Najaf and UN work to shield Iraq from regional entanglements

Thursday’s meeting between Mohamed Al-Hassan, the UN Special Representative to Iraq, and Sayyid Muhammad Ridha Al-Sistani, the eldest son and close confidant of Grand Ayatollah Ali Al-Sistani, reflects serious efforts to avert the impact of escalating tensions in the region on Iraq. Al-Hassan’s meeting in Najaf underscores the urgency of safeguarding Iraq's security and stability amidst the volatile geopolitical landscape.

At the heart of the discussions was the shared objective of protecting Iraq from becoming embroiled in the ongoing regional conflict. Under Al-Hassan’s leadership, UNAMI has taken on the role of amplifying key messages to both domestic and international audiences, reflecting the shared concerns of the UN and Al-Sistani, particularly the need to distance Iraq from regional turmoil and prioritize Iraq’s national interests.

In a statement delivered after the meeting at a press conference with the Governor of Najaf, Al-Hassan reiterated the vital need for Iraq to avoid serving as an arena for settling scores. This statement reflects Al-Sistani's consistent position that Iraq’s sovereignty and stability must be safeguarded against external interference, especially given the heightened risks posed by the ongoing hostilities between Israel and Iran.

The first of Al-Hassan’s messages was directed at the rebels in Syria who have gained control of the country in the wake of the fall of the Assad regime. He underscored the importance of providing security to all components of Syrian society, particularly emphasizing the necessity of avoiding retribution against specific factions. This message likely reflects Al-Sistani’s deep concerns about the safety of Syria’s Shia minority, a small and vulnerable community that accounts for only around 250,000 people, and is often conflated with the Alawites and associated with Iran. The sectarian dimensions of the Syrian conflict pose a significant risk to Syrian Shias, and ensuring the protection of all minorities is critical to preventing further regional destabilization, which could inevitably spill over into Iraq.

The second message, addressed to Iran and Israel, highlighted Iraq's stance on resisting involvement in their ongoing hostilities. Al-Hassan’s repeated assertion that “Iraq is not to be used as an arena for settling scores on account of any external foreign actors” was a clear reference to Israel and Iran. Al-Sistani’s unease with the possibility of Iran leveraging its proxies in Iraq to bolster its position was heightened by Wednesday’s remarks from Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, who emphasized the importance of resistance groups in securing Iran’s future. Such a strategy risks giving Israel a pretext for extending its aerial rampage into Iraqi territory.

The third and most critical message was directed at Iraq’s political elite, urging them to prioritize national interests and pursue internal reconciliation to shield Iraq from the fallout of regional conflicts. Al-Hassan emphasized the volatile nature of the current situation and the urgent need for Iraq’s leaders to act decisively in preserving the nation’s security and stability. This aligns with Al-Sistani’s broader vision for Iraq, articulated in his November 4 statement following his first meeting with Al-Hassan, which outlined a roadmap for ensuring Iraq’s stability and prosperity. This roadmap emphasized the importance of the rule of law, the need to combat corruption, and the critical necessity of limiting arms to state control. Al-Sistani sought to send a clear message to Iraq’s Shia factions, particularly resistance groups: their actions risk undermining Iraq’s hard-fought gains if they continue to challenge the authority of the state and undermine its monopoly on the use of violence.

Thursday’s meeting, and the messages conveyed, highlight the precarious position Iraq occupies in the region. As tensions mount, the coordination between religious and international leadership is critical to ensuring that Iraq avoids the pitfalls of regional entanglement.