Iraq is keen on fortifying its bilateral relations, especially in the realm of counter-terrorism. Faiq Zaidan, the head of Iraq’s Supreme Judicial Council, delved into discussions with a French judicial delegation, exploring avenues of collaboration in the battle against terrorism.
According to a statement relayed by the Iraqi “Al-Sumaria News” channel, the media outlet for the judiciary specified that the talks encompassed judicial cooperation between the two nations. This includes combating terrorism and facilitating the exchange of judicial assistance requests.
The rise of extremist groups in the past decade has seen nations globally pooling resources and intelligence to thwart terror activities. France and Iraq, both significantly affected in various ways, recognize the importance of such collaborations. This meeting can be seen as a step forward in strengthening their combined efforts against terror elements.
In the wake of the 21st century, the international community has been grappling with the heightened threat of terrorism, largely propelled by extremist ideologies. Both Iraq and France have been at the forefront of this battle, each for its reasons and circumstances.
Iraq has faced tumultuous times since the US-led invasion in 2003. The power vacuum and the subsequent political unrest provided fertile grounds for extremist groups, notably ISIS, to grow. The nation’s struggle against these groups and its efforts to regain territories lost to ISIS has been long and arduous.
France, on the other hand, being an influential European power, has been the target of several terrorist attacks in the past decades. The nation has had to deal with homegrown terrorism, radicalization, and the challenges posed by returning jihadists who fought in conflict zones such as Syria and Iraq.
