Iraqi Resistance Figure Urges Baghdad to Reject 'Unjust Siege' on Iran After Najaf Flight Halt

Abu Ala al-Walai, a figure associated with the Iraqi Resistance, issued a statement on [date] urging the Iraqi government to reject what he described as an unjust siege on Iran. The statement came after the administration of Najaf International Airport announced the suspension of all flights arriving from and departing for Iran until further notice, acting on directives from the office of the Iraqi prime minister.

In his remarks, al-Walai said, "It is not fitting for the Iraq of Hussein (a.s.) to be part of an unjust siege on Iran, the land of knowledge and jihad, the land of seminaries, the visitors of Arbaeen, its sheikhs, women, and children." He added, "Iraq, which carries the slogan 'Labbayk Ya Hussein' as a method and a position, should also have a word in positions: No to the siege, and no to making the land of Hussein (a.s.) a path to oppressing his Shia and lovers." He called on members of parliament to issue a resolution obliging the government not to submit to what he termed America's evil will, citing positions taken by countries such as Russia and China that reject the siege and policies of dictation.

The flight suspension followed US measures targeting Iran's aviation sector. On September 8, the US Treasury sanctioned 27 Iranian airlines and threatened airports, fuel suppliers, ground-handling firms, and other service providers dealing with Iranian carriers with secondary sanctions. Erbil International Airport and Sulaymaniyah International Airport took similar measures, while Kirkuk International Airport stated it had no flights to Iran.

Iraqi Foreign Minister Fuad Hussein told Al Arabiya that Baghdad would discuss the sanctions issue with the United States to explore the possibility of providing services to Iranian airlines, according to Press TV. Meanwhile, Iraq's Ambassador to Tehran, Yasser al-Hajjaj, told Al Ahad TV that Iraq and Iran were holding talks to find solutions aimed at resuming flights by Iranian airlines to Iraqi airports. Several Iraqi political and Resistance figures have criticized the suspension of Iranian flights. Former Iraqi Prime Minister Adel Abdul Mahdi stated that Iran is Iraq's "neighbor, ally, and friend" and called the airport closure a [incomplete].

According to Mehr News, the developments reflect ongoing regional tensions following US sanctions on Iran's aviation sector, with Iraqi officials engaging in diplomatic efforts to address the situation.