Iraqi Foreign Minister Fuad Hussein stated , that Iraq has escaped war but still faces the risk of its outbreak. He also noted that Baghdad has emphasized to Tehran that the issue of factions is a domestic matter.
In a press interview, Hussein remarked, "Iraq escaped war but continues to face the risk of its ignition. The world now looks at us differently, but Iraqis have their own problems with armed factions, and no one else will solve them for them.
Repeating the phrase, "How do we protect Baghdad from fire?" he recalled every night his country endured in 2024, asking, "How did we reach this moment? It has come at a significant and bloody cost.
Despite his concerns, Hussein expressed optimism, referring to what he described as the "Iraqi prophecy" proposed since October 2023: "Every war breeds another war, and there will be more.
Regarding the agreement with Britain, Hussein described it as "historic but not in anticipation of Trump’s return." He explained that it reflects the long-standing history of relations between the two countries.
He added, "Instead of collective agreements with coalition countries fighting ISIS, we proposed establishing separate security agreements with various countries. We began discussions with France and Germany and now with Britain to reach agreements on handling security matters.
The minister emphasized, "This is not about preparing things before Trump reaches the White House. All the proposals concern Iraqi policy, Iraq's situation, and its bilateral relations with influential countries.
On Iraq's leadership of the China +77 group at the United Nations, he said, "We are talking about Iraq leading a group within the UN framework, the largest bloc representing the Global South. This leadership opens the door to distinguished diplomatic relations with the Global North to promote global peace and security, strengthening Iraq's regional and international position and enhancing its relations, including with the United States.
He added, "Presiding over this bloc will be crucial for Iraq in the 'day after the war,' reflecting how the world now evaluates Baghdad.
Regarding Trump’s potential return, Hussein urged a consideration of the region’s geography and the dynamics of politics, emphasizing that "Donald Trump is the choice of the American people through a democratic process, and we respect that. As for U.S. policy towards Iran, amid tensions, it impacts the entire region, with Iraq at its core, given its historical, geographical, cultural, and economic ties with Iran and its strong past and present relations with the Americans, who have helped us combat terrorism under clear agreements."
Hussein expressed hope that relations between the two parties would remain dialogical to reach specific solutions but voiced concerns about ongoing tensions. He noted his relief that political discussions in Iraq now address the issue of balance among conflicting parties, which requires multiple steps. This type of discussion, he said, was not easy in the past.
He explained, "We launched an extensive media campaign to convince the public that we are in danger. If you cannot convince your own people, you cannot convince others. We succeeded in conveying the message, though it was initially challenging and not well understood by some. But we succeeded in alerting everyone that Iraq is in danger and must steer clear of war.
Despite the sensitivity of the issue, he observed, "Iraqis are now openly discussing ways to deal with armed groups outside state control, motivated by the Najaf religious authority's call to restrict arms to the state.
He elaborated, "Should we build a state or continue fighting in specific arenas? A state cannot be a mixture of statehood and elements that undermine it. We need internal agreements based on the principle that no external force can impose violence or war. This is not acceptable. Discussions have been ongoing even before recent events. We need time to reach results. We are obligated to specific mechanisms, with various proposals under consideration—for example, integrating factions into the Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF), which is legally part of the armed forces, or having the factions hand over their weapons to the PMF and transition to political entities. There are many ideas, but ultimately, we need internal agreements to avoid creating conditions that could lead to internal conflict. That is unacceptable.
Regarding ongoing threats to Iraq, he said, "Yes, the threat still exists. I am not talking about its degree, but the threat itself. Internal discussions are driven by Iraq’s needs rather than external pressures.
He added, "I was with the prime minister in Tehran on January 8, where we reiterated that while many countries offer their views on Iraq’s internal situation, our issues remain Iraqi affairs alone. This applies to everyone. Publicly, there are Iranian positions on certain matters that conflict with our vision. However, the final decision must be Iraqi.
Hussein stressed the importance of "Iraqi sovereignty" and noted that Baghdad managed to avoid the flames of war. "The government faced very difficult times due to internal circumstances and surrounding conditions, but it succeeded. Although tension remains despite the ceasefire agreement, we are making progress.
Reflecting on 2024, he described it as "extremely challenging," highlighting that Iraq dealt with power centers and nations with which it lacked strong ties. "Iraq remains in a volatile region. The question persists: How do we protect ourselves from this fire? The efforts we made last year will need to be doubled moving forward to maintain Iraq’s stability, away from wars and conflicts.
On developments in Syria, Hussein emphasized that "no one understands the will of the Syrian people better than Iraqis, who have experienced dictatorship and fought against the Baath Party for decades.
He described the fall of Bashar al-Assad as a "natural outcome" of various factors, including the regime and army’s collapse and the Syrian people's suffering under tyranny, isolation, and oppression. He attributed change in Syria to both the people's struggles and external interventions, noting that without such interventions—similar to those in Iraq—change would not have been possible.
Regarding Iraq’s reservations about Syrian developments, Hussein remarked, "We await the start of a political process in Syria. Currently, Damascus’s administration shows positive intentions, but stabilizing the regime requires extensive tools. Syria is now destroyed, and reconstruction demands joint efforts and international support. Without global backing, Syria’s rebuilding is impossible.
He mentioned discussions at the Riyadh Arab foreign ministers' meeting, expressing hopes for answers to the questions raised about Syria’s future political process and national conference.
Hussein refuted the notion that Iraq is uninvolved in Syria, highlighting the interconnected nature of their security. "When the Syrian army collapsed, ISIS gained new positions, increasing its numbers and acquiring new weapons. Some leaders returned from abroad to rejoin the group. How can we not be concerned? They are close to our borders. The potential resurgence of terrorism poses a threat to neighboring countries, including Iraq, Jordan, and Lebanon.
He explained, "We understand Syria’s situation but approach discussions with them based on different principles compared to other countries. Our concern is for the Syrian people's welfare and stability. A stable Syria means a stable Iraq.
Hussein emphasized Baghdad’s continued engagement with Damascus, citing positive discussions with Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad Al-Shibani during the Riyadh meeting.
On Kurdish dialogue, he advocated for "Kurdish-Kurdish dialogue within Syria and dialogue between Kurdish leadership in Iraq’s Kurdistan region and Syrian Kurds, given the significant impact of 250,000 Syrian refugees residing in Kurdistan since 2019.
He concluded by summarizing Iraq’s "complex political roles" in mitigating war risks: "No task is more intricate than balancing internal conditions and external transformations. Iraq has relationships with the U.S., the West, Russia, the Gulf, and Iran. This is Iraq’s reality. Managing everyone’s contradictions and conflicts requires precise political actions to maintain balance."