Since the start of the offensive by Syrian rebel forces against the regime of Bashar al-Assad, the question has arisen of the role that Baghdad wishes to play in the conflict.
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On his X account, Moqtada el-Sadr sends a clear message to the Iraqi authorities: neither the government, nor the population, nor the parties, armed factions or security forces must interfere in Syrian affairs. The nationalist religious leader points the finger “ those who have already done it “, in reference to the Shiite factions close to Iran which have in the past swelled the ranks of the forces of Bashar al-Assad. Moqtada el-Sadr believes that the security of Iraq is at stake and that any intervention in Syria should be punished, reports our correspondent in Baghdad, Marie-Charlotte Roupie.
The position of the influential Shiite cleric in this debate which has animated Iraqi society since the start of the rebel forces’ offensive in neighboring Syria is made public while the Syrian Minister of Foreign Affairs is expected in Baghdad. He is due to meet the Prime Minister and his Iraqi and Iranian counterparts this Friday. Everyone in Iraq is waiting to know what support the authorities will decide to give to the regime of Bashar al-Assad.
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Questioned by AFP, an Iraqi official assured that for Baghdad the “ red line » not to cross in the context of the Syrian conflict would be if the “ terrorist forces » were progressing towards eastern Syria towards Raqqa and Deir Ezzor to find themselves “ closer to the Iraqi border “. Or towards the Damascus region which is home to the Shiite sanctuary of Sayyeda Zeinab. sacred to Shiites “, he added. On condition of anonymity, this government official also mentioned as a red line “ the establishment of a caliphate » which would become “ a platform for terrorism “.
A leader of an influential pro-Iranian Iraqi armed faction, also speaking on condition of anonymity, said that “ until now “, no decision to intervene in Syria ” was not taken “.