“We are committed to distancing Iraq from regional wars,” Hussein said. “Baghdad does not desire escalation in the region.”
Iraqi Foreign Minister Fouad Hussein warned that the threat posed by ISIS has resurfaced, cautioning that the extremist group is actively regrouping and planning attacks. His remarks came in a special interview with Sky News Arabia, where he emphasized Iraq’s firm rejection of regional conflict and its ongoing coordination with international partners to preserve peace and stability.
Baghdad: No Appetite for War
“We are committed to distancing Iraq from regional wars,” Hussein said. “Baghdad does not desire escalation in the region.”
The foreign minister made clear that while the situation on the ground has changed since ISIS’s territorial defeat, the group’s operational capabilities have not been extinguished. “The danger has returned,” he warned, particularly referencing ISIS’s efforts to rearm and rebuild in neighboring Syria.
Hussein highlighted that the group is attempting to plan operations, including targeting detention centers run by the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), where numerous ISIS members remain incarcerated.
Renewed Strategic Dialogue with the U.S.
The minister confirmed that a new round of strategic dialogue between Iraq and the United States is being prepared, building on the framework agreement signed previously between both nations. He described the U.S.-Iraq partnership as grounded in shared principles, particularly with regard to the counter-ISIS campaign.
“These discussions are essential to shaping future cooperation,” he said, noting that Iraqi-American relations now extend into areas of security, economic reform, and political coordination.
Calls for Regional Cooperation
Hussein underlined the need for synchronized security efforts among regional stakeholders, stating that coordination with neighboring Syria is ongoing. “We are working with the Syrian side to establish a joint center for intelligence-sharing on ISIS,” he revealed.
He also confirmed continued dialogue with countries bordering Syria to monitor the security situation and ensure that instability does not spill over into Iraq.
Iran and U.S. Dialogue Supported
Addressing broader geopolitical dynamics, Hussein voiced Baghdad’s support for ongoing negotiations between Tehran and Washington. “The region cannot afford further destabilization,” he stated, warning that a breakdown in talks could potentially drag the region toward conflict.
He affirmed that Iraq is closely monitoring the situation and remains engaged in diplomatic efforts to encourage dialogue and de-escalation.
Parliamentary Engagements on National Sovereignty
The foreign minister also noted internal parliamentary discussions focused on ensuring Iraq remains a sovereign actor uninvolved in foreign conflicts. “There is a shared national stance that Iraq must not be turned into a battlefield,” he said.