Iraq's autonomous Kurdish region on July 22, 2022. (AFP)
A member of security forces walks by at an Iraqi mountain tourist spot which was hit with artillery bombardment in the Zakho district village of Parakh in the north of Iraq's autonomous Kurdish region on July 22, 2022. (AFP)
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UAE Strongly Condemns Attack on Dohuk in Iraq

A member of security forces walks by at an Iraqi mountain tourist spot which was hit with artillery bombardment in the Zakho district village of Parakh in the north of Iraq's autonomous Kurdish region on July 22, 2022. (AFP)
A member of security forces walks by at an Iraqi mountain tourist spot which was hit with artillery bombardment in the Zakho district village of Parakh in the north of Iraq's autonomous Kurdish region on July 22, 2022. (AFP)

The United Arab Emirates strongly condemned the attack that targeted a tourist area in the Dohuk province in the Iraqi Kurdistan Region.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation stressed the UAE’s strong condemnation of the attack and its permanent rejection of all destabilizing forms of violence.

It expressed the UAE's solidarity with all measures taken by Iraq to protect its sovereignty, security and stability, underling its keenness to ensure the security and stability of Iraq.

The Ministry also expressed its sincere condolences and sympathy to the government and people of Iraq and to the families of the victims of this heinous crime, and wished a speedy recovery for all the injured.

A Turkish strike on a mountain resort in Dohuk killed nine people and wounded 29 on Wednesday.

Iraq summoned Ankara's ambassador to Baghdad over the attack and its state agency said the government will call back its charge d'affaires in Ankara.

Turkey regularly carries out air strikes in northern Iraq and has sent commandos to support its offensives as part of a long-running campaign in Iraq and Syria against militants of the Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK) and the Syrian Kurdish YPG. Ankara regards both as terrorist groups.

Dozens of Iraqis gathered on Wednesday outside the Turkish embassy in Baghdad to protest the attack. The top United Nations envoy to Iraq also condemned it and called for an investigation.

Hundreds of angry Iraqis took to the streets late Thursday to decry the attack.



Saudi Arabia to Host First Meeting of Arab Cybersecurity Ministers Council

The flag of Saudi Arabia. Asharq Al-Awsat
The flag of Saudi Arabia. Asharq Al-Awsat
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Saudi Arabia to Host First Meeting of Arab Cybersecurity Ministers Council

The flag of Saudi Arabia. Asharq Al-Awsat
The flag of Saudi Arabia. Asharq Al-Awsat

Saudi Arabia, represented by the National Cybersecurity Authority, is set to host on Monday the inaugural meeting of the Arab Cybersecurity Ministers Council.

The meeting will be attended by ministers and officials responsible for cybersecurity in Arab League member states, alongside the organization’s Secretary General, Ahmed Aboul Gheit.

The agenda includes discussions on key topics of mutual interest, such as drafting the Arab cybersecurity strategy, organizing joint cybersecurity exercises, and reviewing working papers submitted by Arab League member states. These initiatives aim to foster enhanced cooperation in cybersecurity across the Arab region.

The Arab Cybersecurity Ministers Council, established following a proposal by Saudi Arabia and endorsed by all Arab countries, is tasked with formulating general policies, strategies, and priorities to advance joint Arab efforts in cybersecurity.

Its objectives include enhancing collaboration, coordinating efforts among Arab states on cybersecurity issues, sharing knowledge and expertise, and safeguarding member states' interests in international cybersecurity organizations. The council also seeks to develop a unified Arab stance on cybersecurity matters in international forums and contribute to creating a secure and trustworthy Arab cyberspace that promotes growth and prosperity for all member states.