More than 70 missiles and drones have targeted Erbil since war began, says FM

BAGHDAD — Foreign Minister Fuad Hussein said Monday that more than 70 missiles and drones have targeted Erbil since the war between the United States, Israel and Iran began, describing Iraq as “a victim of this war” during a phone call with UAE Foreign Minister Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan.

“The country is being subjected to attacks by different parties to the conflict, which further complicates the security situation,” Hussein said, noting that while Erbil has borne the brunt of strikes, other parties have targeted sites in southern and western Iraq.

Abdullah bin Zayed said the UAE had absorbed “around 800 missile and drone attacks,” with many civilian sites among the targets. “There is no justification for these attacks,” he said, stressing the need to stop them immediately.

Both ministers called for a ceasefire. Hussein reiterated Iraq’s position calling for “the containment of escalation in a way that protects civilians and preserves the security and stability of the region.”

Earlier Monday, Hussein told his Estonian counterpart that “Iraq is not a party to the war, but its geographic location makes it directly impacted by its repercussions and the associated military operations.”