Iraq’s Ministerial Council for National Security, chaired by Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi, announced “strict measures” to prevent any attacks from being launched from Iraqi territory against neighboring countries.
The announcement was made as the Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF) revealed plans to evacuate some of their headquarters and positions in anticipation of possible attacks should war break out in the region.
According to a statement from the prime minister’s office, al-Zaidi ordered the formation of a joint security committee to address emerging challenges and directed it to develop deterrent mechanisms to prevent any recurrence of attacks or other potential security breaches.
He ordered Iraqi security agencies to enforce the law, strengthen security and stability, and fulfill their responsibilities in safeguarding the country's sovereignty and maintaining good relations with neighboring states.
The council reaffirmed the armed forces’ readiness to thwart any attempt to target neighboring countries.
It also reiterated the government’s firm commitment not to allow Iraqi territory to be used as a launchpad or transit route for attacks against friendly and neighboring states, in line with its responsibility to protect national sovereignty and uphold the principles of good neighborliness and international law.
Government spokesman Haider Al-Aboudi told reporters on Sunday that “Iraq will not be part of the conflict in the region,” adding that the emergency security meeting had adopted clear measures to prevent any threats from being launched from Iraqi territory toward neighboring countries.
Al-Aboudi said al-Zaidi’s position remained unchanged and was grounded in constitutional principles. “The Iraqi state rejects allowing its territory to serve as a corridor for any aggression, just as it rejects interference by any other country in its internal affairs,” he stressed, adding that the government remained committed to respecting sovereignty and the principle of mutual non-interference.
The Iraqi armed forces were fully prepared to foil any operation that could threaten neighboring countries, he added, saying the necessary measures had been taken to prevent Iraqi territory from being used as a base for activities that could undermine regional security.
Separately, the PMF said Sunday that Nineveh Operations Command had issued “strict directives” ordering the complete evacuation of PMF headquarters and affiliated formations across the Nineveh province as a precaution against possible US airstrikes.
A PMF source told local media that the directives instructed personnel at sensitive sites to establish alternative locations and urgently redeploy forces there, while leaving only minimal security at the main facilities to minimize potential casualties in the event of an attack.
