Baghdad: Prime Minister, Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, Mohammed Shia al-Sudani, visited the Joint Operations Command today to oversee the coordination plan for securing the Ashura pilgrimage, with military and security officials in attendance.

According to National Iraqi News Agency, the Prime Minister conducted a videoconference meeting with the Supreme Coordination Committee. This committee includes the Ministers of Interior, Electricity, and Health, alongside the governors of Karbala, Babil, and Najaf, service committees, the Operations Command, police formations, and the Popular Mobilization Forces. The meeting focused on reviewing work plans as per his directives and discussing services for the pilgrims.

Al-Sudani emphasized the need for enhanced coordination across all security, military, and civil agencies, as well as ministries and holy shrines. He expressed condolences to Iraqis on the occasion of Ashura, highlighting the pilgrimage’s moral significance for Iraqis and Muslims. Al-Sudani acknowledged the efforts in ensuring the pilgrimage’s requirements and praised the coordinated efforts of subcommittees and specialized committees.

He underscored the necessity of having officials and leaders present in the field, particularly during the peak of pilgrim participation. Al-Sudani also instructed that officials’ and leaders’ convoys be minimized in the governorates hosting the pilgrimage ceremonies.

The meeting featured a review of plans and roles by the ministers and governors, who detailed their performance to ensure the smooth conduct of the pilgrimage ceremonies and the seamless reverse movement of pilgrims.