Iraq calls on international community to assist in combating drugs
The Iraqi National Security Adviser, Qassim Al-Araji, and the Australian Ambassador to Iraq, Paula Ganly. Photo: National Security Adviser’s office
Baghdad (IraqiNews.com) – The Iraqi National Security Adviser, Qassim Al-Araji, highlighted the importance of the international community’s support for Iraq in combating drugs, according to a statement issued by Al-Araji’s press office.
The statement illustrated that Al-Araji’s remarks took place during his meeting with the Australian Ambassador to Iraq, Paula Ganly, in Baghdad.
Al-Araji explained that combating drugs represents a new challenge that is no less serious than the fight against terrorism, stressing that Iraq gained great experience during its war against terrorism.
Both sides discussed the latest political and security developments at the international and regional levels, as well as the issue of the Al-Hol camp in Syria and the importance of urging countries to withdraw their nationals from the camp as a step to have it dismantled.
The two officials also discussed strengthening cooperation in the field of combating terrorism and drugs.
Last month, the Iraqi National Intelligence Service (INIS) arrested 404 terrorists, drug dealers, and drug addicts in one week.
According to data revealed by the INIS, 86 terrorists and 318 drug dealers and addicts were arrested within the week from July 13 to July 20.
The Al-Hol camp is located in the Syrian countryside of Al-Hasakah, near the Iraqi border, and is under the control of the US army and the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF).
According to the United Nations, more than 55 thousand people live in Al-Hol refugee camp, located less than 10 kilometers from the Iraqi borders.
In addition to foreign families of militants, estimated at about 10 thousand people, the camp also shelters families of displaced Syrians and Iraqis, some of whom are still in contact with ISIS.
In 2014, the terrorist group ISIS took control of large areas in Iraq and Syria before being defeated in 2017.
More than five million Iraqis were forced to flee from the governorates of Nineveh, Salah Al-Din, parts of Kirkuk, Diyala, and Anbar as the terrorist group controlled large areas in 2014.