Iraqi Foreign Minister Fuad Hussein has said that external parties are using Iraqi territory to launch attacks on neighbouring countries, telling Al Jazeera that Baghdad has opened an investigation into strikes on Gulf states reportedly originating from inside Iraq. In remarks broadcast on the Qatar-based broadcaster, Hussein acknowledged that Iraqi soil has been exploited by actors operating outside state control, and said the government is working to identify those responsible. The minister’s comments mark a rare public acknowledgement by Baghdad that its territory is being used as a launchpad for cross-border attacks, a charge Iraqi officials have frequently denied or attributed to unverified reports.
The disclosure comes amid heightened regional tensions, with Gulf capitals pressing Baghdad to prevent armed groups and unidentified actors from using remote areas of Iraq to stage drone and rocket strikes. Hussein did not specify which parties are suspected or which Gulf states were targeted, citing the ongoing investigation. Analysts say the probe places Iraq in a delicate position, balancing its obligations to neighbours against the influence of armed factions that operate with limited central government oversight. Baghdad has repeatedly pledged to safeguard its borders and prevent attacks from its soil, though previous assurances have yielded few visible results.
Independent reporting synthesized from primary wires and global correspondents.