Baghdad, Erbil Boost Security Coordination, Agree on Fugitive Extradition

A high-level security meeting in Baghdad on Sunday convened prominent officials from the federal government and the Kurdistan Region to discuss field coordination and military cooperation mechanisms. The gathering focused on enhancing joint efforts to secure borders, extradite fugitives to justice, and expand intelligence work between both sides. Lieutenant General Abdul Amir Al-Shammari, Director of the Office of the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, chaired the session. Attendees included the head of the Counter-Terrorism Service, the head of the Border Ports Authority, the Undersecretary of Intelligence at the Ministry of Interior, the deputies of the National Security and Intelligence Services, the Deputy Chief of Staff for Operations, and several federal army commanders. From the Kurdistan Region, the Chief of Staff of the Peshmerga Forces attended with an accompanying delegation of leaders and heads of security agencies, to discuss effective coordination. The meeting featured a detailed briefing on areas of common security interest, alongside discussions on border crossings and the operations of border units in the Region to ensure tight control and prevent smuggling and infiltration. Participants also explored strengthening cooperation in combating narcotics and dismantling their networks, and developing work mechanisms within joint coordination centers for rapid intelligence exchange. During the meeting, Al-Shammari stressed the importance of prioritizing tasks, specifically highlighting the need to secure international borders, conduct joint trainings, extradite fugitives, and deepen intelligence operations. The session also reviewed observations from the Chief of Staff of the Peshmerga Forces regarding the implementation of field plans. The discussions concluded with final recommendations aimed at bolstering security integration and unifying efforts to maintain stability across the country.