Al-Zaidi: We will not allow Iraq to become a base for aggression against neighbors

Afghan Voice Agency (AVA) - International Service: The Iraqi Prime Minister’s Information Office announced: “Prime Minister and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, Ali Faleh Al-Zaidi, visited the Air Defense Command Operations Center on Thursday morning to be closely informed about the preparations, missions, and status of this force in protecting Iraq’s skies.”

 

According to the official Iraqi News Agency (IWA), the visit of the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces was carried out within the framework of preparations for the next stage and to follow up on the status of readiness in operational sectors, simultaneously with the implementation of the Iraq-US agreement to end the international coalition mission and complete withdrawal from Iraq by September 30 (September 8).

 

During this visit, Al-Zaidi emphasized the need to strengthen the capabilities of the Iraqi armed forces and air defense systems to fully fulfill the responsibility of protecting airspace and national sovereignty.

 

Today, he also received a comprehensive report from the Air Defense Commander on the status of this force, the method of controlling operational sectors, and the strategy for developing the capabilities of specialized units within the framework of the Air Defense Enhancement Program for the years 2026 to 2031. This program has announced its goal of developing detection and radar capabilities, weapons systems, and command and control.

 

In a meeting with the Air Defense Commander and officers, Al-Zaidi emphasized that air defense is “Iraq’s sky shield and the front line of defending sovereignty,” and said that “creating capable armed forces is the foundation for consolidating Iraqi sovereignty and strengthening this country’s ability to make independent political and military decisions.”

 

The Commander-in-Chief of the Iraqi Armed Forces also emphasized the need to meet all air defense requirements, improve combat and technological levels, and prepare the groundwork for creating an advanced system to protect Iraq's airspace, saying: "Iraq's sky and sovereignty are a symbol that we will not allow its territory to be violated or its security to be violated by any power."

 

He also emphasized that Iraq, in addition to protecting national security and sovereignty, will never allow its territory or airspace to become a base for aggression against neighboring countries.

 

Al-Zaidi emphasized that Iraq's role strengthens regional security and stability, and its armed forces are a strong fortress to protect Iraq, its sovereignty, and its national decision-making.