While sent Israel Message to UN Security Council It identified 6 Iraqi factions threatening its security. Baghdad considered these allegations a pretext to expand the regional conflict.
She confirmed Iraqi government Its adherence to restraint, stressing its refusal to use Iraqi lands or airspace to target neighboring countries.
Iraqi government responses
Regarding the position of the Iraqi government, advisor to the Prime Minister, Hussein Allawi, said that Baghdad had taken strict measures on the ground to prevent the exploitation of Iraqi lands in attacks.
Allawi confirmed:
- The Iraqi government seeks to spare the country from any escalation that might lead to a direct confrontation with Israel.
- There is continuous communication with political forces and armed factions to contain the situation.
Despite these statements, diplomatic efforts alone may not be sufficient, given the absence of air defense systems capable of protecting Iraqi airspace.
Armed militias…a pressure card or an internal danger?
The editor-in-chief of the Iraqi Al-Seyassah newspaper, Adel Al-Manea, explained that the presence of armed factions puts the Iraqi government in an awkward position, as they give Israel pretexts to attack Iraq. And he said:
- The government needs serious steps to contain these militias, especially since they are not completely under state control.
- Possible Israeli strikes may target faction headquarters, but they may expand to include Iraqi strategic interests, deepening the crisis.
Iraqi sovereignty… between regional and international pressures
For his part, the expert in security and strategic affairs, Maan Al-Jubouri, confirmed that Iraq is suffering from geographical pressures that make it a focus in the Iranian-Israeli conflict. And he said:
- Iraq urgently needs to strengthen its sovereignty by building strong air defenses.
- The lack of advanced defense systems leaves Iraq’s airspace exposed to any threats.
- Iraq still depends on American support in managing its air force, which limits its independence in protecting its territory.
A call to restrict weapons to the state
The episode touched on the statements of Ali al-Sistani, who called for keeping weapons in the hands of the state. Al-Jubouri stressed that this statement reflects real concern about the growing influence of armed militias and their negative impact on the stability of Iraq.
Al-Jubouri added:
Iraq is a country suffering from economic and security challenges.
A few thousand armed men cannot push the country into a new war that will destroy all attempts at recovery.
Escalation or calm?
Regarding the options available to Iraq, Al-Jubouri and Al-Mana stressed that the government must move quickly to contain the situation through:
- Intensifying dialogues with political forces and armed factions.
- Strengthening diplomatic efforts with influential countries to ensure that Iraqi lands are not exploited.
- Building modern air defense systems to protect Iraqi sovereignty.
Adel Al-Manea indicated that Israel may begin with limited strikes on the factions’ headquarters, but it may expand if the Iraqi government is unable to impose full control over its territory.
Iraq is between the hammer of conflict and the anvil of recovery
While Baghdad seeks to avoid sliding into a spiral of escalation, the biggest challenge remains in achieving a balance between controlling armed factions and ensuring the protection of the country’s sovereignty.
