Claims that Iraq is preparing to intervene in Syria: Intelligence report leaked to the press
Following the events in Syria on the night of March 7 to March 8, reactions have come one after another from Iraq. Iraqi officials, claiming that civilians were being targeted, called for an end to what is happening in Syria. Iraqi media, meanwhile, alleged that the intelligence service had expressed an opinion in favor of 'intervening in Syria'.
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The Iraqi Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated that it is deeply concerned about the rapid security developments in Syria. In a statement made on Saturday, it warned that these developments could have serious consequences for regional security and stability. According to local media claims, Iraqi intelligence prepared a report on the events, noting that 'the region should be intervened in' to the government.
The ministry emphasized that civilians must be protected and called on all parties to exercise restraint. Officials pointed to the importance of peaceful solutions and dialogue instead of military escalation. The statement strongly condemned the targeting of innocent civilians and stated that the continuation of violence would further deepen the crisis.
The ministry called on the international community to increase its efforts to end the humanitarian suffering in Syria. The statement emphasized the need to support political solutions aimed at ensuring Syria's unity, protecting its people, and establishing stability in the region.
According to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, violent clashes took place between Syrian government forces and opposition groups in Latakia province on Thursday. At least 300 people lost their lives in the clashes.
IRAQI INTELLIGENCE ADVOCATES INTERVENTION
Syrian Transitional Government President Ahmed al-Shara promised to subject 'remnants of the old regime' to fair trials. Iraqi intelligence sources, however, alleged that the Shara administration is targeting civilians and reported that there is an 'urgent need to intervene' in the developments in Syria.
According to a report by Shafaq News, a brigadier general from the former Syrian army's 4th Presidential Guard Division has formed a new military council. These developments coincide with large-scale attacks by the Syrian government on the Latakia coastal region.
Reuters reported that at least 20 people lost their lives in airstrikes carried out by Russian forces. Images of bodies lying side by side on the side of a highway were confirmed by satellite data.
The Iraqi government confirmed the increased state of alert on the Syrian border. Instructions were given to prepare reserve forces, increase surveillance with thermal cameras, and make night vision equipment ready for use.
Iraqi Shiite religious leader Ayatollah Ali Sistani
SISTANI REACTS
Iraqi Shiite religious leader Ayatollah Ali Sistani reacted to the developments in Syria. Sistani issued a fatwa stating that it is not permissible to cooperate with the 'terrorist organization leader' Jolani (the code name used by Shara when he was an Al-Qaeda militant). Iraqi media stated that Sistani's fatwa could lead to the intervention of Shiite militia groups in Syria.
It was estimated that 'hundreds of thousands' of militia members were mobilized in 2014 following Sistani's fatwa against ISIS. After ISIS began to spread into Iraqi territory, many Iraqi Shiite militias began fighting in Syria.
Sistani had previously warned the new administration in Syria that they could 'take action' if tensions escalated. The Shara administration did not comment on the statements coming from Iraq.