Iraq denies the existence of Houthi headquarters inside the country
Agencies2 min read
Share
Iraqi government spokesman Haidar al-Abboudi confirmed on Wednesday that the closure of the Al-Shaib border crossing was due to its lack of technical, technological, and developmental readiness, while denying the existence of Houthi headquarters in Iraq, according to the Iraqi News Agency.
Al-Abboudi pointed to ongoing coordination with Turkey and Iran to resolve the files of armed groups, emphasizing at the same time that Iraq will not allow its territory to be used to threaten neighboring countries.
He said that "suspending operations at the Al-Shaib crossing represents a step towards raising the technical and logistical readiness level of the crossing and came due to its lack of technical, technological, and developmental readiness," noting that "there is more than one border crossing witnessing smooth commercial exchange with Iran."
Regarding circulating reports about the presence of Houthi headquarters in Iraq, Al-Abboudi clarified that "there are no registered headquarters in this regard inside Iraq, and the matter does not require any government direction or decision regarding something that does not exist in the first place," pointing out that "some insist on clinging to narratives circulated via social media."
He added that "the presence of armed groups from other countries inside Iraq contradicts constitutional principles," stressing that "Iraq will not be a launchpad for aggression against neighboring countries, and will not adopt or host any armed group participating in a specific conflict."
Al-Abboudi affirmed that "all these indicators and government orientations confirm that armed elements affiliated with other countries are not permitted to exist within Iraqi territory," stressing that "Iraq will not allow neighboring countries to be threatened from its soil."
