Iraq to bolster cyber and air defense capabilities, Al-Sudani says

BAGHDAD — Prime Minister Mohammed Shia Al-Sudani chaired a regular session of the Ministerial Council for National Security on Wednesday, where officials reviewed the recent conflict between Israel and Iran and its implications for Iraq’s internal security.

According to a statement from Al-Sudani’s media office, military and security leaders presented detailed assessments of the 12-day conflict and proposed measures to strengthen Iraq’s defenses. Recommendations included the development of a “modern and advanced air defense system” and increased investment in intelligence and cybersecurity capabilities.

During the conflict, both Israel and Iran reportedly used Iraqi airspace to launch drones, warplanes, and missiles. Iraq later filed an official complaint with the United Nations Security Council, accusing Israel of violating its sovereignty. The complaint urged the council to “take legal and moral action” in response to what Baghdad described as Israeli incursions into Iraqi airspace.

A wave of drone and missile attacks that struck several parts of the country in recent days. On Monday night, three missiles hit Kirkuk International Airport, while another struck a home in the city’s Arouba neighborhood. At around 12:20 a.m. Tuesday, an explosive-laden drone hit a school in a camp for internally displaced people in Zakho’s Darkar subdistrict, sparking a fire that was later extinguished by civil defense teams.

In Salah Al-Din governorate, unidentified drones were spotted flying over the Baiji refinery early Tuesday. In Sulaymaniyah governorate, two drones crashed in the Tasluja area, igniting fires but causing no injuries.

Statement from Al-Sudani’s media office:

Prime Minister and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, Mohammed S. Al-Sudani, chaired today, Wednesday, the regular meeting of the Ministerial Council for National Security.

The meeting featured a comprehensive review of the recent Zionist aggression against the Islamic Republic of Iran and its repercussions. Security and military authorities provided detailed assessments and presented working papers that included proposals to further strengthen the armed forces and enhance Iraq’s defense capabilities through the development of a modern and advanced air defense system, as well as continued investment in intelligence and cybersecurity capacities.

The Council also reviewed Iraq’s diplomatic efforts during the aggression leading up to the ceasefire agreement. In addition, the National Center for Crisis and Disaster Management—together with the Ministry of Health, Ministry of Trade, and Baghdad Operations Command—delivered a joint briefing outlining crisis response mechanisms.

The meeting also addressed ongoing regional developments and proposed strategies to manage potential outcomes. Discussions included immediate measures to prevent any attempt to exploit the situation and emphasized the importance of taking firm action against incitement to sectarianism and the spread of hate speech, particularly through social media and other platforms.

The Council further reviewed preparations for commemorating the martyrdom of Imam Al-Hussein (peace be upon him) on the tenth day of Muharram.