Tishwash: America sends military reinforcements to Iraq
The Associated Press reported on Thursday (March 5, 2026), citing US officials, that Washington has begun sending new military reinforcements to its bases in Iraq.
This move comes amid escalating regional tensions and fears of attacks on US facilities, and as part of the Pentagon’s efforts to strengthen defense capabilities and secure forces deployed in the region against any potential threats. link
Tishwash: Sudani: We will not allow Iraq to be dragged into war
The Commander-in-Chief of the Iraqi Armed Forces, Mohammed Shia al-Sudani, affirmed on Saturday the government’s commitment to protecting Iraq from any attempts to drag the country into armed conflicts, directing that any security shortcomings be held strictly accountable, coinciding with decisions that included major changes in the intelligence structure in Nineveh Governorate.
Al-Sudani’s remarks came during his visit to the Joint Operations Command headquarters, where he chaired an expanded security meeting immediately upon his arrival, in the presence of the Minister of Interior, the Chief of Staff of the Army, the Deputy Commander of Joint Operations, the Head of the Counter-Terrorism Service, the Secretary of the Commander-in-Chief, in addition to a number of leaders of military and security agencies and formations.
The media office of the Commander-in-Chief stated that the meeting included a comprehensive review of the security situation in various governorates, with a focus on current developments in the region and the repercussions of ongoing military operations on Iraq’s security and regional and international security.
During the meeting, Al-Sudani stressed “no leniency towards any attempt to embroil Iraq in war or threaten its stability,” affirming that the armed forces will continue to work to strengthen national security and protect the country’s higher interests.
In a speech addressed to security leaders, Al-Sudani said: “Your legitimate and legal responsibility requires you to put the interest of Iraq above all considerations, to commit to enforcing the law with the highest levels of readiness, and not to allow any party to drag the country into conflicts or destabilize it.”
The Commander-in-Chief also ordered that any entity or security element proven to have failed in performing its duties during this “sensitive phase” that Iraq and the region are going through be held accountable, directing that all efforts be mobilized to protect the security of the country and the interests of the people.
The Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, Federal Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani, issued a decision on Wednesday, March 4, 2026, to relieve all intelligence officials in the Nineveh Plains Operations Sector of their positions.
The Prime Minister’s Media Office stated in an official statement that this decision comes within the framework of close monitoring of the security file and the progress of operations in vital sectors, as the directive included relieving all intelligence leaders responsible for the aforementioned sector.
These moves and warnings come amid an unprecedented military escalation in the region, where the United States and Israel launched extensive air attacks on Iranian territory on Saturday morning, February 28, 2026, resulting in the deaths of a number of Iranian leaders.
Tehran responded immediately by launching missile barrages towards Israel, in addition to targeting a number of US military bases and facilities in countries of the region, raising fears of the entire region sliding into a full-blown war. link
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Tishwash: Baghdad in the “eye of the storm”: Regional complexities hinder government formation – Urgent
Former MP Aref Al-Hamami confirmed on Wednesday (March 4, 2026) that the formation of the government will be delayed due to the ongoing war in the region, while pointing out that Baghdad is still in the eye of the storm amid the complexities of the regional scene.
Government formation and the repercussions of the war
Al-Hamami told Baghdad Today, “The regional situation in the Middle East, especially the Arabian Gulf region, is extremely sensitive in light of the ongoing war, the scenarios and end date of which cannot be predicted.” He pointed out that “we are facing an exceptional and very dangerous situation, and Baghdad is at the heart of this storm.”
The former MP explained that “one of the repercussions of this war is the delay in forming a government, which may take even longer, especially given the lack of any indication so far of parliamentary sessions or direct meetings with the country’s main political leaders.” He added that “the current situation is difficult, and all possibilities are open regarding the nature of the military confrontation in the region in the coming days, weeks, and perhaps months.”
The absence of agreements and the third phase
Al-Hamami points out that “forming the government will take some time, especially with the absence of decisive Kurdish-Kurdish understandings that would end the debate on presenting a consensus candidate for the position of President of the Republic,” explaining that “the failure to resolve this entitlement hinders the transition to the third and final stage, which is assigning the candidate of the largest bloc, in reference to the coordination framework.”
The position of President of the Republic is one of the most important constitutional entitlements that requires broad political consensus, especially between the two main Kurdish parties that share influence within the Kurdistan Region.
This move comes amid the overlap between the presidential file and the negotiations to form the federal government, which makes any agreement in Erbil contingent on the pace of understandings in Baghdad, and puts the scene before two options: a last-minute settlement or resorting to the ballot box inside parliament.
Political observers indicated that the repercussions of the relationship between the United States and Iran will not be isolated from the Iraqi political scene, especially with regard to the negotiations to form the next government, stressing that the forces concerned with choosing the Prime Minister are closely monitoring the nature of regional developments and what they may impose in terms of new conditions or equations on the form of the next government and its executive program.
Observers explained that the Iraqi crisis is inseparable from international interventions, including the American position, which has always been linked to the formation of successive governments, noting that some political parties seek to avoid getting involved in any confrontation between Washington and Tehran, and to try to distance themselves from the repercussions of the conflict. link
Tishwash: The foreign minister and his Russian counterpart discussed by phone the rapidly escalating military developments in the region and their political and economic repercussions.
Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Fuad Hussein held a telephone conversation on Wednesday with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, during which they discussed the rapidly escalating military developments in the region and their political and economic repercussions.
During the call, the Russian minister outlined his country’s position on the ongoing war, noting that he had contacted several of his counterparts in the Gulf states and Iran. He emphasized that the best way to resolve the situation lies in returning to the negotiating table and prioritizing the diplomatic track to contain the escalation. He also mentioned sending an official letter to Fuad Hussein, clarifying his country’s position and its vision for de-escalating tensions.
For his part, Fuad Hussein expressed his gratitude to the Russian minister for his communication and for taking the initiative to send the letter, stressing the importance of continued coordination and consultation between the two countries during this critical phase.
The Foreign Minister explained that Iraq has become one of the countries directly affected by the ongoing conflict, as it is subjected to attacks from both sides, placing it in the position of a victim rather than a participant. He affirmed that the solution lies in an immediate ceasefire, but current indicators do not reflect any serious practical steps in this direction.
He noted that the expansion of the conflict and the intensification of attacks have become a daily feature of the conflict, warning that the closure of the Strait of Hormuz and the continuation of military operations have disrupted maritime traffic in the region.
He explained that Iraq is facing increasing difficulties in exporting its oil, a situation shared by some countries in the region, which portends serious repercussions for global energy markets. He also warned that the continuation of the war will lead to an energy market crisis and price hikes, negatively impacting the economies of the region and the world.
Regarding bilateral relations, the Russian minister extended an invitation to his Iraqi counterpart to participate in the eleventh meeting of the Iraqi-Russian Joint Committee, scheduled for May of this year.
The two sides also discussed the deal concerning some oil fields in Basra Governorate, involving the Russian company Gazprom and the American company Chevron, in addition to the resulting financial implications and mechanisms for addressing them in a way that ensures the protection of national interests.
The two sides concluded the call by emphasizing the need for continued communication and joint coordination in light of the sensitive circumstances the region is experiencing. /End link
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