Remarks by Iraqi National Security Adviser Qasim al-Aboudi that “Ukrainian cells” had carried out attacks inside Iraq have sparked controversy and speculation over the groups’ nature and objectives.
The comments raised questions over whether the allegations were linked to pressure on Iraqi authorities over attacks by armed factions inside the country and against Gulf states, or to tensions between Tehran and Kyiv after Ukraine targeted an Iranian merchant vessel in the Caspian Sea.
“We have an intelligence unit tasked with analyzing information, and it concluded that there is Ukrainian interference in Iraq,” al-Aboudi said in a televised interview broadcast on Monday evening.
“We arrested a small number of groups that carried out strikes inside Iraqi territory and targeted several installations. During questioning, they admitted that they were working for Ukraine,” he added.
Al-Aboudi did not identify the installations or say whether they were linked to US or Iraqi interests. He referred to “limited strikes carried out by cells affiliated with Ukraine.”
He said the issue was complex and required extensive investigation before any party could be accused.
The remarks came about a month after Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi appointed al-Aboudi national security adviser, replacing Qasim al-Araji. Both are close to, or affiliated with, the Badr Organization led by Hadi al-Amiri.
No senior security official had previously made such accusations against Ukraine, prompting questions and ridicule on social media. Some commentators said al-Aboudi may have compromised security procedures by disclosing the information before investigations and judicial measures were completed.
Others said the remarks failed to observe diplomatic and intelligence protocols with Ukraine and could embarrass the Iraqi state.
Ukraine’s Foreign Ministry rejected the allegations in a statement on Tuesday, saying there were no facts or evidence to support them.
It said Iraqi authorities had not raised any related information or concerns through diplomatic channels before the public remarks.
“Had these allegations had any basis, it would have been natural to raise them through official channels,” the ministry said, adding that Ukraine learned of them through a live television broadcast.
It called the comments by a senior official in a friendly country unacceptable and irresponsible, saying they contradicted the principles of mutual respect and harmed Ukrainian-Iraqi relations.
The ministry said the remarks aligned with Russian propaganda aimed at discrediting Ukraine and undermining its relations with Middle Eastern countries.
It said the comments could have resulted from outside media influence or formed part of a coordinated information and psychological operation aimed at destabilizing relations between Ukraine and Iraq.
The ministry urged Iraqi authorities to prevent state institutions from being used to promote misinformation serving third-party interests.
Former National Security Adviser Qasim al-Araji had previously met the Ukrainian ambassador in Baghdad to discuss reports that some young Iraqis had volunteered to fight in the war with Russia. The ambassador repeatedly denied that Iraqis were fighting alongside Ukraine.
