US denies involvement in alleged attack on Iraq’s Baghdad: Embassy
January 19, 2021, 11:07 am

US denies involvement in alleged attack on Iraq’s Baghdad: Embassy

Iraqi security forces stand in front of the US embassy in Baghdad on January 1, 2020. (File photo: AFP)

The United States was not involved in the alleged attacks on the south of Baghdad in Iraq, a spokesperson for the US Embassy in Baghdad confirmed on Tuesday.

“We are seeing reports of potential explosions near Jurf as-Sakhr, south of Baghdad. We can confirm that no US personnel or assets were in the vicinity of Jurf as-Sakhr and that there was no US involvement in this alleged incident,” the spokesperson said.

https://twitter.com/USEmbBaghdad/status/1351454286883020801

Earlier on Tuesday, the official account of the security media cell of the Iraqi Prime Minister’s Office denied reports of airstrikes hitting Iraq’s Baghdad on Monday night, calling them “incorrect”.

The sound of explosions that were reportedly heard at the scene were the result of electrical towers that were hit by ISIS militants, the media cell said on Twitter on Tuesday.

Security officials began a search operation to arrest those responsible for the attack, according to the statement.

Several reports on Monday had suggested the explosions may have been US or Israeli airstrikes on Iran-backed militias.

source: Tamara Abueish

Image source: AFP

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BENEFIT, the Kingdom’s innovator and leading company in Fintech and electronic financial transactions service, has sponsored the BuildHer CityHack 2025 Hackathon, a two-day event spearheaded by the College of Engineering and Technology at the Royal University for Women (RUW).
Aimed at secondary school students, the event brought together a distinguished group of academic professionals and technology experts to mentor and inspire young participants.
More than 100 high school students from across the Kingdom of Bahrain took part in the hackathon, which featured an intensive programme of training workshops and hands-on sessions. These activities were tailored to enhance participants’ critical thinking, collaborative problem-solving, and team-building capabilities, while also encouraging the development of practical and sustainable solutions to contemporary challenges using modern technological tools.
BENEFIT’s Chief Executive Mr. Abdulwahed AlJanahi, commented: “Our support for this educational hackathon reflects our long-term strategic vision to nurture the talents of emerging national youth and empower the next generation of accomplished female leaders in technology. By fostering creativity and innovation, we aim to contribute meaningfully to Bahrain’s comprehensive development goals and align with the aspirations outlined in the Kingdom’s Vision 2030—an ambition in which BENEFIT plays a central role.”
Professor Riyadh Yousif Hamzah, President of the Royal University for Women, commented: “This initiative reflects our commitment to advancing women in STEM fields. We're cultivating a generation of creative, solution-driven female leaders who will drive national development. Our partnership with BENEFIT exemplifies the powerful synergy between academia and private sector in supporting educational innovation.”
Hanan Abdulla Hasan, Senior Manager, PR & Communication at BENEFIT, said: “We are honoured to collaborate with RUW in supporting this remarkable technology-focused event. It highlights our commitment to social responsibility, and our ongoing efforts to enhance the digital and innovation capabilities of young Bahraini women and foster their ability to harness technological tools in the service of a smarter, more sustainable future.”
For his part, Dr. Humam ElAgha, Acting Dean of the College of Engineering and Technology at the University, said: “BuildHer CityHack 2025 embodies our hands-on approach to education. By tackling real-world problems through creative thinking and sustainable solutions, we're preparing women to thrive in the knowledge economy – a cornerstone of the University's vision.”