German minister condemns Iran’s missile attacks on Iraq

Iranian missile attacks across the Iraqi border are unacceptable and put both people and regional stability at risk, German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock said during a visit to the Iraqi capital on Tuesday.

“With its missile attacks, the Iranian regime shows not only that it recklessly and brutally suppresses its own people, it also puts human life and the stability of the whole region at risk to hold on to power. It is unacceptable and dangerous for the whole region,” she said at a news conference.

Baerbock arrived in Iraq’s Baghdad on Tuesday two weeks before the 20th anniversary of the US-led invasion that toppled Saddam Hussein, her office said in a statement.

Highlighting the significance of Iraq’s role at the regional level, Baerbock said that the country is “a key factor for regional stability.”

“I want to reassure our Iraqi partners that Germany not only believes in a bright and peaceful future for Iraq, but will also continue to work to this end,” said Baerbock.

She also said that Iraq could become a model for the larger region if it achieves stability and development in a democratic and diverse country, adding that Germany has made available “over 3.4 billion euros to Iraq since 2014 for civilian projects alone.”

On the security situation, Baerbock said Germany is keeping up the pressure on ISIS by working with Iraq and other international partners.

The minister will meet with German servicemen and women to get a closer insight into Germany’s military engagement in Iraq, according to the statement.

Baerbock is also expected to address foreign “attacks” on Iraq.

“In Baghdad and Erbil, I will talk about the problematic role played in the region by Iran, and about the Turkish and Iranian attacks on Iraqi territory.”

While in Iraq, Baerbock is also set to meet with the UN commission of inquiry, visit reconstruction projects and learn more about the situation of the many internally displaced persons in the country.

“I will call for everybody to tackle the consequences of the climate crisis together, so that the people in modern-day Mesopotamia can not only look back on thousands of years of history, but can also look to the future with confidence,” she said.

With Reuters