UAE condemns ‘terrorist attacks’ originating from Iraq, warns Baghdad of impact on ties

ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - Abu Dhabi has delivered a “strongly worded” letter of protest to Omar al-Obaidi, the chargé d'affaires at the Iraqi embassy, over “terrorist attacks” launched from Iraqi territory by Iran-aligned armed groups targeting facilities in Gulf Arab states, despite the ongoing two-week ceasefire between Iran, the United States, and Israel. The letter warns that the continuation of such attacks places ties with Baghdad “under highly sensitive strain.”

In a statement, the Emirati foreign ministry said it summoned Obaidi to convey the United Arab Emirates’ “strongest condemnation and denunciation” and its “absolute rejection of the continued heinous terrorist attacks launched from Iraqi territory,” carried out by “factions, militias, and terrorist armed groups loyal to the Islamic Republic of Iran,” despite the announcement of a ceasefire.

The ministry added that these attacks have targeted “vital facilities” in Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries - Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE - constituting “a flagrant violation of their sovereignty and airspace, and a clear breach of international law.”

The US and Israel launched a coordinated military campaign against Iran on February 28 that ended with a Pakistan-brokered two-week truce last week. US Central Command (CENTCOM) reported that during the war, its forces struck more than 13,000 targets across Iran, while Israel said it struck over 10,000 additional targets.

For its part, Tehran carried out thousands of drone and missile strikes across the Middle East, targeting alleged US assets - particularly in Gulf Arab states - as well as launching retaliatory attacks against Israel.

The Iranian response has also included strikes by factions aligned with the Iran-led ‘Axis of Resistance’, including by shadowy armed groups in Iraq that have carried out numerous attacks against alleged US targets in the country, including in the Kurdistan Region.

The Emirati foreign ministry’s protest note warned that the continuation of these attacks by Iran and its affiliated armed groups threatens regional stability and places existing relations with Iraq “under highly sensitive strain, negatively impacting [its] ongoing cooperation and fraternal relations” with GCC countries.

Abu Dhabi further urged the Iraqi government to commit to “preventing all hostile acts originating from its territory and directed at Gulf states and countries in the region,” stressing the necessity of addressing them “immediately and decisively,” and affirming the importance of Iraq’s efforts in “promoting security and stability in the region, in a way that preserves its sovereignty and strengthens its position as an active and responsible partner within its regional environment.”

During the six-week war, Iran launched at least 6,413 missiles and drones, with the majority of strikes directed at GCC states - primarily the UAE, Kuwait, and Saudi Arabia - resulting in significant damage to energy infrastructure, international airports, and civilian areas. Dozens of these attacks were claimed by Iraqi armed groups operating under the umbrella of the Islamic Resistance in Iraq (IRI) entity, alleging that they were targeting US bases and interests across the region.

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