Sunday, 2 May, 2021 - 05:00
Peshmerga forces in the Alton Kubre region after the ISIS attacks. (Rudaw) Baghdad, Erbil – Asharq Al-Awsat
Eighteen Iraqis, the majority military personnel, were killed overnight Friday to Saturday in separate extremist attacks mainly in the greater Baghdad area, security sources told AFP.
There was no immediate claim of responsibility for the attacks, but they are in line with the modus operandi of the ISIS group, which still has sleeper cells in Iraq despite its territorial defeat in 2017.
One attack targeted troops in Tarmiya, an agricultural suburb 20 kilometers (12 miles) north of the Iraqi capital. ISIS fighters attacked an Iraqi army convoy at night and killed two officers and two soldiers, a security official said, on condition of anonymity.
Friday, 30 April, 2021 - 08:00
Kurdistan Region President Nechirvan Barzani meets with Iraq s President Barham Salih in Erbil. (Rudaw) Baghdad - Asharq Al-Awsat
Iraqi President Barham Salih started an official visit to Erbil to discuss outstanding issues and seek to unify the Kurdish discourse.
Some of these issues include the constitution, political alliances and positions on neighboring countries, such as Iran and Turkey.
According to an informed political source, Salih met with Kurdistan Region President Nechirvan Barzani, Prime Minister Masrour Barzani and Parliament Speaker Rewaz Faiq.
Parties tackled the latest political developments and means of resolving controversial issues between Baghdad and Erbil, the source noted.
Foreign Minister holds week-long regional tour Tehran Times
TEHRAN Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif continued his regional tour by visiting Oman on Wednesday, April 28 and Kuwait on April 29.
Zarif went to Qatar and met with Qatar s Emir, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, and his Qatari counterpart, Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani.
During his meetings with the Qatari officials, Zarif discussed the approaches to the Hormuz Peace Endeavor (HOPE) and stressed that Neighbors are Iran s priority.
Excellent consultations with my brothers H.H. Emir of Qatar @TamimBinHamad & DPM/FM @MBA AlThani on expansion of constructive bilateral relations & enhanced coordination on regional & global issues.#HOPE initiative is Iran s approach to the region.
Zarif in Oman for talks on bilateral ties, regional issues after Qatar, Iraq visits Wednesday, 28 April 2021 12:22 PM
[ Last Update: Wednesday, 28 April 2021 6:15 PM ] Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif (C) arrives in Muscat on April 28, 2021 for talks with the country s officials. (Via IRNA)
Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif has arrived in Oman, after his visits to Qatar and Iraq, to hold talks with the country’s officials.
Zarif arrived in Muscat on Wednesday afternoon and was welcomed by his Omani counterpart, Sayyid Badr bin Hamad bin Hamood Al Busaidi, and Iranian Ambassador Ali Najafi.
The top Iranian diplomat sat down with his Omani counterpart to disuss bilateral and regional issues.