Iraq has important role in strengthening collective Arab security: Egyptian president

Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi stressed the importance of Iraq continuing to play a “constructive role” in strengthening the collective security of Arab countries Thursday and safeguarding the resources of the region’s peoples amid ongoing regional tensions, Anadolu reports.

Sisi made the remarks during a meeting with Ammar al-Hakim, leader of Iraq’s Hikma Movement, in the presence of Egyptian General Intelligence chief Hassan Rashad and Iraqi Ambassador to Cairo Qahtan Taha Janabi, according to a statement by the Egyptian presidency.

The meeting came amid regional tensions stemming from the US-Iran war that erupted in late February, during which Iran-aligned armed groups in Iraq launched attacks against Arab countries — moves that Baghdad condemned and began investigating.

The presidency said the meeting addressed “the current regional scene and its repercussions on the countries and peoples of the region, particularly Egypt and Iraq.”

Sisi reviewed, according to the statement, “ongoing Egyptian efforts to de-escalate tensions and avoid sliding into a new wave of escalation.”

He stressed “the importance of Iraq continuing to play a constructive role in strengthening the collective security of Arab countries and safeguarding the resources of the region’s peoples.”

On June 17, Washington and Tehran signed the “Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding,” which provided for an end to the military operations, and arrangements to reopen the Strait of Hormuz to navigation.

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Implementation of the agreement later stalled because of disagreements about its application and navigation through the strait, before fighting resumed in July, as international efforts to permanently end the war continued.

The meeting between Sisi and Hakim also addressed Egyptian efforts to support the Palestinian people through efforts to implement the second phase of the Sharm el-Sheikh agreement and the US peace plan, as well as facilitate the entry of aid and intensify humanitarian relief efforts in the Gaza Strip.

Egypt continues efforts related to implementing the agreement amid the repercussions of Israel’s war of extermination in Gaza since October 2023.

Israeli violations of the ceasefire agreement in Gaza have killed 1,408 Palestinians and injured 4,916 since Oct. 11, 2025, according to Palestinian figures.

The overall death toll has since risen to 73,928, with 175,030 injured, according to the Palestine Health Ministry. Most of the casualties are children and women.

Israel has also destroyed 90% of Gaza’s civilian infrastructure, while the UN has estimated the cost of reconstruction at about $70 billion.

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