Iraqi Speaker Rejects Use of Iraqi Territory for Attacks on Neighbors
At a Glance:
- Iraqi Parliament Speaker Haibat a-Halbousi held a official telephone call with Saudi Shura Council Speaker Abdullah bin Muhammad Al-Sheikh to condemn recent airstrikes targeting Saudi Arabia.
- Al-Halbousi affirmed that Iraq will not allow its land or sovereign airspace to serve as a launchpad for aggression against Arab nations or neighboring states.
- Riyadh expressed strong support for Baghdad's stance, reiterating the strategic importance of Saudi-Iraqi diplomatic and security ties.
- Both parliamentary leaders reviewed bilateral cooperation frameworks alongside broader security escalations across the Middle East.
Speaker of the Iraqi Council of Representatives Haibat al-Halbousi strongly condemned recent airstrikes targeting Saudi Arabia during an official telephone call with Abdullah bin Muhammad Al-Sheikh, Speaker of the Saudi Shura Council. Al-Halbousi emphasized that Baghdad strictly rejects the exploitation of Iraqi land or airspace by non-state actors to conduct military operations against neighboring Arab nations, citing the move as a violation of Iraq's established foreign policy.
Key Statements and Focus Area:
- Haibat al-Halbousi (Speaker of the Iraqi Council of Representatives):
"The attacks launched against Saudi Arabia contradict Iraq's foreign policy and its established relations with neighboring and friendly states. Iraq will not permit its territory or airspace to be used for launching attacks against neighboring nations." - Abdullah bin Muhammad Al-Sheikh (Speaker of the Saudi Shura Council):
"Saudi Arabia respects Iraq's firm stance in rejecting any threat that compromises the security and stability of the Kingdom. We remain committed to strengthening our friendly bilateral relations."
Overview of Iraqi Diplomatic Stance and Regional Security Commitments
| Policy Dimension | Official Position / Outcome | Operational & Diplomatic Impact |
| Territorial Sovereignty | Rejection of airspace/territorial misuse | Prohibits armed groups from deploying cross-border strike assets. |
| Bilateral Bilateral Relations | Strong alignment with Saudi Arabia | Reinforces economic, security, and diplomatic bridges with Riyadh. |
| Regional Conflict Position | Positive neutrality and non-aggression | Protects Iraqi infrastructure from retaliatory regional strikes. |
| Parliamentary Coordination | Joint dialogue with Saudi Shura Council | Maintains institutional communications amidst regional escalations. |
Safeguarding Iraqi Sovereignty and Airspace
The press statement from the Iraqi Parliamentary Media Office comes amid heightened regional conflict and cross-border drone and missile strikes involving various proxy factions. By explicitly barring Iraqi airspace and geography from being used in offensive operations against Saudi targets, Speaker Halbousi aims to insulate Iraq from wider regional warfare and prevent foreign retaliatory actions within Iraqi borders.
Strengthening Baghdad-Riyadh Strategic Ties
In response, Saudi Shura Council Speaker Abdullah bin Muhammad Al-Sheikh welcomed Baghdad's diplomatic messaging, noting that Saudi Arabia values Iraq's consistent refusal to allow its soil to threaten the Kingdom’s national security. Both legislative leaders agreed to expand communication channels and coordinate bilateral efforts to de-escalate tensions along shared Gulf borders.
FYI
Haibat al-Halbousi’s public condemnation of cross-border strikes aligns with Baghdad's broader diplomatic push to present Iraq as a bridge for regional stability rather than an arena for foreign conflict. Reaffirming these commitments directly to Riyadh helps protect vital Iraqi-Saudi economic partnerships while placing political pressure on local armed groups attempting to draw Iraq into external regional confrontations.
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