Chief Justice calls for increased international cooperation to combat ISIS
"Since 2003, terrorist organizations have turned Iraq into an arena for their criminal activities," Chief Justice Fayeq Zedan, Head of the Iraqi Supreme Judicial Council stated.
ERBIL (Kurdistan 24) – Chief Justice Fayeq Zedan, Head of the Iraqi Supreme Judicial Council, emphasized the critical need for international cooperation to combat terrorism, highlighting Iraq's struggle against ISIS and other terrorist organizations.
On Thursday, Chief Justice Fayeq Zedan addressed a program focused on enhancing global efforts to prosecute ISIS, discussing the ongoing threat of terrorism and recent attacks in various parts of Iraq.
"Since 2003, terrorist organizations have turned Iraq into an arena for their criminal activities," he stated.
Zedan stressed the importance of international collaboration in the fight against terrorism. "Without this cooperation, we will not get rid of these terrorist viruses that threaten all countries of the world," he said.
He also highlighted the significant role the Iraqi judiciary has played in combating terrorism over recent years. "The Iraqi judiciary has played an important role in the fight against terrorism in recent years," Zedan noted.
A judicial delegation from Iraq and the Kurdistan Region, including the Deputy President of the Judicial Council in the Kurdistan Region, the President of the Nineveh Court of Appeal, and several judges specializing in anti-terrorism cases, will participate in the program, aiming to bolster international efforts against terrorism.
Recent reports highlight the alarming resurgence of ISIS and al-Qaida across the Middle East, driven by ongoing conflicts and instability.
The Guardian's report reveals that ISIS has intensified its activities in Iraq, Syria, Yemen, and Egypt, exploiting the regional turmoil.
The war in Gaza has created an environment conducive to the reorganization of ISIS and al-Qaida, enabling these groups to strengthen and expand.
In the Sinai Peninsula, ISIS attacks have become more frequent and deadly. There have been reports of over 150 attacks by ISIS on the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) and Iraqi forces in both Syria and Iraq this year alone.
Read More: Islamic State attacks on track to double in Iraq and Syria compared to last year, US military says
Despite efforts to eliminate ISIS in Iraq, the group continues to launch sporadic attacks in Iraq and seeks to establish a presence along the Yemeni border. A recent ISIS attack in Qarahanjir resulted in the death of a border security employee.
Read More: ISIS attack in Qarah Anjir leaves security forces casualty, terrorists neutralized
The security gap between Peshmerga forces and the Iraqi army, particularly in the Kirkuk-Salah al-Din-Diyala triangle and the Hamrin mountain range, has allowed ISIS remnants to persist. Joint brigades formed to secure these areas have been prevented from assuming their duties.
Read More: Security gap between Peshmerga, Iraqi Army blamed for rise in attacks
Regional security services are increasingly concerned that the Gaza conflict is enabling ISIS and al-Qaida to rebuild and orchestrate new terrorist plots.
As reported by the Guardian, Tricia Bacon, a terrorism expert at American University, describes the Gaza war as a "seminal cause" that will radicalize a new generation of jihadis, heightening the terrorism threat in the coming years.
Read More: UN Security Council adopts resolution 2734 to combat ISIS, Al-Qaida
The United Nations has reported that extremist groups are exploiting the Gaza war to attract new recruits and mobilize existing supporters, despite their historical condemnation of Hamas. A UN report in February warned of major al-Qaida affiliates planning ambitious operations and reinvigorating their media strategies to incite global lone actors.
In Syria, ISIS has launched over 100 attacks on government forces and Kurdish-led fighters in recent months, with violence peaking in March. A recent attack in Raqqa province killed seven Syrian soldiers, and since the beginning of the year, 383 fighters from government forces and their proxy militias have been killed.
Read More: Increase of ISIS Activities: Surge in Movements and Abductions of Civilians Reported
The UN report underscores the differing media strategies of ISIS and al-Qaida, with ISIS focusing on local regimes and al-Qaida on a global campaign against Western powers.
