Iraqi prime minister tells US senator Iraqi airspace must not be used against neighbours

BAGHDAD: Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani has conveyed to US Senator Marco Rubio that Iraq's airspace should not be used for military actions targeting neighbouring countries.

The statement was made during a meeting between Prime Minister al-Sudani and Senator Rubio, who is currently visiting Iraq. According to the Iraqi prime minister, the country is committed to maintaining its sovereignty and ensuring that its territory and airspace are not used as a launchpad for attacks against neighbouring states.

"Iraq's airspace must not be used against neighbours," Prime Minister al-Sudani told Senator Rubio, as reported by the Express Tribune. The meeting comes amid heightened regional tensions, with the Iraqi airspace reportedly witnessing significant military activity since the onset of recent hostilities. Within hours of the start of the war, fighter jets and missiles from various directions have been reported to fill Iraq's airspace.

The Iraqi leader emphasized the importance of respecting Iraq's sovereignty and called for all parties to avoid actions that could escalate tensions in the region. The discussions between the two officials also covered broader security and political developments in the Middle East.

No further details of the meeting or specific incidents involving the use of Iraqi airspace were provided in the report. The Iraqi government has previously expressed concerns about the potential for its territory to be drawn into regional conflicts and has reiterated its stance on neutrality and non-interference in the affairs of neighbouring countries.

The visit by Senator Rubio is part of ongoing diplomatic engagements between Iraq and the United States, focusing on security cooperation and regional stability.