US intervention prevented Israeli strikes on armed faction headquarters in Iraq, says Al-Fatah member

BAGHDAD — Mahmoud Al-Hayani, a member of the Al-Fatah Alliance, disclosed that the United States intervened to prevent Israeli airstrikes on armed faction headquarters in Iraq amid escalating regional tensions. According to Al-Hayani, Washington cautioned Tel Aviv against potential repercussions, emphasizing the impact such actions could have on its relations with Baghdad.

Al-Hayani further commented on regional dynamics, indicating his alliance’s support for Iran’s use of Iraqi airspace in its operations against Israel. “Let them enter with their planes and missiles,” he said, expressing alignment with Iran but underlining that Iraq’s territory would not be used for any attacks targeting Iran. He justified this stance, citing Iraq and Iran’s alignment within the broader “resistance axis.”

The Al-Fatah Alliance, formed in 2018, is an Iraqi political coalition primarily made up of political factions affiliated with the Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF). It is led by Hadi Al-Amiri, a prominent Shia figure and head of the Badr Organization.

Excerpts from Al-Hayani’s interview with 1 News channel:

The Israeli strikes were not impactful; they were calculated and agreed upon, almost a way to save face. In fact, the mutual strikes between Iran and Israel are both about saving face, as they have not resulted in any material or human losses.

It is not in the interest of the United States for a war to break out between Israel and Iran due to the significant effects it would have on global oil prices, especially with the onset of winter and the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war.

Wars in the world are driven by economic motives, and the United States is fighting Russia and Iran by proxy through Ukraine and Israel. The U.S. benefits from striking Iran, even if the strikes are merely symbolic, and it also benefits from keeping oil prices at acceptable levels, as it is an oil-producing country as well.

There is no accurate information regarding the breach of Iraqi airspace by Israeli warplanes. Some reports indicate the strikes were carried out from outside Iraq, while others suggest that Iraqi airspace was used to target Iranian military sites. In either case, Israeli planes have previously violated Iraqi airspace and bombed Popular Mobilization Forces sites.

We are aware that the Iraqi government is incapable of protecting Iraqi airspace, and this has been publicly acknowledged in an agreement with the American side, which committed to protecting our airspace and territory. However, Hajj [Hadi] Al-Amiri is frustrated by the repeated violations and breaches without any action from the Americans.

The Iraqi government must take a firmer stance on Israel’s violations of Iraqi airspace. It can file an official complaint with the United Nations Security Council, as well as summon the American ambassador to inform her of the need for Washington to adhere to the agreements signed with Iraq.

The Israelis were planning to target several sites within Iraqi territory, including headquarters of the Popular Mobilization Forces and resistance factions, but the Americans prevented this. They explained to the Israeli government the repercussions such targeting would have on bilateral relations with Iraq and the strategic agreements with Baghdad.

Iran may decide in the future to breach Iraqi airspace in response to Israeli violations, and at that point, our sky will be open to all the warring parties. However, we do not want to reach that stage, and the government is making efforts to contain everyone diplomatically.

Sudani does not possess fighter jets, air defense missiles, or radar systems to detect aircraft, so how can he maintain Iraq’s sovereignty? Nevertheless, Hajj Al-Amiri holds him accountable as prime minister and expects him to take a stance on the repeated violations. His statements may be intended to appease the Iranians, signaling that Iraq is not responsible for its territory being used to target them.

Iran can “enter Iraq with its planes and missiles.” We stand with Iran in its war against the Israeli entity, as our axis is united from Palestine, Lebanon, Syria, and Iraq. However, being targeted from Iraqi territory by Israel is a violation of our sovereignty.