Lebanon cabinet backs army plan to disarm Hezbollah, Shi’ite ministers walk out
Lebanon’s cabinet on Friday endorsed an army plan to disarm Hezbollah as Shi’ite ministers stage walk out in protest....
Türkiye and Iraq have once again emphasized the importance of each other's political unity, sovereignty, and territorial integrity.This commitment was reaffirmed in a joint statement following the conclusion of the fifth meeting of the High-Level Security Mechanism held on Sunday in Antalya, Turkey.
The two countries pledged to enhance coordination and cooperation across a range of bilateral areas, including military affairs, border security, counterterrorism, defense industry, energy, water, and the ongoing Development Road Project. This project aims to connect Asia and Europe through a network of railways, roads, ports, and cities.
Both sides expressed their shared intention to advance bilateral relations within a sustainable and institutional framework, underscoring the value of mutual visits. The statement also highlighted the planned visit of Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani to Türkiye on May 8, which will serve as the next meeting of the High-Level Strategic Cooperation Council.
A significant part of the statement focused on the common threat posed by the PKK, the Kurdistan Workers' Party, a group recognized as a terrorist organization by Türkiye, the U.S., and the EU. Over the past 40 years, the PKK has been responsible for over 40,000 deaths, including those of civilians. The group continues to operate from northern Iraq, launching cross-border attacks into Türkiye. Both countries agreed on the importance of implementing the recent call by PKK leader Abdullah Öcalan for the group to dissolve and lay down its arms.
In addition to counterterrorism efforts, Türkiye and Iraq agreed on the need to establish a joint committee to address the situation in the Al-Hol, Roj, and other camps in Syria. They also reaffirmed their commitment to establishing a joint operations center within the framework of the Quint Mechanism, a regional initiative launched on March 9 in Amman by Syria and its neighboring countries.
The joint statement also expressed concern over Israel’s severe violations in Gaza, Lebanon, and Syria. Both countries welcomed the positive results of a recent meeting between U.S. and Iranian delegations in Oman, viewing continued dialogue as a potential pathway to peace.
The meeting was attended by Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan, National Defense Minister Yasar Guler, National Intelligence Organization Head Ibrahim Kalin, and Deputy Interior Minister Munir Karaloglu, alongside Iraqi Foreign Minister Fuad Hussein and other officials.
AnewZ has learned that India has once again blocked Azerbaijan’s application for full membership in the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation, while Pakistan’s recent decision to consider diplomatic relations with Armenia has been coordinated with Baku as part of Azerbaijan’s peace agenda.
A powerful eruption at Japan’s Shinmoedake volcano sent an ash plume more than 3,000 metres high on Sunday morning, prompting safety warnings from authorities.
A day of mourning has been declared in Portugal to pay respect to victims who lost their lives in the Lisbon Funicular crash which happened on Wednesday evening.
The UK is gearing up for Exercise Pegasus 2025, its largest pandemic readiness test since COVID-19. Running from September to November, this full-scale simulation will challenge the country's response to a fast-moving respiratory outbreak.
A Polish Air Force pilot was killed on Thursday when an F-16 fighter jet crashed during a training flight ahead of the 2025 Radom International Air Show.
At the Prague Defence Summit, Defence Industries Secretary Haluk Görgün met with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte, highlighting the sector’s rapid growth.
Azerbaijan has rejected Russia’s recent statement on insurance payments related to the downing of an AZAL plane, calling it misleading and an attempt to distort facts.
Türkiye’s Ministry of National Defence has warned that the terrorist group Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF)’s inability to integrate into the Syrian army poses a serious threat to the country’s political and territorial integrity.
A magnitude 6.2 earthquake struck southeastern Afghanistan on Thursday at a depth of 10 kilometres, the German Research Centre for Geosciences (GFZ) said.
The third Uzbekistan–Belarus Women Entrepreneurs’ Business Forum has opened in Vitebsk as part of an official visit by a delegation led by Chairperson of the Senate of Uzbekistan, Tanzila Narbayeva.
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