June 14, 2026 10:23 pm (IST)
Follow us:
Iraq: Ban urges leaders to show unity in face of threats
New York, Jun 11 (IBNS): Urging all political leaders in Iraq to show national unity against the myriad threats facing the country, United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on Tuesday expressed grave concern about the "serious deterioration" of security in Mosul, and condemned the recent spate of terrorist attacks that have left scores of dead and wounded in Iraq's northern and eastern provinces.
In a statement issued by his spokesperson in New York, the UN chief said he is gravely concerned by the deteriorating situation in Mosul, where, according to news reports, after days of fighting against Government forces, militants associated with the Islamic State of Iraq (ISIS) and the Levant (ISIL) have overrun the city – the second largest in Iraq – forcing thousands of civilians to flee the violence.
Further to the statement, the Secretary-General “strongly condemned” the terrorist attacks in restive Anbar, Baghdad, Diyala, Ninewa, and Salah al-Din provinces that have killed and wounded scores of civilians over the past several days. Ban extended his profound condolences to the families of the victims and to the Government of Iraq.
“The Secretary-General urges all political leaders to show national unity against the threats facing Iraq, which can only be addressed on the basis of the Constitution and within the democratic political process,” said the statement.
Ban also encouraged the Government of Iraq and the Kurdish Regional Government to cooperate in restoring security to Ninewa Province and in delivering urgently needed humanitarian aid.
“The United Nations Assistance Mission for Iraq (UNAMI) stands ready to support these efforts,” the statement adds.
As for the situation in Anbar, about which the Secretary-General remains “deeply concerned”, the statement welcomes the convening of an Anbar reconciliation conference and strongly encourages all local tribal, political and religious leaders to participate constructively in order to put an end to the fighting.
In the statement, Ban recalls that all UN Member States have an obligation to implement and enforce the targeted financial sanctions, arms embargo and travel ban imposed on the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) under the sanctions regime pursuant to Security Council resolutions 1267 (1999) and 1989 (2011).
“The United Nations, including UNAMI, will continue to support the Government and people of Iraq in building a peaceful, democratic and prosperous country,” the statement concludes.
(Since the onset of the Anbar crisis, IOM and WFP have strategically collaborated to distribute life-saving food items to IDPs fl eeing violence throughout the central region of Iraq. Photo: IOM Iraq)
Support Our Journalism
We cannot do without you.. your contribution supports unbiased journalism
IBNS is not driven by any ism- not wokeism, not racism, not skewed secularism, not hyper right-wing or left liberal ideals, nor by any hardline religious beliefs or hyper nationalism. We want to serve you good old objective news, as they are. We do not judge or preach. We let people decide for themselves. We only try to present factual and well-sourced news.
Support objective journalism for a small contribution.
Latest Headlines
UK, Japan announce £18 billion investment package, deepen cooperation on technology and security
Sun, Jun 14 2026
Brazilian woman dies in bungee jump horror after staff 'forgot' to attach safety rope
Sun, Jun 14 2026
Modi-Trump meeting set for G7 sidelines as Hormuz crisis, global security take centre stage
Sat, Jun 13 2026
'Strait of Hormuz will reopen immediately': Trump says Iran deal to be signed on June 14
Sat, Jun 13 2026
Indian-origin man jailed for 34 years in UK over horrific kidnap, torture and rape case
Sat, Jun 13 2026