UN envoy in Iraq appeals restraint as Middle East at a ‘critical juncture’

Anjali Sharma

GG News Bureau
UNITED NATIONS, 7th Feb. UN Special Representative and the head of the UNAMI Jeanine Hennis-Plasschaert on Tuesday warned the members of the Security Council that attacks originated both within and outside Iraq have the potential to unravel the stability and other achievements in Iraq if they continue.

Jeanine Hennis-Plasschaert said “With the conflict raging in Gaza, as well as armed action elsewhere, the Middle East is at a critical juncture, and the same is true for Iraq,” called for restraint.

“With Iraq cloaked in an already complex tapestry of challenges; it is of greatest.

Ms. Hennis-Plasschaert told the Coumncil that “an enabling environment” will be essential for Iraq to continue on the path of stability, which requires restraint from all sides.

“Yes, indeed, from Iraq’s armed actors, and, as might be expected, restraint from Iraq’s neighbours and other countries is just as crucial,” she said.

She called that she has repeatedly said that “messaging by strikes only serves to recklessly heighten tensions, to kill or injure people and to destroy property.”

Jeanine Hennis-Plasschaert pointed to the 28 January attack that killed three US service members, and injured several others, alongside the resulting retaliatory strikes.

“Rather than shows of force, all efforts should centre on safeguarding Iraq from being drawn in any way into a wider conflict,” she said.

She noted that Iran carried out a deadly missile attack on Erbil a few weeks back while Turkish military operations continue in the north.

On “the incendiary potential of retaliatory strikes”, she welcomed the launch of talks between US and Iraqi military officials, noted that “the setting of joint objectives could only be a positive development amid rising tensions.”

Ms. Hennis-Plasschaert reported on positive developments in Iraq.

The local elections were held for the first time in a decade last December which also marked the first vote in the Kirkuk governorate since 2005.

“This electoral process took place in a broadly peaceful and technically sound manner. It marked another milestone in the Government’s efforts to break from past cycles of dysfunction. And we truly hope that the re-establishment of local representative bodies, which have been inactive since 2019, will signify another major step forward,” she said.

The challenges for future elections persist, namely securing higher voter turnout and encouraging those eligible to register, required greater work towards building public trust, she stated

Council wrre told about other positive developments, such as the Iraqi Government’s efforts to strengthen the finance and banking sectors.

“Ambitious construction projects” also continue, such as major housing complexes, along with a commitment to build a thousand new schools by the end of the year.

Yet, Iraq faces obstacles, including “existing feelings of exclusion and marginalization” which often lead to recurring cycles of conflict.

She noted the parliamentary elections in the autonomous Kurdistan region in the north have been postponed several times since October 2022, with a new date to be set.

“And wrangling between Baghdad and Erbil on financial and budgetary issues goes on,” she added.

She stressed that Iraq’s Council of Ministers has set 30 July as the date for the closure of all displacement camps throughout the country, including in the Kurdistan region, some of which are hosting people with alleged ties to ISIL.

UN envoy praised the decision and underscored that it should be complemented with solutions for displaced people outside the camps, while all returns should be safe, voluntary, dignified and inclusive.

Ms. Hennis-Plasschaert noted that it could be the last time she addressed the Council as she is expected to leave office in May after serving for five years.

She expressed hope that one day, people from around the world will get to know the real Iraq “a country of rich diversity and culture, where there are many opportunities to grasp.”