Kadhimi Confirms Iraq Seeks True Partnership With Germany

Iraqi Prime Minister Mustafa Al-Kadhimi and German Chancellor Angela Merkel during a joint press conference in Berlin | AP
Iraqi Prime Minister Mustafa Al-Kadhimi and German Chancellor Angela Merkel during a joint press conference in Berlin | AP
TT

Kadhimi Confirms Iraq Seeks True Partnership With Germany

Iraqi Prime Minister Mustafa Al-Kadhimi and German Chancellor Angela Merkel during a joint press conference in Berlin | AP
Iraqi Prime Minister Mustafa Al-Kadhimi and German Chancellor Angela Merkel during a joint press conference in Berlin | AP

Iraqi Prime Minister Mustafa Al-Kadhimi on Tuesday found great support in Berlin, the second leg of his visit to Europe. He had arrived in the German capital from Paris and will leave it to head to London.

German Chancellor Angela Merkel met with Kadhimi and pledged to continue to support Baghdad in its journey towards stability, security, and economic growth.

During a joint press statement with Kadhimi, Merkel welcomed his government's "will to reform."

She stressed the need for continued international support for preserving Iraq’s security and to face the challenges of an ISIS reemergence.

“ISIS remains a threat to the region and of course beyond," Merkel said, emphasizing that Germany would continue to support Iraq both within the framework of the anti-ISIS coalition and a NATO mission training Iraqi security forces.

Merkel also pledged to help Iraq during the coronavirus pandemic, offering to provide protective equipment and ventilators as well help training medical personnel.

She also said that Kadhimi's government was pursuing a "very ambitious agenda" on issues such as fighting corruption, the rule of law, and strengthening state institutions.

That "ambitious agenda" included the announcement of early elections for June 2021. "Through these measures, the Iraqi people's confidence in state institutions can be strengthened," she said.

For his part, Kadhimi said that Iraq looks forward to holding a true partnership with Germany. He also added that his visit to Berlin comes to reaffirm Iraq’s commitment to establishing close ties with Germany.

He added that his government was striving for increased cooperation with Germany in areas such as refugee policy and economic policy, particularly in the energy sector.

The prime minister confessed that Iraq is passing through hard times because of the coronavirus, but stressed that there is an ambitious program in action to restructure and build the Iraqi economy.



Iraq Preoccupied with Potential Broad Israeli Attack

Iraqi PM Mohammed Shi al-Sudani at an emergency national security council meeting. (Iraqi government)
Iraqi PM Mohammed Shi al-Sudani at an emergency national security council meeting. (Iraqi government)
TT

Iraq Preoccupied with Potential Broad Israeli Attack

Iraqi PM Mohammed Shi al-Sudani at an emergency national security council meeting. (Iraqi government)
Iraqi PM Mohammed Shi al-Sudani at an emergency national security council meeting. (Iraqi government)

Baghdad has been preoccupied this week with serious possibilities that Israel may expand its war on Gaza and Lebanon by striking several targets in Iraq in retaliation to attacks by Iran-backed armed factions.

Concern has been high that Israel may attack government buildings, oil fields and strategic locations, not just the positions of the armed factions that have previously launched attacks against Israel, said sources close to the pro-Iran ruling Coordination Framework.

Media sources have spoken of government speculation that Iraq could come under “300 Israeli attacks”.

The fears in Iraq have been compounded by an Israeli complaint to the United Nations Security Council against seven armed factions and holding Baghdad responsible for the attacks they have carried out against it.

This prompted the government, through the foreign ministry, to send an official letter to the Security Council, UN Secretary-General, Arab League and Organization of Islamic Cooperation in response to the Israeli threats.

The ministry said on Saturday that Iraq is “the cornerstone of stability in the region and world and it is one of the countries that are most committed to the UN Charter.”

“The Zionist entity’s letter to the Security Council is part of a systematic policy aimed at creating claims and excuses in an attempt to expand the conflict in the region.”

It said Iraq has turned to the Security Council out of Iraq’s keenness on the international body carrying out its duty in maintaining international peace and security and the need to rein in the “Zionist aggression in Gaza and Lebanon.”

Moreover, it stressed that Iraq has been keen on exercising restraint when it comes to the use of its airspace to attack a neighboring country.

Israel has used Iraqi airspace to launch attacks against Iran in October.

Iraq underscored the importance of the international community stepping in to “stop this hostile behavior that is a flagrant violation of international law.”

It called for international efforts to stop the Israeli escalation in the region and ensure that international laws and treaties are respected to consolidate security and stability.

Meanwhile, a source close to the Coordination Framework said the main Shiite parties are taking the Israeli threats “very seriously”, urging Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani's government to take “all the necessary measures to avert a potential Israeli strike.”

All leaders of armed factions, as well as Shiite leaders, have taken up alternative locations and are moving under great secrecy, confirming that they have changed the majority of their military positions, said the source.

It also dismissed claims that Israeli jets have overflown Iraq, saying nothing has been confirmed, but not ruling out the possibility, especially since US forces have control over Iraqi skies and Iraq is helpless against stopping these violations.

Iraq had submitted a formal complaint to the UN and Security Council over Israel’s use and violation of its airspace to attack Iran.

Analyst and former diplomat Ghazi Faisal said the pro-Iran armed factions have been gathering their forces in the Sinjar province, which is strategic for Iran’s arms deliveries and logistic support to Syria where attacks can be carried out against American forces and the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights.

Sinjar is one of the most important strategic bases for the Iranian Revolutionary Guards Corps, he added.

Furthermore, he noted that the armed factions insist on continuing the war against Israel, rejecting government calls for calm and neutrality.

The government’s statements are aimed at delivering a message that it “is not directly responsible for the strategy of these factions,” which follow Iran’s policies.

Iraq has repeatedly said that it refuses for its territory to be used to attack another country, but some observers believe that it may allow Iran to do so should Israel strike.