Iraq reassesses military preparedness in anticipation of Israeli attack

Iraq has reassessed for the second time in two weeks its military preparedness in anticipation of an Israeli attack in light of the challenges and unstable regional situation. Prime Minister Mohammed Shia Al-Sudani is personally following up on the military file.

Iraq is wary of an attack by the occupation regime after acknowledging the killing of two Israeli soldiers and the wounding of 24 others by a drone launched from Iraq at a site in the Israeli-occupied Syrian Golan Heights. The militias under the umbrella of the Islamic Resistance in Iraq continue their daily attacks against occupied territories with drones and missiles.

Al-Sudani made a surprise visit on Sunday evening to the headquarters of the Joint Operations Command in Baghdad. The prime minister was briefed on the progress of security operations and the nature of the plans that the Iraqi armed forces are working on, noting the need to review these plans in line with the developments taking place.

The Security Committee in the Iraqi parliament had previously discussed with the ministry of defence the preparedness of the Iraqi forces, and the extent of their ability to defend the country’s sovereignty. The committee hosted the army Chief of Staff and his assistant for this discussion, as well as the Commander of Army Aviation, the Commander of the Land Forces, the Commander of Air Defence, the Commander of the Iraqi Air Force, the Director General of Military Intelligence, and the Director General of Planning in the ministry. During the meeting, the readiness of the armed forces to respond to any attack on Iraqi territory and repel attacks was reviewed. The attendees also discussed the preparedness of the Iraqi Air Force and Air Defence to defend Iraqi sovereignty by air.

An official at the ministry of defence told Al-Araby Al-Jadeed that the assessment of the military readiness is currently focusing on the air defence division, the air force, and the map of the Iraqi army and other regular forces’ sensitive military sites. The official, who preferred to remain anonymous, stated that the reviewing and evaluating process “occurs in light of the continuing indications that a Zionist attack against Iraq will not be ruled out.”

He stressed that, “The prime minister is personally following up on the combat preparations, especially the air defence systems, radar, and early detection… There is a focus on the internal situation in the country, monitoring Daesh pockets, and directing strikes at their movements, in order to maintain the stability of the security situation.”

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