Iraqi Military Spox: Iraq Will Not Be Drawn into Regional Conflicts, Has No Coordination with Iranian Advisers
Spokesperson Sabah al-Numan said the recent deployment of Syrian forces along the Iraqi-Syrian border was carried out at Baghdad's official request to close security gaps at several border crossings, strengthen border security, and prevent potential threats.
ERBIL (Kurdistan24) – Iraq has no coordination with Iranian military advisers and remains committed to a policy of neutrality, the spokesperson for the Commander-in-Chief of the Iraqi Armed Forces said on Friday, stressing that Baghdad will not be drawn into regional conflicts.
In a televised interview, spokesperson Sabah al-Numan said the recent deployment of Syrian forces along the Iraqi-Syrian border was carried out at Baghdad's official request to close security gaps at several border crossings, strengthen border security, and prevent potential threats.
Al-Numan said Prime Minister and Commander-in-Chief Ali al-Zaidi believes that economic growth depends on a stable security environment, emphasizing that decisions on war and peace are the exclusive responsibility of the Commander-in-Chief.
"No party will be allowed to impose its decisions on the Iraqi government," he said, reaffirming that Iraq's sovereignty remains paramount.
He also stressed that Iraq would neither allow its territory to be used as a launching point for attacks against neighboring countries nor permit it to become a target for such attacks. He warned that authorities would take strict legal action against anyone found planning or carrying out activities from Iraqi territory that threaten neighboring states.
Al-Numan further underscored the prime minister's rejection of political interference in security affairs, saying Iraq's security institutions must remain independent of political influence. He added that Iraq's borders with neighboring countries, particularly Syria and Jordan, are fully secured and that Baghdad will continue pursuing its policy of neutrality to preserve the country's security, stability, and sovereignty.
The remarks came a day after a source within Iraq's Joint Operations Command told Kurdistan24 that Prime Minister al-Zaidi had ordered Iraqi security and military forces to raise their security and combat readiness in response to intelligence indicating potential attacks by militia groups against Saudi and U.S. interests.
According to the source, intelligence suggested factions affiliated with the so-called "Resistance Front" were planning retaliatory attacks on Saudi interests following strikes last week targeting the Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF) and Resistance Front positions. The groups had reportedly announced they would respond after the Arba'in commemoration of Imam Hussein, prompting Iraqi authorities to place security forces nationwide on full alert.
Earlier, Iraq's Security Media Cell announced that, under the orders of the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, Iraqi forces had elevated their combat readiness and launched field exercises and military movements to enhance operational capabilities, reinforce security and stability, and prepare for any potential security developments.