Iraq Refuses to Become a Safe Haven for Houthi Leaders
By Colonel (Ret.) Ayad Al-Tufan
Today, Monday (March 24, 2025), Colonel (Ret.) Ayad Al-Tufan, an expert in military and security affairs, emphasized that Iraq cannot be a safe haven for top Houthi leaders, citing political and security factors that hinder this possibility.
In an interview with Baghdad Today, Al-Tufan stated that hosting Houthi leaders would put Iraq in the face of international and regional parties, which could lead to serious military and economic consequences.
The colonel highlighted that Iraq is keen to avoid being part of any regional conflict, as such a move would mean aligning with one side against another, which contradicts Baghdad’s foreign policy.
Al-Tufan also pointed out that Iraq is still an open space for US presence and Israeli intelligence operations, making any movements of Houthi leaders within its borders monitored and potentially transformed into legitimate targets for airstrikes.
The colonel added that the Iraqi environment remains under international air surveillance, making the transfer of weapons into the country or through it to Syria a risky move, as any such operation would be targeted as it was in the past.
In conclusion, Al-Tufan stressed that Iraq rejects being a battleground for settling scores or launching regional or international conflicts.
Background
Iraq has long sought to maintain a balanced policy in the face of regional and international conflicts that plague the region. As a battleground for previous conflicts, Baghdad has sought to avoid being a party to existing conflicts, particularly between rival powers in the Middle East.
Sources
Baghdad Today + Agencies
Note: This article has been reorganized for easier reading, using headings and subheadings to facilitate understanding.
