Iraq’s ruling coalition condemns US strikes

BAGHDAD, February 4 – The State Administration Coalition, an alliance  of Shiite, Sunni, and Kurdish political factions currently leading the government, held an urgent meeting on Sunday to condemn the recent US attacks. The session, convened by Prime Minister Muhammad Shiaa Al-Sudani and attended by President Abdul Latif Rashid, issued the following statement:

Statement of the State Administration Coalition Meeting

An emergency meeting is held, upon the invitation of Prime Minister Muhammad Shiaa Al-Sudani, and in the presence of the President of the Republic, Abdul Latif Rashid, to follow up on developments in the dangerous events in the country.

The coalition expressed its strong condemnation of the American aggression that targeted the positions of the Popular Mobilization Forces on the night of 2-3 of this month, and resulted in the martyrdom and injury of dozens of members and civilians. It is a serious attack on an official Iraqi security institution, representing a violation of Iraq’s sovereignty and security, and a transgression of international norms and laws regulating relations between countries.

The coalition renewed its authorization to the government and its support for the dialogue it is conducting with the international coalition to end this presence through understanding and dialogue, and to ensure the building of bilateral relations between Iraq and the countries of the international coalition, which was confirmed in the recent agreement between Iraq and the United States.

The coalition expressed its rejection of all forms of attacks targeting Iraqi military bases, as well as targeting military advisors from international coalition countries who work within specific advisory and training missions.

The coalition stressed its support for the government in not allowing any party to drag Iraq into the arena of conflict taking place in the region. The supreme national interest of Iraq must be placed above any other interest, and that everyone’s responsibility is to ensure the maintenance of security and stability in the country, which was achieved through great sacrifices made by our people and our armed forces of all kinds.