Iraqi president denounces deadly US-Saudi aggression on Hashd al-Sha’abi bases

Iraqi President Nizar Amedi has categorically denounced joint Saudi-US strikes on positions of Popular Mobilization Forces (PMU), commonly known as Hashd al-Sha’abi, across the country, which have killed at least 20 resistance fighters and wounded 32 others.

Amedi, in a strongly worded statement released on Tuesday, condemned the aerial assaults “as an unacceptable act, a flagrant violation of Iraqi sovereignty, and entirely contrary to international law and the United Nations Charter.”

“We reiterate our vehement opposition to the use of Iraqi soil or a military field to launch attacks against neighboring countries. We call on all parties to respect Iraq's sovereignty and refrain from any action that undermines its security and stability,” the Iraqi presidency said.

The statement further noted that dialogue is essential to the resolution of crises in a manner that preserves the security of the region, and keeps its nations away from further tensions.

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Hashd al-Sha’abi said its positions in the provinces of Baghdad, Wasit, Nineveh, Basra, Kirkuk, Karbala and Diyala were targeted early on Wednesday, causing material damage to the headquarters, vehicles and military equipment.

The anti-terror resistance force described the attacks as a “dangerous escalation,” a “violation of Iraq’s sovereignty” and an attack against the country’s official security institutions.

The PMU said specialized committees were continuing field operations to establish more accurate figures and information, saying that the number of those killed and wounded could rise.

Iraqi security council condemns US-Saudi attack, urges de-escalation
 
Meanwhile, Iraq’s National Security Council has held an emergency meeting with the commander-in-chief of the armed forces to discuss the US-Saudi attack. 

“The meeting affirmed the government’s firm stance and wholesale rejection of all hostile acts, irrespective of the responsible party or excuses offered. It emphasized that dealing with and confronting such aggression constitutes a primary responsibility of the Iraqi government,” the council said in a statement.

It also called for “the employment of diplomatic means in order to resolve disputes”, stating that “Iraq should steer away from regional conflicts”.

Former Iraqi prime minister Mohammed Shia’ al-Sudani also condemned the US-Saudi attacks targeting Hashd al-Sha’abi headquarters, warning of the consequences of violating Iraqi sovereignty.

“We condemn, in the strongest terms, the Saudi-US attack that targeted PMU headquarters in Iraq,” Sudani stated, emphasizing that “the attack represents a blatant violation of Iraq's sovereignty and a serious transgression against the principle of Muslim brotherhood, in addition to being a clear breach of international law and the UN Charter.”

The head of the Reconstruction and Development Coalition added, “While Iraq, through its official institutions, has declared its rejection of the use of its territory to attack neighboring countries, the timing of this attack raises many questions, especially since it came after the Iraqi government formed investigative committees to look into allegations of drones being launched from Iraqi territory towards Saudi oil facilities, in a move that reflected the Iraqi state's keenness to address issues through legal and institutional frameworks, not through military escalation.”

Sudani said Iraq retains all its legitimate rights guaranteed by international law, including what is stipulated in Article (51) of the Charter of the United Nations, in defending its sovereignty, land and people.

He said, “Any infringement on the security and stability of Iraq is something that cannot be accepted or tolerated.”

US, Saudi Arabia launch joint aggression against Iraqi resistance

The US and Saudi Arabia wage coordinated aerial aggression against several bases and weapons depots belonging to Iraq

Moreover, Secretary-General of the Badr Organization, Hadi al-Amiri, condemned on Wednesday the joint US-Saudi strikes on the headquarters of the Popular Mobilization Units, demanding that the Iraqi government take a firm and decisive stance regarding the infringement upon Iraq’s sovereignty.

“We condemn in the strongest terms the heinous and unjustified attack targeting Iraq's sovereignty and its armed forces, represented by the attack launched by Saudi forces, with US air support, on PMU positions in several locations across Iraq, resulting in the martyrdom of a number of PMU heroes and several wounded,” Amiri said in a statement.

He called on the Iraqi government to “take a firm and decisive stance against this violation of Iraq's sovereignty and the targeting of its heroic forces, which have played a fundamental role in achieving security and stability, and continue to pursue the remnants of the Daesh terrorist group.”

Amiri said the Iraqi nation was surprised by blatant aggression from a neighboring country to which Iraq has always extended a hand of brotherhood and cooperation, and has shown the utmost patience throughout difficult years.

“This is while terrorist groups were using the Saudi territory as a launching pad, and enjoyed support and facilities that contributed to sending thousands of bombers and car bombs and supporting the formation of terrorist gangs to shed the blood of the sons of the Iraqi people, in an attempt to prevent Iraq from enjoying security and stability,” the secretary-general of the Badr Organization stated.

Amiri said “the American role in supporting this brutal aggression places the United States before its legal and moral responsibilities. It would have been more appropriate for the US to adhere to the security agreement signed with Iraq, respect its sovereignty, and fulfill its obligations to protect its security and repel any aggression targeting its territory and military institutions.”

He highlighted that such hostile behavior necessitates a comprehensive reassessment of all relations and agreements concluded with the United States, foremost among them the security agreement, in a manner consistent with supreme national interests and that preserves Iraq's sovereignty and dignity.

Amiri said West Asia is currently at a critical juncture, which demands a unified Iraqi national stance to defend sovereignty and protect Iraqi lives.

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