Iraq files complaint over Israels use of its airspace to attack Iran

Iraq files complaint over Israel's use of its airspace to attack Iran

Tehran - Following Israel’s encroachment upon Iraqi sovereignty to attack Iran, Baghdad has condemned the regime’s use of its airspace to attack neighboring Iran in a protest letter sent to United Nations chief Antonio Guterres and the UN Security Council.

Iraqi government spokesman Basim al-Awadi said in a statement on Monday that the letter condemns “the Zionist entity’s blatant violation of Iraq’s airspace and sovereignty by using Iraqi airspace to carry out an attack on the Islamic Republic of Iran on October 26.”

Al-Awadi noted that Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia' al-Sudani has also instructed the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to bring up “this violation” in talks with the United States, which is Tel Aviv’s closest ally and top weapons supplier.

The Iraqi government emphasizes its sovereignty and independence, Al-Awadi added.

“Iraq will not allow its airspace or land to be used for attacks on other nations, particularly neighboring countries with whom Iraq shares mutual respect and interests,” the spokesman's statement read.

Also, on Sunday anti-terror group Kata'ib Hezbollah which has defended Iraqi sovereignty against foreign intervention for years, condemned the Israeli use of Iraq’s airspace to strike Iran as a “dangerous precedent.”

The group, which is a prominent member of Islamic Resistance in Iraq, accused the United States of being inculpated in the Israeli attack, warning both belligerent allies of a response to this aggression.

Israeli war jets stationed within a range of 100 kilometers from the Iranian border fired a number of air-launched missiles at Iranian targets in the early hours of Saturday. Though Israeli warplanes were blocked from entering Iran’s territory, the regime managed to inflict limited damage on Iranian radar sites. Israeli warplanes used airspace occupied by the United States in Iraq to carry out the attacks.

Though material damage was limited, 5 people including 4 Army personnel and one civilian were martyred during the Israeli attacks.

Before the Israeli aggression, Iran’s neighbors had pledged they would not permit the use of their soil or airspace for any attack, according to Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi.

“All our neighbors have assured us that they won’t allow their soil or airspace to be used against the Islamic Republic of Iran,” Iran’s FM told a press conference in Kuwait, days before Israel’s Oct. 26 missile attack.

Araghchi’s Kuwait visit was part of a regional tour that also took him to Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Oman, Iraq, Egypt, and Turkey.
Iran has also had frequent discussions with Russian and European authorities in the past month.
Iran has made a series of rigorous diplomatic efforts over the past month, including frequent discussions with European countries and Russian President Vladimir Putin.

Iran’s Foreign Minister also reiterated on Sunday Oct. 27 that the United States’ complicity in Israel’s act of aggression against the country is “quite clear” as it has provided the regime with military equipment and airspace to conduct the airstrike.

Saturday's strike followed the Iranian ballistic missile barrage on Oct. 1. The Iranian attack, codenamed Operation True Promise II, was the largest ballistic missile attack on Israel since its formation which resulted in confirmed impacts on Nevatim and Tel Nof Airbases which Israel has used to perpetuate the Gaza genocide.

source: tehrantimes.com