AL-ASAD AIR BASE, Iraq: An Iraqi general said Sunday that security has been beefed up around the Ain Al-Asad air base, a sprawling complex in the western Anbar desert that hosts US forces, following a series of attacks.
Maj. Gen. Raad Mahmoud told The Associated Press that investigations were still underway to determine who was behind the unclaimed attacks on bases across Iraq, including one earlier this month in which five rockets landed inside Ain Al-Asad.
A US defense contractor was killed Friday in a rocket attack at a different Iraqi military compound near Kirkuk where US service members are based. Several American and Iraqi troops were also wounded.
US officials said the attack involved as many as 30 rockets. US officials have for the most part blamed Iran-backed fighters for these attacks.
Iraq has been roiled since Oct. 1 by anti-government protests that have left more than 450 people dead. The vast majority of those who died were demonstrators killed by security forces firing tear gas and live ammunition. The mass uprisings prompted the resignation of former Prime Minister Adel Abdul-Mahdi late last month.
Meanwhile, the Iraqi Joint Operations Command announced Sunday the start of a military operation to pursue the remnants of the Daesh group in five different areas in the country.
The eighth phase of the operation, code named “Will of Victory,” would cover areas in Mosul, Kirkuk, Diyala, Salahaddin, and Al-Jazeera provinces.
The paramilitary Popular Mobilization Forces and local tribal militias are also participating in the operations, with air cover from the Iraqi air force and the Coalition air force, according to a statement issued Sunday.
Iraq declared victory over Daesh two years ago, but they still carry out sporadic attacks in parts of the country.
Iraq beefs up security around Ain Al-Asad base hosting US forces
https://arab.news/4p6kq
Iraq beefs up security around Ain Al-Asad base hosting US forces
- Investigations still underway to determine who was behind the unclaimed attacks on bases across Iraq
- Iraq declared victory over Daesh two years ago, but they still carry out sporadic attacks in parts of the country
UN could take Israel to top court over laws targeting its aid agency for Palestinians and seizure of compound
- UN chief Antonio Guterres expresses ‘grave concerns’ over recent Israeli ban on provision of basic utilities and services to UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees
- Such measures violate Israel’s obligations under international law and the UN Charter, he says, warning Israel could be referred to International Court of Justice
NEW YORK: The UN has warned it is considering referring Israel to the International Court of Justice over recent Israeli legislation targeting the UN’s relief agency for Palestinians, and the seizure of one of its compounds in occupied East Jerusalem.
In a letter to Israeli authorities, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres expressed “grave concerns” over amendments passed by the Israeli parliament last month banning the provision of basic utilities and essential services, such as electricity, water, telecommunications and banking, to the UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees.
The amendments, adopted by the Knesset on Dec. 29, also allow Israeli authorities to take possession of land and facilities used by UNRWA.
Guterres said these measures violate Israel’s obligations under international law and the UN Charter.
“The United Nations cannot remain indifferent to these actions,” he wrote, warning that unless Israel reverses course, the country could be referred to the International Court of Justice under the 1946 Convention on the Privileges and Immunities of the UN.
Guterres said UNRWA’s Sheikh Jarrah compound, in the Maalot Dafna neighborhood of occupied East Jerusalem, is UN property and therefore “inviolable” under international law.
On Dec. 8, Israeli authorities entered the compound without UN consent, seized UNRWA assets including computer equipment, medical storage units and furniture, and removed the UN flag, replacing it with an Israeli flag.
“These actions are violations of the inviolability of United Nations premises,” Guterres said. Prior Israeli demands to evacuate the compound, requests for municipal tax payments and attempts to demolish UN property were also unlawful, he added.
He rejected claims that UNRWA owed municipal taxes, pointing out that the UN and its agencies are exempt from such taxes under international law.
Guterres stressed that UNRWA, which was established by the General Assembly, is an integral part of the UN, and its legal status and protections “remain unchanged” regardless of allegations made against it.
“No allegation against the United Nations would justify these actions,” he wrote, citing an advisory opinion issued by the International Court of Justice in October last year that said member states must resolve disputes with the UN through established legal mechanisms and cannot unilaterally disregard their obligations.
Guterres said Israel must immediately repeal its laws targeting UNRWA, restore seized premises and assets, and ensure the protection of UN personnel, who are entitled to full diplomatic privileges and immunities.
Israel described the letter as “harsh.” Its ambassador to the UN, Danny Danon, said authorities were “not fazed” by what he described as “threats” from the secretary-general.
“Instead of dealing with the undeniable involvement of UNRWA personnel in terrorism, the secretary-general chooses to threaten Israel,” Danon said.
“This is not defending international law, this is defending an organization marred by terrorism.”
Israel has repeatedly accused UNRWA staff of involvement with militant groups. The agency denies the allegations and said it investigates all credible claims.
