Iraqi PM slams Israel's UN letter as a pretext for aggression

Shafaq News/ On Tuesday, Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia Al-Sudani dismissed Israel's letter to the United Nations Security Council as a "pretext" for aggression against Iraq.

Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar, in the letter, held the Iraqi government responsible for "everything happening on its territory," emphasizing that Tel Aviv has the right to "self-defense."

"The message sent by the Zionist entity [Israel] to the UN Security Council represents a pretext and justification for aggression against Iraq," Al-Sudani said during a regular cabinet session, accusing Israel of seeking to expand the war in the region.

Al-Sudani reiterated Iraq's rejection of these threats, pointing out that "decisions of war and peace are the prerogatives of the Iraqi state alone, and no external party has the right to usurp this authority." He emphasized Iraq's commitment to ending conflicts and providing humanitarian aid to the Palestinian and Lebanese peoples.

The Prime Minister also directed the National Security Council to hold an emergency meeting to monitor developments and reaffirm Iraq's stance.

Earlier today, Sabhan Al-Mulla Jiyad, Al-Sudani's political advisor accused Israel ofseeking to exploit the concept of “Unity of Fronts” to justify potential military aggression.

The "Unity of Fronts" refers to the pro-Iranian Axis of Resistance strategy uniting allied groups across Iraq, Lebanon, Syria, Yemen, and Palestine to confront shared adversaries like Israel and the United States.

Jiyad revealed to Shafaq News that "Considering that Iraq's air defense is not adequate to confront such a threat, the Coalition will be tasked with protecting the airspace in anticipation of any emergency.

Since October 7, 2023, the Iraqi Islamic Resistance (IRI), an umbrella organization encompassing all Iran-backed Iraqi armed groups including Kataib Hezbollah, Harakat Hezbollah al-Nujaba, and Kataib Sayyid al-Shuhada, has ramped up its support for the Palestinian resistance in Gaza, intensifying military actions against Israel, with strikes escalating as Israel’s offensive against Lebanon unfolded.