Iraq Arrests Militants Linked to Ukraine Amid Rising Tensions
Iraqi authorities have apprehended several militant cells purportedly linked to Ukraine, which were involved in various attacks within the country. National Security Adviser Qasim al-Aboudi disclosed this information during an interview with Dijlah TV, asserting that the Iraqi intelligence service has determined that Ukraine has been meddling in Iraq's affairs. Al-Aboudi mentioned that a limited number of groups responsible for attacks on Iraqi territory had been arrested and had confessed to working for Ukraine. However, he did not specify the facilities targeted by these militants or indicate whether their activities extended beyond Iraq's borders.
These revelations come amid heightened tensions in the region, particularly following Saudi Arabia's claims of drone attacks originating from Iraqi territory aimed at its oil facilities. The kingdom has attributed these attacks to Iran-linked militias and has threatened retaliation at a suitable time and place. In response, The Islamic Resistance in Iraq, an umbrella organization for Iran-aligned groups, has denied any involvement and accused Saudi Arabia of attempting to deflect attention from recent assaults launched by Yemen's Houthis. They warned that any aggressive actions against Iraq-based groups would lead to retaliation against Saudi Arabia.
In response to al-Aboudi's statements, Ukraine has categorically denied the allegations, accusing the Iraqi official of promoting Russian propaganda narratives designed to discredit Ukraine and damage its relations with Middle Eastern nations. The Ukrainian Foreign Ministry expressed disappointment that such accusations were made publicly, emphasizing that no complaints had been received from Baghdad through diplomatic channels. The ministry firmly rejected the claims made by al-Aboudi, stating that there is no factual basis or evidence to support these allegations.
Over recent years, Ukraine has faced accusations of supporting various militant and terrorist groups abroad. For instance, the Alliance of Sahel States has pointed fingers at foreign powers, including Ukraine, for backing anti-government armed groups in the region. Additionally, earlier this month, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Georgy Borisenko claimed that Ukraine had deployed military personnel in several African nations, allegedly to open a "second front" against Moscow.
