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Iraq PM Warns US: Don't Use Our Territory for Regional Attacks

Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani has firmly told US Secretary of State Marco Rubio that Iraq's territory must not be used as a platform for military actions against neighboring countries. This diplomatic call comes amid a worsening regional security situation and repeated violations of Iraqi airspace. The tensions were immediately underscored by a claimed missile strike from Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps on a US military headquarters at Harir Air Base in northern Iraq. This attack on a key coalition hub marks a significant escalation, challenging Baghdad's efforts to maintain neutrality and sovereignty.

Key Points: Iraq PM al-Sudani to US: No Attacks from Iraqi Soil

  • Sudani warns US against using Iraq for attacks
  • IRGC strikes US base in Erbil with missiles
  • Iraq seeks neutrality in regional conflict
  • Strike targets key coalition air base
  • Baghdad condemns violations of its sovereignty
2 min read

"Iraq should not be used as a launch pad for attacks," PM al-Sudani tells US Secretary of State Rubio

Iraqi PM al-Sudani tells US Sec. State Rubio that Iraq must not be a launch pad for regional strikes, as IRGC targets US base in Erbil.

"the importance of ensuring that Iraqi airspace, territory, and waters are not used for any military action - PM's media office"

Baghdad, March 10

Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani has conveyed to US Secretary of State Marco Rubio that his nation must not serve as a conduit for regional hostilities, according to a report by Al Jazeera.

The diplomatic exchange occurred as the regional security situation worsened. Almost immediately following the outbreak of the conflict, the skies over Iraq were reportedly saturated with missiles and combat aircraft arriving from multiple trajectories.

During a telephonic discussion with Rubio, Sudani emphasised "the importance of ensuring that Iraqi airspace, territory, and waters are not used for any military action targeting neighbouring countries or the region", the PM's media office said.

As highlighted by Al Jazeera, the Prime Minister is seeking to insulate Iraq from the broadening violence. The government in Baghdad has remained firm in its stance against the unauthorised use of its sovereign boundaries by foreign military entities.

In his remarks to the US official, Sudani firmly rejected "any attempt to drag the country into ongoing conflicts", while also condemning further "violations of its airspace by any party".

However, despite these diplomatic efforts to maintain neutrality, the conflict has already breached Iraqi borders. The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) has claimed responsibility for a missile strike on a United States military installation in northern Iraq, according to reports from Al Jazeera.

In a formal statement, the IRGC's public relations office declared that it hit "the headquarters of the US Army at the Harir Air Base in Erbil, in Iraq's Kurdistan."

The military wing further specified the scale of the operation, noting that "five missiles were launched against the military site," the statement added.

As highlighted in the Al Jazeera report, this strike represents a significant escalation in the ongoing regional confrontation. The Harir Air Base serves as a vital hub for international coalition forces, making the targeting of the army headquarters a deliberate move against US command capabilities.

- ANI

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Reader Comments

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Priya S
It's a very difficult position for Iraq. On one hand they have to deal with US presence, on the other with Iranian influence. The PM is right to assert neutrality, but is it too late? The missile strike shows the conflict has already spilled over. Worrying for regional stability. 🇮🇳
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Aman W
As an Indian, I see parallels with how great powers often treat smaller nations. We must support Iraq's right to decide its own fate. No foreign power should violate airspace. This escalation is bad for everyone, including Indian diaspora and our energy security interests in the Gulf.
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Sarah B
While I agree with the principle of sovereignty, the report mentions the base is used by the international coalition. Isn't there a security agreement? The PM's statement feels like a diplomatic tightrope walk. The IRGC claiming the strike openly is a major provocation.
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Vikram M
This is why India's foreign policy of strategic autonomy and non-alignment is so wise. Getting dragged into other people's conflicts only brings ruin. Iraq has suffered enough. Hope diplomacy prevails, for the sake of the common people there. 🙏
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Karthik V
Respectfully, the Iraqi government's stance seems reactive rather than proactive. The violation happened *after* the call. They need to enforce their words with action on the ground. Strong diplomacy needs strong backing. Otherwise, these statements are just for the media.

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