Al-Zaidi pledges to prevent any threat from Iraq to neighboring countries
Amid escalating tensions spreading from Iran to Egypt, Iraqi Prime Minister and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces Ali al-Allawi stressed the need to prevent any transgressions or threats emanating from Iraqi territory toward neighboring countries, announcing the formation of a joint security committee to confront challenges and establish deterrent mechanisms to prevent the recurrence of such incidents or any potential violations.
During an emergency meeting held on the night of Saturday-Sunday to discuss regional security developments, al-Allawi directed Iraqi security agencies to enforce the law, enhance security and stability, and fulfill their responsibilities in protecting sovereignty and maintaining good neighborly relations.
Al-Allawi affirmed the readiness of the armed forces to thwart any attempt targeting neighboring countries within Iraq’s regional sphere, reiterating its firm commitment to not allow its territory to be used as a launching pad or transit route for attacks on fraternal and friendly states, in line with its responsibility to safeguard national sovereignty and respect the principles of good neighborliness and international law.
The New York Times reported that Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) had recently held communications with leaders of Iraqi armed factions, Hezbollah, and the Houthi militia to discuss mechanisms for expanding operations in the event of a broader confrontation in the region.
According to the newspaper, Jordan and Syria informed the Iraqi government of monitoring movements by Iran-aligned militias near their borders, warning that any attack launched from Iraqi territory “will not go unanswered.”
Sources familiar with the matter stated that Syrian authorities held direct communications with Iraqi officials, revealing the monitoring of militia movements and gatherings near the border between the two countries. Damascus warned that “any attack launched from Iraqi soil will be met with a firm military response,” urging Baghdad to take decisive measures to prevent its territory from being used against Syrian security.
Meanwhile, National Security Advisor Qasim al-Abboudi and the commander of the NATO mission in Iraq, Lieutenant General Ramon Armada, discussed ways to de-escalate tensions and reach solutions for recurring regional crises through dialogue and diplomatic channels, agreeing to open a NATO mission office in Baghdad.
The new Iraqi Prime Minister faces one of the most complex phases, amid overlapping security and political files, foremost among them consolidating state control over weapons and combating corruption, while moving to curb Iran-aligned factions and seeking to avoid further strikes like those Iraq has received from Saudi Arabia and the United States.
