Baghdad: Prime Minister and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces Mohammed Shiaa Al-Sudani on Wednesday praised the efforts of civil defense agencies in Iraq and the Arab world, stressing that the success of development plans and major projects requires a modern and effective civil defense system.
According to National Iraqi News Agency, the Prime Minister's media office announced that Al-Sudani sponsored the 20th session of the Conference of Arab Civil Defense and Civil Protection Chiefs. This event, held in Baghdad, saw the participation of representatives from Arab ministries of interior. During his address at the conference, Al-Sudani welcomed the delegations and highlighted the importance of generating practical recommendations to bolster this crucial sector, which he described as 'one of the noblest professions'. He emphasized the role of civil defense as the frontline in disaster response, life-saving operations, and property protection.
Al-Sudani lauded the sacrifices made by civil defense personnel, referring to them as 'messengers of peace and unity among nations in times of natural disasters and emergencies.' He recalled the contributions of Iraqi civil defense teams, alongside their Arab peers, in aiding Syria during the recent devastating wildfires in its coastal regions.
Touching on the humanitarian crises in the region, Al-Sudani denounced war crimes in Gaza, especially the targeting of civil defense, relief, and health personnel, as well as the ongoing aggressions against Lebanon. He urged Arab nations to consolidate efforts to provide aid and mitigate the repercussions of these assaults.
The Prime Minister further stated that the Iraqi government is prioritizing the enhancement of civil defense capabilities through preventive strategies and updated legislation. He noted that the first amendment to Civil Defense Law No. (44 of 2013) has been submitted to Parliament. Additionally, he announced the creation of a specialized Civil Defense Institute aimed at training firefighting and safety personnel, while also enabling Iraqi staff to engage in international courses and gain from global expertise.
On the operational front, Al-Sudani revealed plans to establish 100 model civil defense units by the year's end to improve emergency response times. The Civil Defense Directorate will be equipped with 340 rapid-response vehicles, over 150 specialized firefighting trucks, 120 water tankers, and advanced vehicles for high-rise fire suppression. Furthermore, more than 500 new personnel have been recruited to fill vacancies and support newly established centers.
Al-Sudani concluded by stating that adopting global standards and modern technology in constructing new cities-which are set to include nearly one million housing units in Baghdad and other provinces-is part of the government's vision to enhance civil defense and safety systems, aligning them with sustainable development demands.