UNIPATH STAFF Although Da’ish terrorists bombed a mosque in Kuwait to foment hatred, Kuwaitis and their friends around the world undermined that message of divisiveness by vowing to end such sectarian violence. The June 2015 attack on the Imam Al-Sadiq Mosque in Kuwait City left several dozen dead and hundreds injured. His Highness Emir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah called the terrorists responsible for the attack cowards and promised they would be captured and brought to justice. He reassured his countrymen that the attack would not undermine national unity. “We will cut the evil hand that interferes with our homeland’s security,”…
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ORGANIZATION FOR SECURITY AND CO-OPERATION IN EUROPE The Organization for Security and Co-Operation in Europe (OSCE) Centre in Bishkek and the Anti-terrorism Centre of the State Committee on National Security of the Kyrgyz Republic (SCNS KR) conducted a five-day counterterrorism training course in 2015 focusing on the radicalization process that leads to terrorism and effective preventive measures. The course was held at the SCNS KR Bakaev Institute in Bishkek. Twenty law enforcement specialists from the Kyrgyz Ministry of Interior, Anti-Terrorism Centre of the State Committee on National Security, the Bakaev Institute, General Staff of the Armed Forces, Kyrgyz State Border…
THE ASSOCIATED PRESS Jordan’s military unveiled a new phase of a border surveillance system in June 2015 that experts say provides an effective defense against infiltration attempts, including by Da’ish terrorists. The kingdom plays a high-profile role in the multinational military coalition against the terrorists, who are undermining security and stability in Iraq. These terrorists pose a potential threat to the security of Jordan and previously have attacked border points. The border security system includes radar and surveillance towers that enable Jordanian forces to spot suspected infiltrators several miles before they reach the border. With the completion of the second…
CAPT. JEFF M. NAGAN/U.S. AIR FORCE For the first time since the fall of the Taliban, Pohantoon-e-Hawayee, the Afghan Air Force Academy, graduated a class of 184 new officers in May 2015. Graduation came at the end of a year’s worth of study that included English language classes, aviation instruction and religious studies. “Be strong and be prepared,” Afghan Air Force Maj. Gen. Abdul Wahab Wardak, commanding general of the Afghan Air Force, told graduates. “You are the future of the Afghan Air Force. The people of Afghanistan are proud of you. Do not forget that you are here to…
SABAH AL-KHAZ’ALI/IRAQI MINISTRY OF DEFENSE Iraq’s Center for Military Values and Principles, a section of the University of Defense for Military Studies, organized a course on international humanitarian law for a number of officers in the Iraqi Armed Forces in 2015. Staff Brig. Gen. Khalid al-Bayyati, commander of the Center for Military Values and Principles, talked about the importance of this course. “In accordance with its commitment to international treaties and conventions, Iraq has signed a memorandum of understanding with the International Committee of the Red Cross to promote the culture of international humanitarian law in Iraq, especially within the…
SOF school promotes professionalism, loyalty and tolerance Maj. Gen. Falah Hasan Kadhim Al-Mohamedawi, Director, Special Operations Academy The Iraqi Counter-terrorism Service invests in developing well-educated fighters who respect humanity, reject ethno-sectarian discrimination and pledge loyalty only to Iraq. Before thinking of weapons and technologies, we focus on building fighters’ capacity. It was for this reason that the Iraqi Special Operations Forces Academy was founded as a cornerstone institution to build professional forces capable of deterring security threats. The academy was established in 2009 and played a big role in standardizing all tactics and trainings of the Special Operations Forces. The academy consists…
The coalition can’t overlook the psychology that drives extremism Professor Qassim Hussein Salih/Founder and Head of the Iraqi Psychological Association It does not concern us here whether the Da’ish is an Arab, regional or international creation that led to the fall of Mosul. Strategists have addressed the issue of Da’ish from military, security and political points of views. Parliamentarian committees could not decipher its behavior. Besides, we are hardly concerned with the opinions of politicians because they focus on the terrorists’ intent to overthrow government and seize authority. Their views constitute a passive opinion regarding the reasons that drove Da’ish…
Iraqi women fight with honor and courage against Da’ish UNIPATH STAFF Iraqi women are characterized by their dedication, patience and ability to withstand suffering despite disastrous waves of wars, blockades, violence and terrorism. They are still struggling against crises and have joined hands with men for the sake of making bright futures amid difficult conditions. They do this to achieve security, safety, peace and tranquility in their home of Iraq. There are women across Iraq who have become extraordinary symbols of valor and sacrifice, encountering an enemy that knows no mercy or compassion — an enemy that strives for bloodshed and the…
Iraqi Special Operations Forces are fierce in battle and show compassion and respect for civilians UNIPATH STAFF The elite Iraqi Special Operations Forces score victories every day against Da’ish. Iraqis know these Soldiers as the “Golden Brigade.” When their convoys travel through Iraqi cities, all eyes gravitate to them and the children smile and wave with innocent hands. Their suntanned skin reveals the deep roots of Sumerian warriors rich in love and loyalty to Mesopotamia. Among them are men from Zakho, Basra, Omara, Anbar, Salah al-Din, Kut, Nasiriya and Mosul; they are men of different origins but unified in their love…
Adm. Ali Hussein Ali Led the Navy and Coastal Defense Force with Professionalism and Pride UNIPATH STAFF Listening to Adm. Ali Hussein Ali, commander of the Iraqi Navy and Coastal Defense Force, brings to mind the words of the great Iraqi poet Mudhafar Al-Nawab in his masterpiece Chief of Sailors. His words echo confidence and deep faith in Iraq’s naval forces: “I know the Chief of Sailors, he never leaves the deck of his warship; The Chief has no limits, beyond the limits of other ships; He selects the most loyal sailors of the good old days Who can predict a…