Iran-aligned groups target Gulf nations in escalating regional tensions

Six Arab nations issue joint statement condemning Baghdad for cross-border attacks by Iranian-backed groups.

A joint statement issued by Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Kuwait, Bahrain, and Jordan has condemned the recent cross-border attacks on Gulf infrastructure. The six countries described the strikes as a blatant violation of national sovereignty and international law, specifically citing UN Security Council Resolution 2817, which mandates that Iran halt all attacks on neighboring countries.

The joint statement holds the Iraqi government directly responsible for controlling the armed groups operating within its borders, asserting their right to self-defense under Article 51 of the UN Charter. The Iraqi Ministry of Foreign Affairs has responded, stating that the security of Arab countries is an integral part of Iraq’s national security and categorically rejecting the use of its territory to target Gulf states or Jordan.

The government has expressed its “full readiness” to receive any information or evidence regarding the attacks to address them “responsibly and swiftly”. However, analysts warn that the government’s inability to rein in these factions on the ground is steadily eroding its sovereignty. According to Majed al-Qaisi, a retired Iraqi major-general, groups operating under the umbrella of the Islamic Resistance in Iraq have launched between 21 and 31 operations daily against targets across the Gulf and Jordan.

The conflict has sparked an unprecedented diplomatic crisis, testing Iraq’s ties with its Arab neighbors. The situation is further complicated by Iran’s claims that it is only targeting US bases in the region, while Gulf nations point to repeated attacks on their civilian infrastructure. Experts argue that Iran is using Iraqi groups to bypass international resolutions and avoid direct legal responsibility.

The joint statement has raised concerns about Iraq’s ability to maintain its sovereignty in the face of regional tensions. Khaled al-Jaber, director of the Middle East Council on Global Affairs, notes that Iran’s use of proxy attacks represents a deliberate strategy to test the limits of Gulf restraint and keep adversaries hesitant due to blurred lines of responsibility.

Source: Al Jazeera