Protesters in Baghdad condemn Israeli threats

BAGHDAD – More than 100 people gathered in Baghdad’s Tahrir Square on Saturday to protest the threat of Israeli attack.

“We condemn and reject the threats of Zionism to the Iraqi people, because they say they are about to hit us,” said Sheikh Zarkham Qureshi, imam of the Hussein mosque in Baghdad.

“Iraq needs to reveal its position on responding to threats and violations of its sovereignty,” Qureshi said. he said.

On Monday, Israeli foreign minister Gideon Sa’ar called on the United Nations Security Council to pressure Baghdad to end militia attacks on Israel and warned that it had the right to defend itself under the UN Charter.

Iraqi Foreign Minister Fuad Hussein said on Friday that Israel had made “serious, clear and concrete” threats.

US President Joe Biden’s administration has warned officials in Baghdad that Iraq could face an Israeli attack if they fail to prevent attacks by Iran-backed Iraqi militia groups.

Iraqi militias supporting Gaza launched drone and missile attacks on Israel. Last month, the Israeli army announced that two of its soldiers were killed and 24 soldiers were injured when a suicide drone launched from Iraq hit a military base in the Golan Heights.

Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shiite al-Sudani’s spokesman, Major General Yahya Rasul, said on Tuesday that he had instructed security forces to prevent any military activity beyond the control of the state.

Protesters in Baghdad also expressed support for proposed amendments to the Personal Status Law that would legalize child marriage for nine-year-old girls and 15-year-old boys, which could undermine the principle of equality before the law and remove women’s protections regarding divorce and inheritance. According to Human Rights Watch.

Protesters defended the proposed changes, labeling them “unconstitutional”, and also accused international organizations of interfering in Iraq’s social and family affairs.

The Iraqi parliament is expected to vote on the changes this week.

Rekar Aziz contributed to this report