Zebari Warns Iraq ‘On Verge of Exploding’

ERBIL (Kurdistan24) — In a stark and urgent warning that portrays a nation teetering on the brink of catastrophic instability, veteran Kurdish statesman and former Iraqi Foreign Minister Hoshyar Zebari has declared that the situation in Iraq is "on the verge of exploding," directly attributing the perilous state of affairs to a systematic and escalating campaign of drone attacks orchestrated by armed militia groups operating from within Iraqi territory.

Speaking in a special and extensive interview with the Iraqi Al-Sumaria channel, Zebari, a prominent member of the Kurdistan Democratic Party's (KDP) Politburo executive committee, provided a detailed and damning assessment of the security crisis, accusing specific factions of waging an economic and psychological war against the Kurdistan Region with the explicit aim of destabilizing its economy and undermining its international partnerships.

During the comprehensive interview, Zebari characterized the repeated aerial assaults against the Kurdistan Region’s vital infrastructure as nothing less than "hostile attacks." He methodically detailed the scope and origin of the threat, stating with conviction, "The attacks were carried out with drones from within Iraqi territory."

The former minister elaborated on the widespread nature of the campaign, noting that the assailants have targeted a range of locations across the region. "They have targeted several areas; they targeted Sulaimani province, as well as Kirkuk airport, Erbil airport, and oil fields," he explained. Zebari was firm in his assertion that these were not random or untraceable incidents.

He revealed that a collaborative investigative effort has been underway, involving the Kurdistan Region's own security and intelligence institutions working in close partnership with the Iraqi federal government, Coalition forces, and the United States. According to his account to Al-Sumaria, these joint investigations have yielded clear results. "It was revealed that the drones and the attacks were directed at the Kurdistan Region from areas under the control of the Hashd al-Shaabi (Popular Mobilization Forces), including the Nineveh Plains, the Rashad area of Kirkuk, and several other regions," he stated.

Further substantiating these grave accusations, Zebari pointed to the brazen presence of the responsible groups within the nation's capital, noting that "these groups have their headquarters next to the Iraqi army's headquarters in Baghdad's Green Zone." This proximity, he implied, speaks to a level of impunity and integration within the state's security landscape that makes the attacks particularly alarming.

He described the perpetrators not as rogue elements but as "several groups conducting organized attacks on the Kurdistan Region."

The strategic objective behind this relentless campaign, according to Zebari’s analysis, is multifaceted and malicious. The primary goal, he articulated, is "instilling fear in the oil production companies to make them withdraw from their work in the Kurdistan Region." He framed this as a direct assault on the economic lifeline of Kurdistan and, by extension, a strategic attack on Western interests.

"This is an attack on America's interests, not just the interests of the Kurdistan Region," Zebari emphasized, "because the oil production companies in Kurdistan are close to American decision-making centers." He warned that such actions would inevitably provoke a response, stating, "Therefore, these attacks will have negative repercussions. It may not be immediate, but there will be a thorough follow-up."

While laying out the findings of the investigations, Zebari was careful to note a degree of diplomatic patience, stating, "In our statements, we have not specifically accused anyone of the attacks; we are waiting for the results of the investigations." However, he provided startling statistics to illustrate the intensity of the drone war, revealing to Al-Sumaria that "last month alone, these groups carried out 14 drone attacks on Kurdistan."

He also exposed the culprits' tactical sophistication and their attempts to obstruct justice. "They have tried to change the type of drones used to create confusion in the investigations, but we have all the information," he asserted, signaling confidence in the intelligence gathered by Kurdish and allied authorities while underscoring that they are awaiting the official conclusions from Baghdad.

Zebari interpreted the persistent attacks as a defiant message from the militias, a way for them "to say, 'We are still here.'" He openly acknowledged the close security alliance between Erbil and its international partners, which these groups seek to challenge.

"There is high-level coordination between us and the Coalition; they are our friends, and we are not ashamed of that," he declared. "We exchange intelligence information with each other regarding threats to our security and theirs." He referenced a specific incident where this alliance proved critical, noting that "Americans were targeted at Erbil airport, but they shot the drones down before they reached their targets."

With this context, he issued his most dire warning, framing the militias' actions as profoundly reckless. "What these groups are doing is playing with fire in a complex and sensitive situation where the region is engulfed in flames," he said. "The confrontations have not ended, and the signs of the situation exploding are present at any moment."

A significant portion of Zebari’s critique was directed at the perceived inaction and lack of resolve within the federal government in Baghdad. He stressed that the Iraqi government possesses the full capacity to halt these aggressions, stating that it "has all the necessary security institutions and the ability to control these groups and their attacks."

He cautioned, however, that "if it shows leniency regarding these incidents, there could be negative repercussions." Zebari expressed deep frustration with the official response from Baghdad, describing a bureaucratic process designed to delay rather than deliver justice. "We are in contact with Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani, his office, the general command, the federal Ministry of Interior, and the Ministry of Defense regarding the results of the investigations, but we do not see any seriousness in the investigations," he lamented. "They just keep forming committee after committee and investigation team, and nothing ever comes of it."

This domestic paralysis, Zebari revealed, is now eliciting a hardening stance from the United States. He disclosed the details of a direct and unambiguous communication from US Secretary of State Marco Rubio to Prime Minister al-Sudani. The message, he said, "was in written form so that it could not be reinterpreted," and it clearly "indicated that America does not support passing the Hashd al-Shaabi law in parliament."

Zebari reported that the federal government attempted to deflect this pressure by arguing that Iraq’s internal political climate ahead of elections made such a move impossible, a justification he bluntly dismissed as "just killing time." It is this perceived prevarication from Baghdad, he argued, that is precipitating a significant shift in US policy.

"For this reason, it is seen that America's tone with Iraq is changing and escalating into threats and sanctions, along with an end to security, military, and financial cooperation," he warned. "They are also specifically naming individuals and parties. Their positions on this matter are clear."