Australia has raised the terror threat level to "possible", citing the rise of "extremist ideologies" after a series of deadly attacks in the country. Mike Burgess, Director of the Australian Security Intelligence Organization (ASIO), said that "the security environment in Australia is deteriorating and becoming more volatile and unpredictable." He added that "more Australians are turning to extremism," noting that the country is facing "surges in political polarization." He continued that there is no evidence of the possibility of an "imminent attack," but according to "ASIO" the threats over the next 12 months are increasing. Burgess said: "Politically motivated violence is now added to espionage and foreign interference as one of our main security concerns." Australia has witnessed an increase in knife attacks in recent months. In April, 6 people were killed in a shopping mall in Sydney. Two days later, a bishop from an Assyrian church was stabbed. In May, a mentally ill person injured a person in a k nife attack. Source: National Iraqi News Agency
Federal Supreme Court rejects lawsuit regarding US troops remaining in Iraq
The Federal Supreme Court rejected a lawsuit regarding the continued presence of US forces in Iraq due to lack of specialization. Source: National Iraqi News Agency
Turkey calls on its citizens to leave Lebanon
The Turkish Foreign Ministry called on its citizens to leave Lebanon amid expectations of a rapid deterioration in the security situation there, amid anticipation of an escalation in mutual attacks between Iran and Hezbollah on one hand, and Israel on the other.
The Turkish Foreign Ministry asked in a statement last night Turkish citizens to avoid unnecessary travel to Lebanon, and those currently in Lebanon to leave "while civilian commercial flights are still operating."
The statement read: "Our citizens in Lebanon should exercise caution and not go to the governorates of Nabatieh, South Lebanon, Bekaa, and Baalbek-Hermel except in cases of necessity."
The Turkish Foreign Ministry also called on Turkish citizens to follow developments on the official websites and social media accounts of the ministry and the Turkish embassy in Beirut.
The call came amid expectations of an escalation in mutual attacks between Iran and Hezbollah on one hand and Israel on the other, after Tel Aviv assassinated the prominent leader of the Hezbollah, Fuad Shukr, last Tuesday, and Hamas and Iran accused it of assassinating the head of the movement's political bureau, Ismail Haniyeh, on Wednesday in Tehran.
Since October 8, Lebanese and Palestinian factions in Lebanon, most notably Hezbollah, have been exchanging daily shelling with the Israeli occupation army across the "Blue Line" separating the two sides, resulting in hundreds of deaths and injuries, most of them on the Lebanese side. The factions link the cessation of shelling to Israel ending a war it has been waging with American support on the Gaza Strip since October 7, which has left more than 130,000 Palestinian martyrs and wounded, most of them children and women, and more than 10,000 missing.
Source: National Iraqi News Agency
Turkish FM meets Arab League Secretary General in Cairo
Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan met in Cairo with Arab League Secretary-General Ahmed Aboul Gheit as part of his visit to Egypt.
Jamal Rushdi, the official spokesman for the Secretary-General, said that the meeting witnessed an in-depth discussion on the regional situation in light of the severe risks posed by the current Israeli escalation, and they also discussed ways to enhance relations between the Arab League and Turkey in the political, economic and other fields during the coming period.
The official spokesman said that the meeting witnessed an exchange of views on the latest developments in a number of important issues on the regional and international arenas, most notably the developments of the Palestinian issue in light of the ongoing Israeli aggression on the Gaza Strip, explaining that the Secretary-General stressed the need for the international community to provide protection for the Palestinian people, especially the residents of the Gaza Strip who are being subjected to an ongoing massacre by Israeli forces, stressing the need to achieve an immediate ceasefire, urgently deliver aid and launch a reliable path leading to the implementation of the two-state solution.
Aboul Gheit warned against the countries of the region being dragged into a spiral of escalation, and was keen to express his appreciation for the principled and decisive Turkish positions in supporting the Palestinian cause in international forums.
The two parties also discussed the latest developments in Syria, Libya and Sudan.
Source: National Iraqi News Agency
Turkish FM meets Arab League Secretary General in Cairo
Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan met in Cairo with Arab League Secretary-General Ahmed Aboul Gheit as part of his visit to Egypt.
Jamal Rushdi, the official spokesman for the Secretary-General, said that the meeting witnessed an in-depth discussion on the regional situation in light of the severe risks posed by the current Israeli escalation, and they also discussed ways to enhance relations between the Arab League and Turkey in the political, economic and other fields during the coming period.
The official spokesman said that the meeting witnessed an exchange of views on the latest developments in a number of important issues on the regional and international arenas, most notably the developments of the Palestinian issue in light of the ongoing Israeli aggression on the Gaza Strip, explaining that the Secretary-General stressed the need for the international community to provide protection for the Palestinian people, especially the residents of the Gaza Strip who are being subjected to an ongoing massacre by Israeli forces, stressing the need to achieve an immediate ceasefire, urgently deliver aid and launch a reliable path leading to the implementation of the two-state solution.
Aboul Gheit warned against the countries of the region being dragged into a spiral of escalation, and was keen to express his appreciation for the principled and decisive Turkish positions in supporting the Palestinian cause in international forums.
The two parties also discussed the latest developments in Syria, Libya and Sudan.
Source: National Iraqi News Agency
Biden meets with national security team ahead of expected Iranian attack on Israel
Fox News reported that US President Joe Biden will meet today, Monday, with the White House National Security Team ahead of an expected Iranian attack on Israel in response to the assassination of Ismail Haniyeh.
The American channel indicated that the meeting will take place in the "Operations Room", noting that this room is considered a complex for managing intelligence and is located on the ground floor of the White House building.
This meeting comes a day after the call between US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin and his Israeli counterpart Yoav Galant, in which the United States confirmed its support for Israel amid escalating tensions with Iran and threats of a wider regional war.
Source: National Iraqi News Agency
Al-Araji discusses with the head of Salah al-Din Council ways to sustain security and stability in the province
National Security Adviser Qasim Al-Araji received in his office the Chairman of Salah al-Din Provincial Council, Adel Al-Sumaidaie.
According to Al-Araji's tweet, they discussed ways to sustain security and stability in the province, support the security services and community cohesion, and support the government of Prime Minister Mohammed Shiaa Al-Sudani to achieve reform and provide services to citizens.
Source: National Iraqi News Agency
Al-Sudani sponsors the annual memorial ceremony for the victims of the Yazidis genocide
Under the patronage of Prime Minister Mohammed Shiaa al-Sudani, the annual memorial ceremony for the victims of the genocide of the Yazidis and other Iraqi components was held today.
Source: National Iraqi News Agency
Australia raises terror threat level
Australia has raised the terror threat level to "possible", citing the rise of "extremist ideologies" after a series of deadly attacks in the country.
Mike Burgess, Director of the Australian Security Intelligence Organization (ASIO), said that "the security environment in Australia is deteriorating and becoming more volatile and unpredictable."
He added that "more Australians are turning to extremism," noting that the country is facing "surges in political polarization."
He continued that there is no evidence of the possibility of an "imminent attack," but according to "ASIO" the threats over the next 12 months are increasing.
Burgess said: "Politically motivated violence is now added to espionage and foreign interference as one of our main security concerns."
Australia has witnessed an increase in knife attacks in recent months. In April, 6 people were killed in a shopping mall in Sydney. Two days later, a bishop from an Assyrian church was stabbed. In May, a mentally ill person injured a person in a knife attack.
Source: National Iraqi News Agency
Federal Supreme Court rejects lawsuit regarding US troops remaining in Iraq
The Federal Supreme Court rejected a lawsuit regarding the continued presence of US forces in Iraq due to lack of specialization.
Source: National Iraqi News Agency