Says political advisor to PM

Iraq seeks ‘not to become party’ to Iran-Israel conflict

2024-08-13 | 17:07

BAGHDAD — As international attention turns to potential Iranian attacks on Israel, a political adviser to Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia Al-Sudani has assured that Iraq will not be a target in the escalating conflict. “Iraq will not be targeted,” confirmed Fadi Al-Shammari, noting that “clear agreements” have been made with both Iraqi armed factions and Iran to prevent Iraq from being drawn into any escalation.

The assassination of Ismail Haniyeh, the political leader of the Hamas movement, in Tehran on July 31, 2024, has significantly heightened tensions in the region. Following Haniyeh’s killing, which has been attributed to Israel, Iran has expressed its outrage, with various calls for retaliation against Israel. Iranian officials and media have accused Israel of violating international norms by targeting a high-profile political figure on Iranian soil.

In an interview with Dijlah TV, Al-Shammari highlighted Iraq’s diplomatic approach to the crisis: “Iraq is striving not to become a party to the conflict and is advocating for the Palestinian cause through diplomatic channels. Iraq is also working to manage internal reactions to safeguard national interests.”

Iraq hosts a range of militant groups closely aligned with Iran, known collectively as the Iraqi Islamic Resistance. These groups, part of the broader Iranian-led Axis of Resistance that includes forces from Lebanon, Yemen, and Syria, had previously warned of readiness to engage against Israel and the United States amid escalating threats.

Al-Shammari elaborated on the Iraqi armed groups’ compliance with government policies, which were deliberated within the Coordination Framework and later with the Coalition of State Forces, both key components of the governing alliance. “The Iraqi armed groups have so far adhered to the government’s proposed policy,” Al-Shammari stated.

He reassured that a bombing within Iraq is unlikely: “It is unlikely that any site in Iraq will be bombed. Iran understands this, having engaged in dialogue and experienced difficulties with Baghdad after bombing Erbil based on misleading information. The agreement reached is that no hostile actions will be taken within Iraq’s geographical boundaries without notifying and coordinating with Baghdad,” he added.

On March 13, 2022, Iran fired 12 ballistic missiles at civilian areas in Erbil, a move the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps claimed was targeting “the center of Zionist conspiracy.” This claim was contested by the Kurdistan Regional Government, which denied any Mossad presence.

Nearly two years later, another Iranian missile attack struck the home of businessman Peshraw Dizayee in Erbil, resulting in his death, the death of his daughter, and injuries to his wife and sons. A visiting businessman and a Filipina worker also died

In response to these attacks, the Iraqi government has taken a range of measures, including diplomatic actions, official condemnations, the establishment of a high-level fact-finding committee, and lodging a formal complaint against Iran with the United Nations Security Council.

Al-Shammari concluded by addressing the allegations of Mossad’s presence in Iraq, emphasizing the importance of providing evidence to Iraqi authorities. “The accusations from Iran are baseless, and Iran knows better than anyone that these are false claims,” said Masoud Barzani, leader of the Kurdistan Democratic Party.

“Iran would not have dared to bomb Erbil if the city actually housed Mossad headquarters,” he added.