Iraqi Government Condemns US-Saudi Strikes as ‘Flagrant Violation’ of Sovereignty

The latest development in the Middle East – joint Saudi-US strikes against Iran-backed groups in Iraq – has sparked a full-blown crisis over sovereignty. The National Security Council’s condemnation of the attacks, which killed at least 20 members of the Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF), as “a flagrant violation of Iraq’s sovereignty and the sanctity of its lands” sends a clear message: Baghdad will not tolerate any compromise on its security and territorial integrity.

The council’s statement echoes international law and the United Nations Charter, rebuking the US-Saudi coalition’s actions. Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi canceled his first official visit to Saudi Arabia in protest, highlighting the depth of Baghdad’s outrage. The attacks themselves are shrouded in controversy: while Saudi Arabia and the US claim they targeted groups responsible for drone attacks on American troops and Saudi energy infrastructure, the Islamic Resistance in Iraq has denied any role in these attacks.

The discrepancy raises questions about the true motives behind the strikes. Iraqi officials have consistently maintained that no party has provided credible evidence of attacks launched from its territory. The US-Saudi coalition now must substantiate their claims. Kataib Hezbollah’s ultimatum – giving the Iraqi government until August 6 to demonstrate its ability to defend sovereignty – underscores the deepening crisis.

Funerals were held in Mosul for PMF fighters killed in the strikes, a poignant reminder of the human cost of this conflict. Anger on the streets of Baghdad, with PMF supporters rallying and demanding the expulsion of the Saudi ambassador, is a clear indication that the situation is spiraling out of control.

The incident serves as a stark reminder of the ongoing proxy wars in the region, where external powers manipulate local actors to further their interests. The US-Saudi coalition’s actions are not just about countering Iranian influence but also about asserting their own dominance. The road ahead will be treacherous: any attempt by the Iraqi government to address the crisis through diplomatic means may be complicated by the entrenched positions of the US and Saudi Arabia.

The situation could escalate further, with potential consequences for regional stability and global security. Iraq’s sovereignty is at stake, and it will not go quietly into the night.