UK and Iraq sign landmark security pact to combat people smuggling

The UK government announced Thursday a “world-first” security agreement with Iraq to tackle people-smuggling gangs and enhance border security, news outlets reported.

The deal follows a visit by Interior Minister Yvette Cooper to Iraq and its Kurdistan region, where she met with government officials.

The agreements include a joint UK-Iraq border security statement, a commitment to accelerate the return of migrants without UK legal status, and £300,000 in UK funding for Iraqi border security training.

Cooper emphasized the need for international collaboration against organized crime, noting the global scope of people-smuggling operations.