Doha: Iraq can't afford to be a battleground for others' conflicts or a staging ground for attacks on its neighbors, said Prime Minister Ali Faleh Al Zaidi on Saturday. Speaking during a convocation ceremony for the graduation of Police College students, Al Zaidi added that Iraq is going through delicate circumstances, emphasizing the important role of security apparatuses in protecting Iraq's security and deepening its national sovereignty.
According to Qatar News Agency, attempts to tamper with Iraq's security will be fended off by the people's unity and their rallying to the side of the government and armed forces, Al Zaidi assured, noting that the strength of security apparatuses will always remain a deterrent to any attempts that seek to compromise the nation's security and stability. Meanwhile, the Iraqi military confirmed that iron-clad security measures have been taken to preclude taking advantage of Iraqi territories as a staging ground for carrying out activities that imperil its security and that of its neighbors.
In a statement, spokesman for the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces Sabah Al Numan recalled that the general commander has issued several resolute directives in the wake of the recent incidents, with the objective of tightening field measures to hold border ports in check and preclude any activity that emerges from inside Iraq to either threaten the security and stability of neighboring countries or damage them. The directives included the creation of a high investigation committee and relieving the Maysan provincial police chief and the directors of the province's security agencies of their duties and referring them for investigation.
Al Numan further stressed that Iraq would neither allow its territory to be a staging ground for offensives against all neighboring countries nor allow it to be used to damage regional security. He confirmed that security and intelligence apparatuses would continue to pursue those involved and refer them to the judiciary to face the punishment they deserve.