DUBAI, UAE - As the world witnesses the first anniversary of the October 7 Hamas attack on Israel, Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia' al-Sudani reiterated Iraq’s warning about the dangers of the continued “Zionist aggression” on Gaza and its spread to Lebanon, emphasizing that the escalating war threatens the entire region. 

In a statement issued Sunday, Sudani directed a message to international allies, including US President Joe Biden and the European Union, warning that the Middle East is on the verge of a dangerous slide that could lead to continuous wars, destabilize the global economy, and significantly hinder development.

"We stand at the brink of a dangerous slide that could drag the region and the world into continuous wars, shake the global economy, and cause a major setback in development," Sudani said, highlighting the Middle East’s vital role as the world's energy supplier.

Sudani commended French President Emmanuel Macron for his recent call to halt arms shipments to the “occupying entity” and for advocating an end to the war, describing Macron’s stance as reflective of a genuine understanding of the gravity of the situation.

Iraq has so far managed to shield itself from the direct effects of the conflict. Sudani credited this success to cooperation with international partners but stressed the need for continued diplomatic efforts to prevent further deterioration and called for the protection of civilians.

“The current phase requires us to redouble our efforts, prioritizing the cessation of attacks on civilians and saving the region from the evils of a war that leaves nothing behind,” he said. “There will be no winners in such a war, only the logic of killing, destruction, and devastation.”

Sudani reaffirmed Iraq’s commitment to working with other nations to promote de-escalation and ensure regional security, emphasizing that a broader war could have dire consequences not only for the Middle East but for global stability.

On October 7, 2023, Hamas launched a surprise and unprecedented attack on Israel.

In response, Israel launched a full-scale military aggression against Gaza, resulting in the destruction of approximately 90 percent of the territory, according to reports. 

The Israeli military has also expanded its operations to Lebanon, carrying out heavy attacks that have targeted civilian areas, leading to significant casualties and widespread destruction.

Tensions between Israel and Iran have also sharply escalated during this period. The situation reached a boiling point when Israel reportedly carried out targeted assassinations of senior pro-Iran leaders, including Ismail Haniyeh, the head of Hamas’ political bureau, in Iran, and Hassan Nasrallah, the leader of the Lebanese Hezbollah, in Beirut. 

These high-profile killings have intensified hostilities between Israel and Iran, which recently resulted in retaliation attack on Israel by Iran, as well as with Hezbollah, adding another volatile layer to the already explosive war in the region.