Baghdad, the capital, hosted a high-level meeting today, Thursday, bringing together the leaders of Iraq's four presidencies to discuss the rapidly escalating security developments in the country and the region. The meeting was attended by President Abdul Latif Rashid, Prime Minister Mohammed Shia' Al-Sudani, Parliament Speaker Mohammed Al-Halbousi, and the Head of the Supreme Judicial Council, Faiq Zidan.
In an official statement, the attendees expressed a unified stance unequivocally rejecting the use of Iraqi territory as a launching pad for aggression against any neighboring countries or threatening their security and stability. The leaders emphasized that Iraq seeks to distance itself from regional conflicts, while affirming the necessity of respecting Iraqi sovereignty and halting attacks targeting cities and governorates.
The meeting thoroughly reviewed the latest developments in the political and security arenas and discussed the direct implications of international tensions on the internal situation in the country. The leaders discussed the governmental mechanisms in place to prevent Iraq from being drawn into external conflicts that could destabilize the region and affect the safety of its citizens.
The presidencies affirmed their full support for the measures taken by the federal government to impose security and stability and protect the country's sovereignty from any violations. The attendees also reiterated the Iraqi state's commitment to protecting the security of diplomatic missions and international headquarters operating in the country, and ensuring the safety of their personnel from any potential threats.
This political move comes amid a recent military escalation in the region, where Tehran announced missile strikes targeting what it described as headquarters of opposing Kurdish groups within the Kurdistan Region. Sources reported that the Iranian shelling came under the pretext of thwarting infiltration operations planned by separatist groups across Iran's western borders.
For their part, the Iraqi presidencies considered the attacks on the Kurdistan Region and other areas a blatant violation of Iraqi national sovereignty. The leaders called for an immediate halt to all military operations in the region, emphasizing the need to respect the independence of states and not interfere in their internal affairs under any pretext.
The attendees called on the international community to take urgent and effective action to prevent the expansion of the conflict in the Middle East, warning of catastrophic consequences if the escalation continues. The statement indicated that diplomatic solutions and negotiation paths are the only way to spare peoples the scourges of wars and armed conflicts.
The region has witnessed severe military tension since late February, with international powers launching attacks on targets in Iran, resulting in hundreds of casualties, including high-ranking leaders. These confrontations have directly impacted the Iraqi arena, which has become a stage for the exchange of military and political messages between the warring parties.
In a related context, Tehran responded by launching a barrage of missiles and drones towards various targets, leading to significant human and material losses. The attacks included targeting interests and military bases in Arab countries, which raised widespread international concern about the situation spiraling out of control and turning into a comprehensive regional war.
The Iranian Revolutionary Guard confirmed in official statements its targeting of bases belonging to Kurdish groups in northern Iraq, accusing them of working against the Iranian regime. In contrast, media sources denied the accuracy of reports that armed groups had crossed the Iraqi border into Iranian territory to carry out combat operations.
The city of Erbil, the capital of the Kurdistan Region, has been subjected to a series of attacks targeting vital facilities, including Erbil International Airport, which hosts a base for international coalition forces. The attacks also targeted the vicinity of the American consulate, causing damage to civilian properties and residential buildings, creating a state of panic among the local population.
Observers believe that the meeting of the four presidencies represents a serious attempt to formulate a unified national stance to confront the increasing external pressures on Baghdad. Through these diplomatic moves, Iraq seeks to affirm its role as an element of stability in the region, away from the policy of axes that could harm its supreme national interests.
In conclusion, the Iraqi leaders stressed that protecting sovereignty is not just a slogan, but a practice that requires the solidarity of all political forces to support state institutions. They affirmed that Iraq will not allow itself to be an arena for settling scores and will work with international partners to ensure de-escalation and a return to the logic of dialogue and international law.
Resorting to the negotiation path and diplomatic solutions is the optimal way to spare the region the dangerous repercussions of conflict at both regional and international levels.
شارك برأيك
Iraq's Presidencies Affirm Rejection of Turning the Country into an Arena for Regional Conflicts