Iraqi Presidency Denounces Strikes on PMF as Sovereignty Breach

The logo of the Iraqi Presidency
The logo of the Iraqi Presidency

At a Glance

  • Presidency strongly condemns strikes on official Popular Mobilization Forces headquarters.
  • Denounces bombardments as flagrant violations of international law and UN Charter.
  • Reaffirms policy prohibiting Iraqi territory from being used for regional proxy attacks.
  • Urgent call issued to all international parties to prioritize diplomatic dialogue over military escalation.

The Presidency of the Republic of Iraq has issued a stern statement condemning the military bombardments targeting Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF) facilities across the country.

Denouncing the attacks as an unacceptable infringement on state sovereignty, the presidency emphasized that targeting official national security institutions violates international law, while firmly reiterating that Iraqi land must not be transformed into an arena for settling regional or international scores.


Key Statements and Focus Area

  • On Breach of Sovereignty: Firmly rejecting the strikes, the Presidency stated that it "considers this a rejected attack, a flagrant violation of Iraq's sovereignty, and a targeting of its official security institutions in contradiction with the rules of international law and the UN Charter".
  • On Neutrality and Regional Scores: Reaffirming Iraq's stance against proxy warfare, the statement emphasized "our firm position rejecting the use of Iraqi land as a launching pad or an arena to attack neighboring countries or settle regional and international scores".
  • On Diplomatic Resolution: Calling for immediate de-escalation, the statement stressed "the necessity of prioritizing dialogue to address crises in a manner that preserves regional security and spares its peoples further escalation".

Official Condemnation of Multi-Site Bombardments

In an official statement issued on Wednesday, July 29, 2026, the Iraqi Presidency formally denounced the airstrikes carried out against PMF bases in multiple locations. The executive office highlighted the loss of life and injuries suffered by official security personnel, characterizing the operations as an illegal assault on state institutions operating under Iraqi legal frameworks.

Reaffirmation of Non-Interference and Border Integrity

Addressing broader geopolitical tensions, the Presidency underscored Iraq's dedication to good-neighborly relations and non-interference in foreign internal affairs. The statement stressed that while Baghdad vigorously rejects foreign aggression within its borders, it remains equally committed to ensuring that Iraqi territory is not utilized by internal or regional actors as a staging ground for external attacks.

Urgent Call for De-Escalation

Concluding its address, the Presidency called upon all international and regional entities to respect Iraq’s territorial integrity and cease actions that compromise national security. Executive leadership stressed that constructive political dialogue, rather than military violence, remains the sole viable pathway to mitigate escalating regional crises.

FYI

The Presidency's swift response reflects Baghdad's difficult position following targeted air operations against official state security elements. By asserting that the PMF represents an official security institution while simultaneously insisting that Iraq will not serve as a launchpad for regional hostilities, the executive leadership is attempting to uphold domestic state legitimacy while warding off broader international military entanglements.

This diplomatic response follows the early-morning wave of airstrikes targeting PMF bases across seven Iraqi governorates including Baghdad, Basra, and Nineveh, which resulted in at least 20 casualties. The Iraqi government has consistently attempted to maintain a delicate balance between fulfilling its sovereign security mandates and preventing foreign actors from engaging in kinetic operations on Iraqi soil.