Iraqi Govt to Factions: We Are Not Concerned with Israeli-Iranian War

Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani holds a meeting with leaders of the Coordination Framework coalition in Baghdad. (X)
Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani holds a meeting with leaders of the Coordination Framework coalition in Baghdad. (X)
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Iraqi Govt to Factions: We Are Not Concerned with Israeli-Iranian War

Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani holds a meeting with leaders of the Coordination Framework coalition in Baghdad. (X)
Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani holds a meeting with leaders of the Coordination Framework coalition in Baghdad. (X)

Aside from a complaint to the United Nation Security Council against Israel over its violations of Iraq’s airspace, the Baghdad government is acting cautiously as it seeks to avoid become dragged into the conflict between Israel and neighboring Iran.

The authorities in Baghdad and the Iran-backed Coordination Framework realize the dangerous consequences of any action by the Iran-aligned armed factions.

Sources said the government and its allies have taken a “firm decision” to avoid any repercussions from the war and that no one should intervene in it “in any way, shape or form.”

The sources told Asharq Al-Awsat that Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani held intense contacts with the heads of Shiite parties and factions to deliver one main message: “We are not concerned with taking part in this war.”

Even though they have not acted yet, the pro-Iran factions have stressed that they will not allow Israel to “exploit its position to wipe out their camps and the Popular Mobilization Forces.”

And yet, the factions are aware that their participation in the war will not “yield the desired strategic impact.”

Spokesman for the Kataib Sayyid al-Shuhada faction Sheikh Kazem al-Fartousi told Asharq Al-Awsat that the “means at the factions’ disposal are not enough to change the course of the battle where all sorts of deadly missiles, technology and military equipment are being used.”

“The Iraqi authorities have not taken enough measures against the United States, which is backing Israel, and it appears to be helpless in doing anything to protect Iraq’s sovereignty,” he added.

Furthermore, he denied claims that booby-trapped drones had been launched from near the Iraqi-Iranian border. He also denied knowing anything about operations carried out by the armed factions against Israel from Iraqi territory.

They would usually announce their responsibility for such operations, he explained.

Sources said the drones were fired from Iranian military camps located inside Iraq territory near the border.

They added that the Iranians “have not yet decided whether to attack American bases in the region, but there is speculation that they have already prepared a list of targets that they will hit with an unprecedented missile barrage. The bases include Ain al-Assad and Harir in Iraq and bases in eastern Syria.”

A senior Iraqi official, however, said Baghdad had requested from Tehran that it refrain from attacking American interests in Iraq.

The Iranians said they were understanding of the request.

Researcher Nizar Haidar said the Iraqi PM had exerted extraordinary efforts with political leaders from the Coordination Framework to persuade the factions to hold back from attacking American interests.



US Targets Houthis with Fresh Sanctions Action

Houthi members ride a pick-up truck while on patrol amid tensions with Israel, in Sanaa, Yemen, 18 July 2025. (EPA)
Houthi members ride a pick-up truck while on patrol amid tensions with Israel, in Sanaa, Yemen, 18 July 2025. (EPA)
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US Targets Houthis with Fresh Sanctions Action

Houthi members ride a pick-up truck while on patrol amid tensions with Israel, in Sanaa, Yemen, 18 July 2025. (EPA)
Houthi members ride a pick-up truck while on patrol amid tensions with Israel, in Sanaa, Yemen, 18 July 2025. (EPA)

The United States on Tuesday imposed sanctions on what it said was a Houthi-linked petroleum smuggling and sanctions evasion network across Yemen and the United Arab Emirates in fresh action targeting the Iran-backed militant group.

The US Treasury Department in a statement said the two individuals and five entities sanctioned on Tuesday were among the most significant importers of petroleum products and money launderers that benefit the Houthis.

"The Houthis collaborate with opportunistic businessmen to reap enormous profits from the importation of petroleum products and to enable the group’s access to the international financial system," said Deputy Secretary of the Treasury Michael Faulkender.

"These networks of shady businesses underpin the Houthis’ terrorist machine, and Treasury will use all tools at its disposal to disrupt these schemes."

Among those targeted on Tuesday was Muhammad Al-Sunaydar, who the Treasury said manages a network of petroleum companies between Yemen and the United Arab Emirates and was one of the most prominent petroleum importers in Yemen.

Three companies in his network were also designated, with the Treasury saying they coordinated the delivery of approximately $12 million dollars’ worth of Iranian petroleum products with a US-designated company to the Houthis.

Since Israel's war in Gaza against the Palestinian group Hamas began in October 2023, the Iran-aligned Houthis have been attacking vessels in the Red Sea in what they say are acts of solidarity with the Palestinians.

In January, Trump re-designated the Houthi movement as a foreign terrorist organization, aiming to impose harsher economic penalties in response to its attacks on commercial shipping in the Red Sea and against US warships defending the critical maritime area.

In May, the United States announced a surprise deal with the Houthis where it agreed to stop a bombing campaign against them in return for an end to shipping attacks, though the Houthis said the deal did not include sparing Israel.

The Israeli military attacked Houthi targets in Yemen's Hodeidah port on Monday in its latest assault on the militants, who have been striking ships bound for Israel and launching missiles against it.