Today's Newspapers Follow The Repercussions Of The US Bombing In Western Iraq

Baghdad / NINA / -Newspapers issued today, Sunday, February 4, followed the repercussions of the American bombing in western Iraq

Al-Zawraa newspaper, which is published by the Iraqi Journalists Syndicate, said that Prime Minister Muhammad Shiaa al-Sudani directed the declaration of general mourning in all state departments and institutions, out of mercy for the souls of the martyrs.

The Prime Minister's Media Office stated in a statement that Prime Minister Muhammad Shiaa Al-Sudani directed the declaration of general mourning in all state departments and institutions, out of mercy for the souls of the martyrs of our armed forces and the civilians who died as a result of the American bombing on the areas of Akashat and Al-Qaim, west of Anbar Governorate.

For his part, government spokesman Bassem Al-Awadi said in a statement, “The American administration committed a new aggression against the sovereignty of Iraq, as the locations of our security forces, in Akashat and Al-Qaim regions, as well as neighboring civilian places, were bombed by several American aircraft.” Pointing out that “this blatant aggression led to the death of 16 martyrs, including civilians, in addition to 25 wounded, and also caused losses and damage to residential buildings and citizens’ property.”

He added, “The American side then deliberately deceived and falsified the facts, by announcing prior coordination to commit this aggression, which is a false claim aimed at misleading international public opinion and disavowing legal responsibility for this rejected crime in accordance with all international laws and norms.”

He stressed that “this aggressive strike will put security in Iraq and the region on the brink of the abyss, and it also contradicts efforts to consolidate the required stability,” adding: “Iraq renews its refusal to let its lands be an arena for settling scores, and all parties must realize that, as the land of our country and its sovereignty are not the appropriate place to send messages and show strength between opponents.”

He continued: “At the same time, we affirm that the presence of the international coalition, which has deviated from the tasks assigned to it and the mandate granted to it, has become a reason for threatening security and stability in Iraq and a justification for involving Iraq in regional and international conflicts.”

He pointed out that “the Iraqi government will make every effort required by moral, national, and constitutional responsibility to protect our land, our cities, and the lives of our children in all types of armed forces,” concluding by saying: “Glory and honor to our righteous martyrs, and a speedy recovery to the wounded.”

In addition, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated in a statement that, “In protest against the American aggression that targeted Iraqi military and civilian sites, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs will summon the Chargé d’Affaires of the United States Embassy in Baghdad, David Perker, due to the absence of the American Ambassador, to hand him an official note of protest regarding the American attack that targeted military sites and a civilian one in Akashat and Al-Qaim regions on Friday evening, 02/02/2024.”

Meanwhile, the spokesman for the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, Major General Yahia Rasool, reported that the cities of Al-Qaim and the Iraqi border areas were subjected to American air strikes, while he considered these strikes a violation of Iraqi sovereignty.

Major General Rasool said in a statement: “The cities of Al-Qaim and the Iraqi border areas are being subjected to air strikes by United States aircraft, as these strikes come at a time when Iraq is striving to ensure the stability of the region.”

He added, "These strikes are a violation of Iraqi sovereignty and an undermining of the efforts of the Iraqi government, and a threat that will drag Iraq and the region into unforeseen consequences, and its consequences will be dire for security and stability in Iraq and the region."

Al-Zaman newspaper said that Iraq handed over, yesterday, to the Chargé d'Affairs at the US Embassy in Baghdad, a note of protest against the aggression that targeted security sites in Al-Qaim and Akashat, resulting in martyrs and wounded, including civilians.

A statement by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said, “In protest against the American aggression that targeted Iraqi military and civilian sites, we summoned the Charge d’Affaires of the United States Embassy in Baghdad, David Perker, due to the absence of the ambassador, to hand him an official note of protest regarding his country’s attack, which targeted military and civilian sites in Akashat and Al-Qaim regions.”

Minister Fuad Hussein received a call from his Omani counterpart, Badr Al Busaidi, to discuss the latest developments in Iraq and the region.

The statement indicated that “the two sides discussed during the call the recent developments taking place in Iraq and the region, and affirmed support for Iraq in its positions, respect for its sovereignty, and continued coordination at the highest levels”.

The minister also discussed, with his Saudi counterpart, Faisal bin Farhan, the security situation in the region following the attack that targeted American forces in Jordan.

The statement explained that “the two ministers discussed, in a phone call, the repercussions of the attack and possible scenarios related to the security and military situation in the region”.

The American administration launched 85 air strikes on sites near the border with Syria, in a move that the Iraqi government described as aggressive, which would put the region on the edge of the abyss.

Government spokesman Bassem Al-Awadi said in a statement yesterday, “This blatant aggression led to the death of 16 martyrs, including civilians, in addition to 25 wounded, and also caused losses and damage to residential buildings and citizens’ property.”

He added, “The American side then deliberately deceived and falsified the facts, by announcing prior coordination to commit this aggression, which is a false claim aimed at misleading international public opinion.”

He pointed out that “this aggressive strike will put security in Iraq and the region on the brink of the abyss, and it also contradicts efforts to consolidate the required stability” added “Iraq refuses to let its lands be an arena for settling scores, and all parties must realize this”.

He continued, "The presence of the international coalition, which has deviated from the tasks assigned to it and the mandate granted to it, has become a reason for threatening security and stability in Iraq and a justification for involving the country in regional and international conflicts."

For his part, Major General Yahia Rasool, spokesman for the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, said that “the American retaliatory strikes constitute a violation of Iraqi sovereignty,” expressing his fear of “serious consequences for Iraq’s security and stability.”/End