Iraq's top military chief visits Naval Forces HQ in Basra

BAGHDAD, Iraq — Iraq's Chief of the General Staff, Lt. Gen. Abdul Amir Rashid Yarallah, arrived at the Naval Forces headquarters within the Basra Operations Responsibility Area on Monday, the Ministry of Defense said. The visit was aimed at reviewing the operational readiness of units tasked with safeguarding Iraq's territorial waters and assessing field developments on the ground, according to a written ministry statement. The ministry said Yarallah led a senior military delegation during the visit, holding talks with headquarters officials. The delegation also discussed security coordination and maritime security in the region, the statement added. The visit comes as part of the General Staff's broader oversight of operational commands across Iraq, the ministry said. No further details on the outcome of the talks were immediately available.