Day: May 19, 2024

Detachments of the federal intelligence and information agency responsible for combating terrorism in Salah al-Din Governorate arrested nine defendants wanted in accordance with Article Four of the Anti-Terrorism Law.

It said in a statement that the arrest operation was carried out according to accurate intelligence information and field follow-up carried out by the agency’s detachments in the governorate, and according to original judicial arrest warrants.

The Agency explained that when they were interrogated, they explicitly admitted their affiliation to the terrorist organization ISIS and their participation in many attacks on the Iraqi security forces, indicating that the accused were referred to the judicial authorities to receive their just punishment.

Source: National Iraqi News Agency

The Russian Ministry of Defense announced, today, Sunday, that Russian air defense systems shot down last night, 9 missiles and one drone over the Republic of Crimea, and three drones over Belgorod, and destroyed and intercepted 57 drones over the Krasnodar Territory.

The ministry explained in a statement: ‘During last night, attempts to carry out attacks using missiles and drones on targets in Russia were thwarted.

Source: National Iraqi News Agency

The Chief of Staff of the Army, Lieutenant General Abdul Amir Rashid Yarallah, directed the commanders and officers to exercise caution and pursue terrorist gangs.

A statement by the Ministry of Defense stated that Yarallah visited the sector of the 21st Infantry Division within Salah al-Din Operations Command, accompanied by the Operations Command Assistant, the Commander of the Ground Forces, and the Assistant Director of Military Intelligence.

According to the statement, the first stop was a visit to the 3rd Regiment of the 95th Infantry Brigade in the 21st Infantry Division, and upon his arrival, Yarallah inspected the line of repelling the heroes of the Tharthar Dam and the rest of the points in the Responsibility Sector, to see the level of combat readiness in terms of thermal cameras, fortifications, and the administrative aspects of the fighters.

The second stop, according to the statement, was a visit to the 2nd Regiment of the 91st Infantry Brigade, where the Army Chief of Staff conducted a tour
of the area of responsibility, directing the commanders and officers to exercise caution, intensify the intelligence effort, and carry out qualitative and proactive operations targeting the incubators of terrorism, as well as paying attention to the fighters by providing protection requirements on the level of supplies and equipment and fortifying points, stressing the importance of providing other administrative aspects such as livelihoods, periodic vacations, and promotions.’

Source: National Iraqi News Agency

Newspapers issued today, Sunday, paid attention to the parliament session to elect its president and the visit of Prime Minister Muhammad Shiaa al-Sudani to the Gaza Bridge project.

Al-Zawraa newspaper, which is published by the Iraqi Journalists Syndicate, said that the House of Representatives failed to elect its president despite MP Salem Al-Issawi leading MP Mahmoud Al-Mashhadani by 21 votes.

The Media Department of the House of Representatives said in a statement, ‘The results of the second round of electing the Speaker of Parliament included MP, Salem Al-Issawi obtaining 158 votes, while MP, Mahmoud Al-Mashhadani obtained 137 votes, and Amer Abdul-Jabbar 3 votes, and the number of invalid papers was 13.’

The House of Representatives was unable to hold a third round to elect its president, and decided to adjourn its session until further notice.

In addition, a verbal altercation and fist fight broke out between MPs from the Taqaddum Party and colleagues from other blocs over the election of a Speaker
of Parliament.

MPs of Taqadum are demanding that the bylaws of the House of Representatives be amended, before voting begins, for fear that Salem Al-Issawi will win the third round, according to a parliamentary source.

Footage from inside the parliament showed disagreements and fist fights between council members.

A video clip showed: ‘Sharp disagreements between members of the House of Representatives developed into fistfights and complete chaos inside the parliament.’

The Acting Speaker of the House of Representatives, Mohsen Al-Mandalawi, had opened the Session No. (25), of the fifth electoral session, third legislative year, first legislative term, in the presence of (258) MPs.

The House of Representatives voted to extend its legislative term for 30 days.

A statement by the Media Department of the House of Representatives stated, ‘In confirmation of the decision taken by the Presidency of the House of Representatives, the House of Representatives voted to extend its legislative term for a period of
30 days.’

It added, “The Council also completed the report and discussion of the draft law on official holidays, as well as the report and discussion of the proposed law for the second amendment to the Independent High Electoral Commission Law No. (31) of 2019.”

Al-Zaman newspaper, for its part, said that the House of Representatives resorted to holding a decisive round between Salem Al-Issawi, who obtained 158 parliamentary votes in the counting and sorting process for electing the new Speaker of Parliament, and Mahmoud Al-Mashhadani, who obtained 137 votes after neither of them was able to obtain majority during the session in which the competition intensified after the withdrawal of candidate Talal Al-Zubaie and the announcement of his support for the nomination of Al-Mashhadani, which was presented by a bloc that presented him as the majority candidate to head the position that remained vacant for more than six months after the membership of Muhammad Al-Halbousi was terminated by a decision of the Feder
al Supreme Court.

The results of the counting and sorting showed (Al-Issawi received 158 votes and Al-Mashhadani 137, while MP Amer Abdul-Jabbar got only three votes),

For his part, Acting Speaker of Parliament Mohsen Al-Mandalawi said that (the number of representatives voting in the second round to elect the Speaker of Parliament reached 311 ballot papers out of 329 MPs).

He added that (Parliament will either continue to hold its session or be postponed to another date).

Parliament voted to extend its legislative term for 30 days.

Yesterday’s statement said: ‘The Council also completed the report and discussion of the draft law on official holidays, as well as the proposed law on the second amendment to the law of the Independent High Electoral Commission.’

A parliamentary source had reported that the blocs of Taqadum, Al-Sadiqoun, Badr, State of Law, the PUK, and the representatives of Kirkuk and Babylion Governorates, headed by Rayan Al-Kildani, had voted for Al-Mashhadani as Speaker of Parliament.

T
he source said, ‘The session was preceded by holding individual meetings for members of the House of Representatives, away from the calculations of the heads of the political blocs, to choose a Speaker of the House from among the non-candidates.’

Al-Azm Alliance, headed by MP Muthanna Al-Samarrai, confirmed that the political forces held intensive meetings and contacts before the start of the session to elect the new Speaker of Parliament.

Coalition spokesman Azzam Al-Hamdani said in a statement yesterday, ‘The forces held intensive meetings and contacts before holding the session to elect the Speaker of the House of Representatives, and this is normal, as each party wants to gain votes for its candidates for this position, especially after the decline of the competition between Al-Issawi and Al-Mashhadani.’

He added, ‘All indications indicate that the parliamentary majority will vote in favor of Al-Issawi, but we have fears that some MPs will create problems and disrupt the election session through fighti
ng between some MPs, to prevent Al-Issawi from reaching the presidency of the House of Representatives,’ stressing that ‘there is parliamentary determination to elect the Speaker of Parliament,

He pointed out that ‘the Presidency of Parliament has taken strict and resolute measures against anyone who wants to create chaos inside the hall to thwart the election of the new president.’

Al-Sabah newspaper followed the Prime Minister’s visit to the Gaza Bridge project and said that the Prime Minister, Muhammad Shiaa Al-Sudani, yesterday, Saturday, conducted a field visit to the (Gaza Bridge) project, linking the two banks of the Tigris River, at Zaafaraniya area and Dora-Youssefiya highway, which is the first bridge built on the Tigris River in Baghdad since the 1990s, and is one of the most prominent projects of the first package to relieve traffic congestion south of Baghdad.

Al-Sudani was briefed, according to a statement by his media office, on the progress of the ongoing work on the components of the proje
ct, which is scheduled to be completed before mid-2025, appreciating the efforts made in implementing this vital project, which is considered one of the most important projects that regulate transportation movement between Baghdad and nearby governorates.

He stressed the removal of all encroachments in the course of the project to speed up its implementation, directing that it be dealt with in accordance with the law and that its owners who own bonds be compensated, in coordination with the judicial authorities to resolve the issue of violations.

The Prime Minister also directed the implementing company that the project include all necessary services, work with three shifts a day, as well as increase the number of engineers in the Resident Engineer Department, and adopt safety procedures at work, stressing laboratory tests for all entering materials. He also directed the Ministry of Construction and Housing and Baghdad Municipality to prepare all requirements for implementing the project.

Source: National
Iraqi News Agency

Amman: The Jordan Chamber of Industry (JCI ) and the Jordan River Foundation (JRF) have inked a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to cooperate in the development and implementation of vocational trainings to help create job opportunities for local communities.

According to a JRF statement on Sunday, the agreement was signed by the JCI Director General, Ishaq Arabiat, and JRF’s Programs and Training Division Director, Mohammad Hourani.

The MoU includes cooperation in career networking for JRF’s beneficiaries, as well as developing curricula for essential training courses to facilitate their integration into the job market.

This collaboration is part of the JRF’s community empowerment interventions to prepare young individuals for employment opportunities.

Through various training programs and activities like career networking, vocational training and Work-based Learning (WBL), the JRF is building partnerships from both the private and public sectors, aligning with the local market’s needs and its key secto
rs.

Source: Jordan News Agency

Baqa’a: Director General of the National Agricultural Research Centre (NARC), Nizar Haddad, and Director of the Agricultural Research Department at the Scientific Research Commission of the Iraqi Ministry of Higher Education, Hameed Odeh, discussed cooperation in agricultural fields related to plant and animal wealth, especially those related to textile palm cultivation, fish farming and protected agriculture

Haddad said that this visit comes within the framework of exchanging experiences and scientific ideas between the two countries in the agricultural fields, especially those related to facing climate change and increasing the efficiency of water use, pointing out that Iraq is one of the leading countries in the agricultural fields and has achieved self-sufficiency in a number of agricultural crops, especially wheat and barley.

For his part, Odeh lauded NARC’s efforts in developing scientific research and technology transfer through the geographical spread of research stations spread across the Jordanian
agricultural environments, in addition to NARC’s advanced role in employing innovation in the agricultural sector through the innovation and agricultural entrepreneurship incubator and laboratory services provided by the center to farmers and the agricultural sector.

Odeh also commended the role of the Agricultural Research and Consulting Association and the Iraqi General Construction Company Ghouta in coordinating and organizing cooperation.

For his part, Jordan Cooperative Corporation’s (JCC) Director Abdulfattah Shalabi, gave a briefing on the work of Jordanian agricultural cooperatives and their role in empowering agricultural communities and technology transfer, which took upon themselves to develop the agricultural sector, and the Agricultural Research and Consulting Association as an example of leading associations in the Kingdom.

Samir Salman, President of the Agricultural Research and Consultancy Association, explained that the association seeks to network with friendly and brotherly countries to
frame the research work and sit together to find solutions in the agricultural sector and empower those working in the field of scientific research.

For his part, the Executive Director of Ghouta General Contracting Company, Engineer Osama Thannoun, pointed to the importance of networking between the two countries in the field of transferring agricultural technologies, technology and exchange of experiences, expressing his readiness to provide a helping hand to all national institutions that are concerned with the transfer of modern technology.

The talks came on the sidelines of the training course in the field of protected agriculture technologies organized by the Cooperative Agricultural Research and Consulting Association and the Iraqi company Al-Ghouta General Construction Contracting Company to develop the skills of the staff of the Seed Technology Center within the allocations of the food security program of the local government of Nineveh Governorate.

Source: Jordan News Agency

Amman: The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates said it was following with great concern the news of the accident involving the helicopter carrying Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi, Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir Abdollahian and the President’s entourage.

The Ministry’s Spokesperson, Sufyan Qudah, stressed the Kingdom’s readiness to provide all forms of support and assistance, expressing its sympathy with the Islamic Republic of Iran and wishing the President and his entourage safety.

Source: Jordan News Agency

Amman: UNRWA Commissioner-General Philippe Lazzarini said that nearly half of the population of Rafah or 800,000 people, are on the road, having been forced to flee since the Israeli Forces started the military operation in the area on May 6.

“In response to evacuation orders demanding people to flee to so-called safe zones, people mainly went to the middle areas, and Khan Younis including to destroyed buildings,” Lazzarini added in a statement posted on his X account.??

He said, “Since the war in Gaza began, Palestinians have been forced to flee multiple times in search of safety that they have never found, including in UNRWA shelters.”

“When people move, they are exposed, without safe passage or protection. Every time, they are forced to leave behind the few belongings they have: mattresses, tents, cooking utensils, and basic supplies that they cannot carry or pay to transport.?Every time, they have to start from scratch all over again, the UNRWA chief noted. “The areas that people are fleeing to now do
not have safe water supplies or sanitation facilities.”

The UNRWA Commissioner-General said that the claim that people in Gaza can move to “safe” or “humanitarian” zones is false. “Gaza does not have any safe zones,” Lazzarini emphasized.

The situation is again being made far worse by the lack of aid and basic humanitarian supplies, Lazzarini warned, noting that the humanitarian community does not have any more supplies to give out, including food and other basic items.

Source: Jordan News Agency

Amman: The United Nations humanitarian chief, Martin Griffiths, said on Sunday that the clampdown on aid reaching Gaza is having “horrific” consequences, warning of a famine in the besieged Strip.

Griffiths said in an interview with AFP: “If fuel runs out, if aid doesn’t get to the people who need it, that famine that we’ve talked about for so long and that’s looming on the horizon, it’s not looming anymore. It will be there.”

Griffiths said about 50 aid trucks a day could reach the most affected areas in northern Gaza through the Erez crossing (Beit Hanoun Crossing), but fighting near the Rafah and Kerem Shalom (Karem Abu Salem) crossings in southern Gaza means that vital routes are “effectively closed.” He noted that aid arriving via land routes to the south and to Rafah and those displaced from it is almost non-existent.

Aid organizations contend that the Israeli invasion of Rafah, which began despite widespread international opposition and as mediators hoped for a breakthrough in stalled truce talks, h
as exacerbated an acute humanitarian crisis.

Source: Jordan News Agency

Amman: A helicopter carrying Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi made a “hard landing” in East Azerbaijan province, according to Iranian media reports on Sunday.

According to Iran’s Tasnim news agency, “some reports indicated that the helicopter carrying Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi had an accident in East Azerbaijan province.”

According to IRNA, 16 rescue teams have been sent to the area, but due to the lack of roads and unfavorable weather conditions, especially dense fog, the search and rescue operation is expected to take some time.

Source: Jordan News Agency