Najaf Cleric Warns Against Claims of Regional Coalition Targeting Iraq

Najaf cleric Necmeddin Kerbelai warned after Friday prayers in Najaf about reports that a regional coalition is being formed to target armed groups in Iraq. He said media outlets had carried claims that a coalition of five Arab countries would launch air strikes from the Iraqi border. Kerbelai stressed that Iraq welcomes its neighbors with respect and does not want political crises with them. He said, however, that any country interfering in Iraq's internal affairs would bear the consequences. The warning came after drone attacks launched from Iraqi territory toward the UAE and Saudi Arabia in recent days. The remarks added to growing tension around security developments linked to Iraq's borders and regional relations. Kerbelai's comments underscore Baghdad's sensitivity to foreign involvement in Iraq's internal security file as regional accusations and cross-border attacks continue to draw concern.