Iraq welcomes India-Pakistan ceasefire

ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - Iraq’s foreign ministry on Saturday welcomed the announcement of a ceasefire between India and Pakistan after days of boiling tensions between the nuclear-armed neighbors. 

“The Republic of Iraq welcomes the ceasefire decision between the Republic of India and the Republic of Pakistan, which is a positive initiative that reflects both parties’ commitment to dialogue and diplomacy as a means of resolving disputes,” the foreign ministry said in a statement. 

On Saturday, US President Donald Trump announced the ceasefire mediated by Washington. 

“I am pleased to announce that India and Pakistan have agreed to a FULL AND IMMEDIATE CEASEFIRE. Congratulations to both Countries on using Common Sense and Great Intelligence,” Trump said on his Truth Social platform. 

Baghdad called the truce a ‘wise step towards calming tensions in the region that paves the way for strengthening mutual trust and building bridges of understanding and rapprochement.” 

India and Pakistan have been engaged in a rapidly escalating military confrontation for weeks, their most significant clash in decades. It was sparked by a deadly attack on tourists in Indian-held Kashmir late last month. There are global appeals for the two nuclear-armed nations to de-escalate and avoid a full-fledged war.

On Saturday, Iraq recalled at least 500 soldiers receiving training in Pakistan due to the tensions with India, with Prime Minister Mohammed Shia’ al-Sudani saying the move was taken “out of concern for the safety of our heroic armed forces personnel.”