BAGHDAD — The Iraqi government has issued a stern declaration stating that it will not permit its land or airspace to be utilized as a launching pad for military aggression against any other country. The announcement, released on Thursday, comes as Baghdad seeks to insulate itself from widening regional conflicts and maintain strict neutrality amidst escalating tensions in the Middle East.
The statement serves as a direct message to conflicting powers in the region, including Israel, Iran, and the United States, reinforcing Iraq’s sovereignty. Iraqi officials emphasized that the nation’s security forces have been instructed to monitor borders and airspace closely to prevent any unauthorized military activity. “Iraq refuses to be a battleground for proxy wars or a corridor for attacks that threaten the stability of our neighbors,” a government spokesperson said.
This declaration follows a series of diplomatic and security challenges for the administration of Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani. In recent months, Baghdad has faced pressure regarding the alleged use of its airspace for strikes between rival regional powers. By publicly drawing a red line, the Iraqi government aims to forestall retaliatory actions that could drag the recovering nation into a broader conflict.
Observers note that this policy is critical for Iraq’s delicate balancing act. The country maintains strategic defense ties with the United States while also sharing a long border and deep economic relations with Iran. Any perception that Iraq is complicit in attacks against Tehran or, conversely, allowing Iranian-aligned groups to target other nations from its soil, could destabilize the government’s standing.
National Security Adviser Qasim al-Araji has previously highlighted Baghdad’s commitment to border security agreements, particularly with Iran, to curb the movement of armed groups. Thursday’s statement broadens that scope, addressing fears that foreign air forces could violate Iraqi sovereignty to conduct long-range strikes.
Military analysts suggest that enforcing this ban presents significant logistical challenges for Iraq’s air defenses. However, the political weight of the statement places the onus on international actors to respect Baghdad’s neutrality or risk a diplomatic rupture. The government has also indicated it will lodge formal complaints with the United Nations Security Council should any violations occur.
The reaffirmation of this policy reflects the widespread sentiment among the Iraqi public and political factions, who are weary of decades of conflict and eager to focus on economic reconstruction and internal stability.
* kurdistan24.net
* thenewregion.com
* middleeastmonitor.com
* iraqinews.com
* southasianupdate.com
* aa.com.tr
