Sudani emphasized in a statement that since the events of October 7 last year “Zionist aggression against Gaza” has spread to Lebanon, threatening regional and global security.
“[W]e are on the brink of a perilous situation that could plunge the region and the world into prolonged conflicts, disrupt the global economy, and severely hinder development,” Sudani said, calling the region “the energy lifeline of the world.”
The Iraqi PM added that the leaders in “friendly and brotherly nations” need to work together to prevent the risk of the conflict expanding which affects “the security of both the region and the world.”
“Our government has worked hard to shield Iraq from the effects of this escalation, and we have succeeded in doing so with your cooperation and the collaboration of all our friends worldwide,” Sudani added.
The Iraqi premier cited the international community’s “failure” to contain Israel’s aggression, encouraging US President Joe Biden, the European Union “and all our friends” to fulfill their obligations.
Sudani acknowledged the “significant stance” of French President Emmanuel Macron who has called for the halting of arms to Israel and efforts to end the conflict.
“His position reflects a genuine understanding of the region's serious situation,” Sudani said.
Prime Minister @mohamedshia : Our government has worked tirelessly to shield Iraq from the consequences of this escalation, and we have succeeded in doing so in collaboration with our international partners. We need to intensify our efforts to halt the targeting of civilians and… pic.twitter.com/7yCO5sH2Wb
— المكتب الإعلامي لرئيس الوزراء 🇮🇶 (@IraqiPMO) October 6, 2024
On October 7, 2023, Palestinian Hamas militants launched a large-scale attack on Israeli territory that has prompted intensive and continued Israeli operations on the Gaza Strip.
In an unprecedented move on Tuesday, Iran launched around 180 rockets toward Israel. Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) said the attack was in response to killing Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah, Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh, and IRGC commander Abbas Nilforoushan. Israel has vowed a response for Tehran.
“This critical phase demands that we intensify our efforts and focus on stopping the targeting of civilians, sparing the region from the horrors of a war that would affect everyone. In such a conflict, there would be no winners, only destruction and devastation,” Sudani said in the statement.
More than 1.2 million Lebanese citizens have been displaced since the start of Israel’s conflict with Hezbollah in southern Lebanon, according to Lebanon’s caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati. Israel has intensified its ground operations and airstrikes in Lebanon since Tuesday.
Iraq has opened its doors to people fleeing Lebanon, expediting the entry visa process for its nationals. Additionally, Baghdad has provided humanitarian aid and support by land and air to Beirut, according to the Iraqi Red Crescent Society.
“Iraq reiterates its early position, in which it warned of the grave consequences of the occupying entity's efforts to widen the war and conflict, and the results of allowing [the] occupying entity to persist in committing crimes amid the international community's failure to fulfill its role,” Sudani said.
Iraq has received nearly 6,000 Lebanese refugees since the start of Israel’s recent escalated attacks, a spokesperson for the Iraqi interior ministry said on Saturday.
