Iraq's ruling coalition rejects country being launchpad for attacks on neighbors

ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - Iraq’s ruling State Administration Coalition on Saturday rejected the use of Iraqi territory as a launchpad for attacks against neighboring countries, urging that the country not be dragged into the ongoing regional conflict.

In a statement, the coalition - which includes main Shiite, Sunni and Kurdish parties - said its members held intensive communications on Saturday to discuss the dangerous regional developments and their impact on Iraq’s security, economy, and people.

The coalition stressed the importance of keeping Iraq out of the escalating war between Iran on one side and US and Israel on the other. 

“While stressing the necessity of not being drawn into the ongoing conflict in the region, the coalition announced its rejection of Iraq becoming a battleground for settling scores or a launchpad for any aggression against its neighbors,” it added.

The coalition also condemned attacks targeting Iraq’s sovereignty and warned against actions that could deepen the conflict.

“The coalition strongly condemns all attacks that target Iraqi sovereignty and any attacks that cause innocent casualties and fuel the cycle of conflict,” the statement said, rejecting the use of Iraqi land, territorial waters, or airspace in any hostile acts and calling for those responsible to be held accountable.

It reaffirmed its support for Iraqi state institutions, particularly the armed forces, to take firm measures to protect the country’s borders and sovereignty.

The coalition also called for an immediate end to the war and a return to diplomacy.

It warned that continued violence would only bring “destruction and suffering to the peoples of the region and hinder prospects for stability and development.”