The United States, Britain and France on Wednesday asked that a Russian request to send light arms to the Central African Republic be put on hold as they seek more information on the shipments, diplomats said. Russia has asked the UN Security Council for an exemption to an arms embargo …
Read More »Iraqi army takes control of border crossing from KRG forces
Control of the Ibrahim Khalil border gate between Turkey and northern Iraq has been handed over to Baghdad, Turkey’s prime minister announced on Tuesday. Speaking at the ruling Justice and Development (AK) Party’s parliamentary group meeting, Prime Minister Binali Yildirim said Turkish officials will remain in control of the Habur …
Read More »Turkish, US, Iraqi discuss security challenges
Senior Turkish, Iraqi and US military officials met in Ankara on Thursday to discuss regional developments and security challenges. Turkish Chief of General Staff Gen. Hulusi Akar, his Iraqi counterpart Othman Al-Ghanimi, Commander of US European Command (EUCOM) Curtis Scaparrotti and Commander of US Central Command (CENTCOM) Joseph Votel attended …
Read More »Africa, Europe discuss Sahel anti-terror force
France’s Emmanuel Macron on Wednesday hosted African and European leaders to drum up support and contributions for a new counter-terrorism force in the terror-plagued Sahel. Two years in the planning, the force brings together troops from Burkina Faso, Chad, Mali, Mauritania and Niger in a desert region the size of …
Read More »US condemns deadly Ethiopia clashes
The United States on Wednesday said it was “troubled and saddened” by clashes in Ethiopia that local reports said has left at least 18 people dead. The violence was reported to be most intense in the eastern town of Chelenko, near the volatile border between the Somali and Oromia regions, …
Read More »S Arabia, UAE pledge $130m for Sahel anti-terror force
Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates put forward $130m on Wednesday towards fighting jihadists in West Africa’s Sahel region, as France’s Emmanuel Macron hosted leaders to an effort to boost a fledgling five-nation military force. The force brings together troops from Burkina Faso, Chad, Mali, Mauritania and Niger – …
Read More »Nigeria approves $1bn to support fight against Boko Haram
A Nigerian governor says 36 state leaders have approved the transfer of $1bn to the federal government to fight the deadly Boko Haram insurgency. Edo State Governor Godwin Obaseki said on Thursday the money from the Excess Crude Account will be spent on the purchase of security equipment, procurement of …
Read More »Iraq holds military parade over victory against IS
Iraq’s military Sunday paraded in Baghdad Green Zone to celebrate the full liberation of Iraqi lands from the Islamic State (IS) group. The parade was held in the morning at the Celebrations Square in the heavily fortified Green Zone, which houses the main government offices and foreign embassies, and was …
Read More »France to keep working with Iraq on security challenges
After Iraq’s announcement of victory over so-called Islamic State (IS), France is continuing to work with Baghdad to help it with security challenges, but also to achieve national reconciliation and reconstruction, the French Foreign Ministry said Monday.
Read More »Turkish, US, Iraqi military officials to discuss security issues in Akara
Ankara would host on Thursday a trilateral meeting for top Turkish, Iraqi and US military officials, the Turkish General Staff said Monday. The meeting would be attended by Chief of Turkish General Staff Gen. Hulusi Akar, Iraqi counterpart Gen. Othman Al-Ghanimi, Commander of the US European Command Curtis Scaparrotti and …
Read More »