Security
Baghdad hosted a high-level security meeting on Sunday involving the federal government and the Kurdistan Region. The session affirmed the importance of boosting joint cooperation, particularly on the extradition of wanted individuals and deepening intelligence work. This gathering, part of efforts to unify actions and maintain stability, brought together representatives from federal and regional forces to discuss field coordination and military collaboration mechanisms. The meeting was chaired by Lieutenant General Abdul Amir al-Shammari, Director of the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces' Office. Senior security officials from Baghdad and Erbil attended, including the head of the Counter-Terrorism Service, the head of the Border Ports Authority, the Undersecretary of Intelligence at the Ministry of Interior, the two undersecretaries for the National Security and Intelligence Services, and the Assistant Chief of Staff of the Army for Operations. Also present were the Chief of Staff of the Peshmerga Forces and a delegation of regional security leaders. Discussions featured a detailed briefing on areas of common security interest and examined the state of border crossings and the operations of border units to ensure control and prevent smuggling and infiltration. The meeting also explored enhancing cooperation in combating narcotics, dismantling their networks, and developing operational mechanisms within joint coordination centers for rapid intelligence exchange. Al-Shammari stressed the necessity of prioritizing international border security, conducting joint training and exercises, extraditing wanted individuals to the judiciary, and expanding and deepening intelligence cooperation. The Peshmerga Chief of Staff offered observations regarding the operational implementation of field plans. The meeting concluded with a set of recommendations aimed at strengthening security integration and unifying efforts for preserving stability.
