Iraqi forces have chosen to avoid involvement in Israel’s conflicts with Hezbollah and Iran, prioritizing national stability and humanitarian efforts. Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani is actively engaging with leaders to prevent further escalation of the situation, emphasizing the potential risks of military involvement and maintaining a defensive posture to protect Iraqi interests against external aggression.
The Iraqi armed forces and political factions linked to Tehran have opted to refrain from involvement in the ongoing conflict between Israel, Hezbollah, and Iran. Their decision stems from the fear that participation in the escalating regional confrontations could jeopardize both Iraq’s stability and their own positions within the country. Iraqi officials and leaders of Iranian-backed military groups have indicated that they intend to concentrate on humanitarian efforts and providing aid to those affected by Israel’s actions in Lebanon. Furthermore, commanders have stressed that there will be no targeting of U.S. interests or military installations in Iraq or Syria for the time being. In recent months, retaliatory attacks against Israel have emerged from various factions, including Hezbollah and paramilitary groups in Iraq. Despite calls for more aggressive participation following Iran’s missile strikes on Israel, Iraqi officials maintain that involvement in such conflicts could lead to catastrophic outcomes for Iraq’s political and military landscape, potentially threatening the government’s stability. In light of the current situation, Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani has engaged in extensive discussions with political leaders and military commanders aligned with Iran, along with Western and Arab leaders. These conversations focused on the implications of Iraq’s potential involvement in the conflict, with Sudani advocating for a cessation of hostilities and efforts to mitigate the conflict’s impact on the region. Sudani has been actively attempting to eliminate any Israeli pretext for striking Iraq. While there are concerns regarding potential Israeli attacks on Iraqi territories, particularly against groups within the Popular Mobilization Forces, Sudani and military officials continue to express a commitment to maintaining a defensive stance against any foreign aggressions. Paramilitary groups within Iraq have reaffirmed their stance, indicating that U.S. military interests will not be targeted unless they assist in attacks against Iran. Commanders issued statements emphasizing the critical nature of the current environment and the need for restraint among their ranks to prevent any miscalculation or escalating conflict. In preparation, a readiness alert has been declared across all military forces, and senior commanders are all encouraged to minimize their public presence. The leadership within the Popular Mobilization Forces has agreed to take precautionary measures to protect their personnel and remain disengaged from the escalating regional tensions, stressing the importance of adhering strictly to directives that prioritize Iraq’s national interests over foreign conflicts.
The decision of Iraqi forces to remain disengaged from the Israeli conflicts with Hezbollah and Iran is primarily motivated by the imperative of national stability. With increasing military confrontations in the Middle East, notably after Iran’s missile strikes on Israel and Israel’s retaliatory actions in Lebanon, Iraqi officials are wary of the consequences of involvement. The landscape in Iraq remains fragile, and there is a unanimous recognition among political and military leaders that any action could escalate instability, threaten Iraq’s government, and further complicate regional dynamics. The leaders’ focus has shifted toward domestic humanitarian efforts and the welfare of civilians impacted by the conflict, rather than engaging in external military operations.
In conclusion, Iraqi officials and armed factions have collectively decided to distance themselves from the ongoing conflicts between Israel, Hezbollah, and Iran, prioritizing humanitarian assistance and maintaining stability within Iraq. The significant risk posed by potential involvement in such conflicts underscores Iraq’s precarious political, economic, and military situation. Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani’s diplomatic efforts underscore a commitment to depriving Israel of reasons to act against Iraq while ensuring that Iraqi forces remain on high alert without escalating tensions further. Ultimately, the prevailing sentiment is one of caution and restraint, aiming to safeguard Iraq’s sovereignty in the face of external pressures from regional conflicts.
Original Source: www.middleeasteye.net
