ERBIL, Kurdistan Region of Iraq - The Iraqi government on Tuesday renewed its call on the international community to ramp up their efforts in bringing the “Zionist aggressions” in the region to an end while pledging to continue to provide humanitarian assistance to the people of Palestine and Lebanon.
"The Iraqi government affirms its continuation in supporting all international and regional efforts aimed at stopping the Zionist aggression against our people in Gaza and Lebanon,” read a statement from the Iraqi government on Tuesday, rebuking Iran-backed militia groups in Iraq which repeatedly threaten to drag Iraq into the war.
The government added: “The official positions of Iraq are expressed exclusively by the government, through its policies and steps based on the constitution and the democratic system."
Today’s statement from the Iraqi government comes one day after Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia’ al-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.
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.
Telegram
