The US Central Command announced the implementation of an air strike in Syria that resulted in the killing of Abu Abdul Rahman Al-Makki, a prominent leader in the "Guardians of Religion" group linked to Al-Qaeda. In a statement published by the US Central Command on the "X" platform, it explained that the air strike targeted Al-Makki, who holds a leadership position in the "Guardians of Religion" organization. The statement confirmed that Al-Makki was "a member of the Guardians of Religion Shura Council, and a senior leader responsible for supervising terrorist operations launched from Syria." The commander of the US Central Command, General Michael Eric Kurilla, said: "The operation comes within the framework of ongoing efforts to combat terrorism and prevent Al-Qaeda from carrying out new operations." It is noteworthy that Abu Abdul Rahman Al-Makki was present in the city of Idlib, which is currently occupied by Turkish forces and opposition factions. Source: National Iraqi News Agency
If she wins the presidency .. Harris pledges to reach a ceasefire in Gaza
Kamala Harris, Democratic candidate for the US presidential elections, pledged to reach a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip. Harris said that if she becomes President of the United States, she will stand by Ukraine but will never "court" dictators "unlike" her Republican opponent Donald Trump. Speaking about the war in Gaza, the US Vice President stressed to her supporters at the Democratic Party conference that "now is the time to achieve an agreement on the hostages and a ceasefire agreement." Harris said that she is working with President Joe Biden "to end this war so that Israel is safe, the hostages are released, the suffering in Gaza ends, and the Palestinian people can exercise their right to dignity, security, freedom and self-determination." Source: National Iraqi News Agency
Rapid Response Division arrests wanted person in drug case in Anbar
The Rapid Response Division forces arrested a wanted person in a drug case in Anbar. The Division stated in a statement: "The forces of the Fifth Brigade affiliated with the Rapid Response Division Command in the Ministry of Interior, arrested a wanted person for the judiciary in accordance with the provisions of Article 28 of the Drugs Law in the city of Ramadi in Anbar Governorate." It added: "The operation was carried out in cooperation with the Directorate of Combating Narcotics and Psychotropic Substances in Anbar, and in coordination with the Rapid Response Intelligence Department, and the wanted person was duly handed over to the requesting party." Source: National Iraqi News Agency
/12 / Palestinians martyred and 15 others injured in Zionist shelling in Gaza
At least 12 people, including two children and a woman, were martyred in shelling launched by Zionist forces on the cities of Khan Yunis and Deir al-Balah in the Gaza Strip, and 15 others were injured, according to the Palestinian News Agency. Health sources reported on Saturday morning that 9 Palestinians, including two children and a woman, were martyred, and at least 15 others were injured as a result of the occupation forces shelling a house in Al-Madrasa Street in Al-Amal neighborhood, west of Khan Yunis, while others were injured as a result of artillery shelling in the vicinity of Al-Salam Street in Jouret Al-Lut, and the vicinity of the Al-Tahlia area, south and east of the city, and 3 citizens were injured as a result of a Zionist drone targeting a school sheltering displaced persons north of Al-Nuseirat camp. Civil Defense sources also said that concentrated Zionist shelling led to the destruction of residential buildings in the Kuwaiti roundabout area, the Aliyin square, and the university colleg e south of Gaza City. Media also said that 3 Palestinians were killed and others were injured on Saturday morning in a shelling that targeted a residential apartment in the Ain Jalut towers in the Nuseirat camp in central Gaza. Source: National Iraqi News Agency
PM: there is a national campaign that the government will launch after the Arbaeen visit to support the Iraqi national team
Prime Minister, Mohammed Shia Al-Sudani confirmed that there is a national campaign that the government will launch after the Arbaeen visit to support the Iraqi national team. A statement from his media office said that Prime Minister Mohammed Shia Al-Sudani received today, Saturday, the delegation of the national football team before leaving the country to enter a training camp to play the first matches of the final qualifiers for the World Cup, which will be held at Basra Stadium on the fifth of next September, in the presence of the President of the Iraqi Football Association Adnan Darjal, and the Spanish coach Jesus Casas. According to the statement, Al-Sudani welcomed the national team players and the coaching staff, indicating that he had hoped to meet the rest of the players whose professional circumstances with their foreign clubs prevented them from attending, He stressed that all the people have hope and ambition for the success of the national team in these qualifiers, as Iraq deserves to be pre sent in the World Cup for what it possesses today of capabilities, talents and competencies that participate in European football leagues, in addition to what we have of a distinguished and competent coaching staff to which the government has provided all forms of required support. The Prime Minister stressed that the national team will play the final qualifiers in Iraq after many years since its last match on its home ground, which is a strength factor that will help us overcome the qualifiers, and that our fans are waiting for you with what is known about them of patriotism and support for the team in all circumstances. Al-Sudani pointed out the importance of this participation, which is a national mission for Iraq, and is an indicator of recovery that confirms the country's progress in the right direction for development and stability, stressing that the national team's participation and presence in the largest international football event confirms stability and the state's possession of institutions tha t plan in the sports aspect, given the pivotal role that sports play today in politics, economics, and others. Source: National Iraqi News Agency
Hezbollah missiles hit an Israeli air base
The Israeli army announced that two Hezbollah missiles hit the base of the Israeli Air Force's air surveillance unit, near Mount Meron, on Friday morning, after sirens went off in the area. According to the Israeli newspaper, the Jerusalem Post, the alarms were activated in the Upper Galilee and Meron regions yesterday, Friday. Lebanese media later reported a direct hit on the base, which Hezbollah later claimed responsibility for. Casas: I am happy to renew my coaching contract with the Iraqi national team Spanish coach Jesus Casas expressed his happiness about renewing his contract with the Iraqi Football Association. He said: I am very happy to extend my contract with the Iraqi national team until the first month of 2027. He added: I, the staff and our families feel very grateful for the confidence of the Iraqi Football Association, the dedication of the players and the support of all the Iraqi people. Explaining: We have a very big and difficult challenge ahead of us, and we hope that we can achieve the dream of an entire country. Casas expressed his sincere thanks and gratitude for the continued support of Prime Minister Mohammed Shia Al-Sudani, which motivates us to achieve the best results, as well as the great support from the President of the Iraqi Football Association Adnan Darjal for the Iraqi national team, and his tireless efforts to provide all the elements of success in the upcoming national team journey. Source: National Iraqi News Agency
Russian Defense Ministry: 7 Ukrainian drones destroyed over Russian territory overnight
The Russian Defense Ministry announced this morning, Saturday, that its forces destroyed 7 Ukrainian drones over the Belgorod, Bryansk and Voronezh regions during the past night. The Russian Defense Ministry explained in a brief statement that the air defenses on duty shot down 5 enemy drones in Voronezh territory, and one drone in each of Belgorod and Bryansk. Voronezh Governor Alexander Gusev reported via "Telegram" that a fire broke out as a result of the fall of the wreckage of a drone, which led to "explosion of explosive devices." He stated that two people were injured in the incident, as a woman was transferred to the hospital in serious condition, while another was slightly injured and refused to be admitted to the hospital. The governor indicated that a total of about 200 people were evacuated from the area surrounding the explosion site. Source: National Iraqi News Agency
Biden discusses with Sisi and Tamim the latest developments in mediation efforts in Gaza by phone
US President Joe Biden discussed last night in two phone calls with his Egyptian counterpart Abdel Fattah El-Sisi and the Emir of Qatar Tamim bin Hamad, the latest developments in the joint mediation efforts to end the war on the Gaza Strip. The Spokesman for the Egyptian presidency, Ahmed Fahmy, stated in a statement via Facebook that Biden's call with President Sisi "came within the framework of the intensive mediation efforts made by the two countries to stop the ceasefire in Gaza and exchange detainees." He explained that the two presidents reviewed during the call the latest developments in the negotiation round currently hosted by Cairo, noting that they "stressed the importance of the commitment of the concerned parties to overcome obstacles and show flexibility to complete the agreement." For his part, the Egyptian president stressed that "reaching an immediate ceasefire agreement is of utmost importance at this critical time, whether to put an end to the catastrophic humanitarian suffering in the Strip, or to end the escalation and spare the region the woes of expanding the scope of the conflict, with its serious repercussions on all the peoples of the region." In Doha, the Qatari Emiri Diwan said in a statement that Biden's call with Emir Tamim addressed "developments in Gaza and the occupied Palestinian territories, and joint mediation efforts to end the war on the Strip." On August 15 and 16, the Qatari capital, Doha, hosted a round of talks on a ceasefire in Gaza and a prisoner exchange, at the conclusion of which the mediators announced that Washington had submitted a new agreement proposal to narrow the gaps between Israel and Hamas. Meanwhile, an Israeli security delegation arrived in Cairo last Thursday to participate in the ceasefire talks in Gaza, with negotiations expected to resume today, Saturday, or tomorrow, Sunday. The Israeli Broadcasting Authority said yesterday, Friday, that "the meetings that took place on Thursday between the Egyptian and Israeli delegations did not result in any progress," without mentioning further details. Source: National Iraqi News Agency
A force from the Popular Mobilization and the Army carries out a large-scale security operation in Diyala
A joint security force from the Popular Mobilization and the Army carried out a large-scale security operation in Diyala this morning, Saturday. A statement by the Popular Mobilization Authority stated: "A joint force from the Diyala Operations Command, represented by the command divisions, the Commando Regiment, the 4th and 23rd Brigades, the Special Mukhtar Force in the Chief of Staff of the Popular Mobilization, and the Iraqi Army, carried out a large-scale security operation in the province." The statement added: "The operation included combing and searching the eastern and western regions of Al-Adhaim district, with the aim of eliminating ISIS terrorist elements, searching for wanted persons, and enhancing security and stability in the province. Source: National Iraqi News Agency
The Pentagon reveals details of the new US aid package to Ukraine
The Pentagon reported that the new US aid package to Ukraine, worth $ 125 million, will include Javelin anti-tank groups, artillery shells, and rockets for HIMARS launchers. According to the US Department of Defense, the new batch of aid included medical equipment (unknown), Javelin and AT-4 groups, 155 and 150 mm artillery shells, and rocket shells for HIMARS launchers. In addition, the United States will deliver to Ukraine equipment and ammunition dedicated to combating drones and high-mobility ambulances (HMMWV). Source: National Iraqi News Agency