Al-Zaidi postpones his visit to Riyadh, Al-Sadr condemns the 'impudent' actions of militias

Baghdad – Agencies: The Iraqi presidency announced yesterday its rejection of using the country’s territory to attack neighboring states. In this context, Reuters reported, citing three sources who wished to remain anonymous, that Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al-Idabi’s visit to Saudi Arabia was canceled following attacks launched by Iran-aligned armed factions against the kingdom. Al-Idabi ordered an emergency meeting of the National Security Council yesterday. The Security Media Cell, in a statement received by the Iraqi News Agency (INA), said that “Prime Minister and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, Ali Faleh al-Idabi, directed convening an emergency meeting of the National Security Council.” It added that “a detailed statement regarding the course of events and decisions taken will be issued following this meeting.” Meanwhile, the Iraqi Prime Minister postponed a scheduled visit to the Saudi capital Riyadh, according to a senior source in his office. The source, who requested anonymity, told CNN yesterday that al-Idabi’s visit “has been postponed in light of the events,” adding that “the Iraqi side requested rescheduling the visit.” The Iraqi Prime Minister was scheduled to travel to Saudi Arabia today for an official visit. In a separate development, Iraqi Shia political leader Muqtada al-Sadr expressed his condemnation of attacks targeting Iraqi territory, while simultaneously denouncing the actions of “reckless militias” for dragging Iraq into a futile war. Al-Sadr wrote on the X platform, “I condemn the actions of reckless militias in dragging Iraq into a futile war.” He clarified that “Iraq and its people need peace, and we have had enough of wars that have drained all of Iraq’s resources and dignity, unfortunately. I also urge caution regarding dormant terrorist cells inside and outside the country, which will use sectarianism as an excuse to destabilize security in Iraq.”