Iraq does not pose a threat to any country, distant from any conflicts

INA - BAGHDAD

National Security Advisor Qasim Al-Araji confirmed on Tuesday, that the Iraqi government has approved the national strategy to combat violent extremism that leads to terrorism, to strengthen its steps in the field of societal peace, stressing that Iraq does not pose a threat to any country and distances itself from any conflict.

Al-Araji delivered a remote speech at the international meeting for the activities of the World Day for Combating Violent Extremism that Leads to Terrorism, which was held in New York,” according to a statement by the media office of the National Security Advisor, received by the Iraqi News Agency - INA.

He stressed that "the holding of the international meeting for the activities of the World Day to Combat Violent Extremism Leading to Terrorism represents the will of the international community and its insistence on continuing to combat violent extremism, hate speech, and terrorism, which pose a threat to societal peace and fraternal coexistence."

"Iraq adopted the project to establish the International Day for Combating Violent Extremism that Leads to Terrorism, out of the belief and keenness to establish peace and peaceful coexistence at the global and regional levels," he noted.

He highlighted, "The initiative to hold this conference to celebrate this international day is an opportunity to convey Iraq's message to the international community regarding the achieved stability and development projects and preserving these achievements in light of the escalating crisis in the region and other challenges," stressing, "Terrorism is the result of hatred, and violence is the product of extremism and fanaticism, and these concepts have become more common today than before, but most important of all is that we are meeting here to ward off danger from our countries through constructive partnerships, cooperation, and the exchange of experiences and information.”

"We have no choice but to move forward with drawing the map for world peace, in fulfillment of the principles of human rights and divine laws, all of which reject all forms of abhorrent extremism," he noted, adding, "Iraqis have come together as a people and all types of armed forces, including the army, the federal police, and the Popular Mobilization Forces (which is a national institution), along with the Peshmerga, the tribes, and all the people of Iraq, as they all stood and made sacrifices in order for us to reach a state of stability and sustainable security."

Al-Araji stressed, “The victories achieved in 2017 over terrorism and the defeat of the terrorist organization Daesh were followed by government plans for reconstruction, programs for community peace, the voluntary return of IDPs, and the consolidation of the principles of democracy, freedom, and protection.”

"The Iraqi government approved the national strategy to combat violent extremism that leads to terrorism, to strengthen the steps in the field of societal peace," he added, noting "The Iraqi government is committed to making 2024 the year of returning all IDPs to their areas of residence after the appropriate conditions have been created for that."

He explained, "The sacrifices of our armed, security, and intelligence forces of all kinds, and the support of the supreme religious authority represented by Imam Ali al-Sistani, and his fatwa saved the country and its people from a real danger, in addition to the assistance of friendly countries," noting, "We have come a long way in pursuing terrorist elements after liberating our dear cities, and today our liberated cities have witnessed a different reality of services, construction, and humanitarian programs that have restored people's dignity and confidence in the Iraqi state."

"The number of Iraqi families that were returned from the Syrian Al-Hawl camp reached 1,924 families, representing 7,556 citizens, and 1,200 families were returned to their original areas of residence," he stated, adding, "Iraq affirms its firm position on what is happening in Gaza in terms of the killing and extermination of children, women, and defenseless innocents, and the international community must stop these massacres. Otherwise, there will be no security or stability without justice for the Palestinian people in their independent, sovereign state."

He pointed out, "The Iraqi government announced its clear and frank position of condemnation of the violation of Iraqi sovereignty, the killing of Iraqi citizens, and the targeting of national state institutions. Iraq also refuses to let its lands be an arena for settling scores."

"Iraq does not pose a threat to any country, and at the same time wants to be distant from any conflicts, as everyone must help in this direction," he highlighted, adding, “Iraq reiterates its emphasis on establishing the best relations with friendly countries, especially neighboring countries and brotherly countries, in accordance with common interests and mutual respect for sovereignty, partnership, and cooperation in promoting world peace.”