Iraqi Prime Minister and National Security Advisor Qasim al-Abdi recently claimed that some groups working for Ukraine have been arrested in Iraq, and they have carried out several bomb attacks. However, he also emphasized that the issue of bombings in Iraq is complex, and extensive investigations are needed to accuse any party of being behind these bombings.
Ukraine immediately denied the accusations, stating that they were false information that served third-party interests and harmed bilateral relations. At the same time, Ukraine indicated that it did not rule out the possibility that this incident was part of a 'coordinated information and psychological warfare' aimed at 'destabilizing Ukraine-Iraq partnership'.
Russia has taken this opportunity to emphasize that the Kiev regime is expanding the scope of its 'terrorist activities'. Based on this, Russian experts speculate that the group arrested in Iraq may be targeting Iran.
According to the Iraqi Shafaqi news agency, Abdu said in a program on Dijela TV on the evening of July 27: "We have an intelligence unit whose task is to analyze information, and they have concluded that there is interference from Ukraine in Iraq."
He added, “We arrested several small groups that carried out bombing operations in Iraq, targeting various facilities. After interrogation, they admitted to working for Ukraine.”
But Abdi did not specify which facilities these gangs bombed, nor did he mention whether they carried out bombing operations outside of Iraq.
He emphasized that the explosion issues in Iraq are 'complex, requiring extensive investigation before any party can be accused of being behind these explosive actions'.
Russian newspaper "Messagerie" cited Iraqi media speculation, stating that Abdi's statement may be related to a series of attacks recently encountered in northern Iraq. In mid-July, the El Qaim region intercepted dozens of drones. Some drones were destroyed by the air defense system at El Qaim International Airport, and another was shot down near the U.S. Consulate. Currently, no one has claimed responsibility for these incidents.
After Abdu's statement, some views suggest that groups working for the interests of Ukraine may be involved in these attacks. These views speculate that the perpetrators attempted to shift suspicion towards Iraqi armed organizations, thereby escalating tensions within Iraq and involving it in regional conflicts.
Iraqi military expert Safa Asham made the above statement to Iraq’s “V News”. However, he also emphasized that the investigation is still ongoing, and it is too early to draw any final conclusions.
Iraq has not officially confirmed that the arrested person is related to the attack in Erbil.
July 25th, Iraqi city Erbil was attacked by drones. Iranian Meheir News Agency
It is worth noting that Iraqi pro-Iranian groups were previously accused of attacking Erbil.
According to a Reuters report dated July 25th, Erbil is the capital of the Kurdish Autonomous Region. It has been a target of attacks several times in recent months due to the presence of the U.S. Consulate and international coalition forces there. The Iranian Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps has carried out missile and drone attacks on the area, claiming that the targets were Israeli intelligence sites. Meanwhile, Iranian-backed militias have also been accused of launching rocket and drone attacks against locations where U.S. personnel are stationed.
The US Embassy in Baghdad announced on the 28th that American citizens should avoid traveling to Iraq. It was mentioned that militia organizations supported by Iran have carried out attacks from within Iraq against targets in Iraq and the Middle East, posing a serious threat to public safety.
According to a report by Shafaqi News Agency on the 29th, the Kufa government stated that there have been hundreds of attacks against this area in recent months, but Iraqi authorities have not yet announced any findings regarding the responsible parties.
Safety expert Sa'lmad Barayti from Iraq believes that Iraq lacks the technical capability to independently determine the location of drone launches.
Iraq's "Al-Maurid" Strategic Research Center Director Najem Kasab said in an interview with the Russian Satellite News Agency on the 28th that if Abuadi's claims are confirmed, Iraq should appeal to the United Nations Security Council and submit a protest note to the Ukrainian embassy in Baghdad. Such actions are unacceptable; they represent interference by foreign forces on Iraqi territory.
Iran's Tasnim News Agency noted that while Abudi made these remarks, the Iraqi government has been reiterating its commitment to the policy of keeping Iraq away from regional and international conflicts. Iraqi Prime Minister Zaidie has repeatedly emphasized that national security and sovereignty require Iraq's territory not to become a platform for attacks against neighboring countries, and that decisions regarding war and peace should be made solely by the state.
The Ukrainian Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued a statement on the 28th, denying Abu Di's accusations and stating that they were baseless. According to Anadolu News Agency, the Ukrainian Ministry of Foreign Affairs said, "There is no fact or evidence to support these accusations, and this Iraqi official himself acknowledged this during the interview."
The Ukrainian Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated that Ukraine learned of these accusations from live television broadcasts. If such statements have any basis, Iraq should first attempt to communicate through diplomatic channels.
The Ukrainian Ministry of Foreign Affairs described these accusations as "unacceptable and irresponsible," and warned that they could damage bilateral relations between the two countries. "Ukraine has always regarded Iraq as an important partner in the Middle East, and has always advocated for developing reciprocal political, economic, and humanitarian cooperation."
The Ukrainian Ministry of Foreign Affairs emphasizes that these statements echo "Russian propaganda efforts aimed at discrediting Ukraine and damaging its relations with Middle Eastern countries." The Ukrainian side does not rule out the possibility that this incident could be part of "coordinated information and psychological warfare" intended to "harm Ukraine-Iraq partnership" or influenced by "external information."
Uzbekistan calls on Iraqi authorities to respond to the spread of 'unfounded accusations' and to prevent the use of state institutions to spread false information. Such false information 'serves third-party interests and undermines bilateral relations'.
Regarding Abdo's statement, Russian President's Press Secretary Peskov said on the 28th, "We see that the Kiev regime continues its terrorist activities. Looking back, the Kiev regime is expanding the scope of its terrorist activities."
At the same time, Russian experts have also made their own interpretations of this situation.
Russian magazine "Defense" editor-in-chief Igor Korochnikov told The News Agency that Ukrainian intelligence agencies have long been spreading their "destabilizing activities" beyond the area of the Russia-Ukraine conflict.
He said that one of the targets of the arrested group’s activities in Iraq could be weakening Iran’s influence. He did not rule out the possibility that Ukrainian agencies might be involved in actions against Iran for the benefit of third parties.
"Still exists such risk, that is, Ukraine's ability being used for violence targeting Russia and its interests, partners, and allies." Colonel Korolenko said.
It should be noted that the Russian interpretation is based on Abu Di's statements, while the Iraqi authorities have not provided any specific evidence in support of the accusations, nor have they responded further to Ukraine's objections.
