Iraq braces for spillover as Israeli attacks on Lebanon ignite fears
Smoke rises from the site of an Israeli airstrike that targeted a neighborhood in Beirut's southern suburb on October 3, 2024. (AFP Photo)
As Israeli attacks on Lebanon continue in the wake of the Gaza conflict, concerns are mounting among Iraqis about the potential spillover of violence into their country. The Iraqi government has responded by implementing measures to support Lebanon, including allowing Lebanese refugees to enter Iraq without a visa due to the ongoing hostilities.
Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammad Shiya al-Sudani announced that the visas of Lebanese refugees in Iraq would be extended beyond the initial 30-day period without the need for them to leave the country.
Additionally, penalties for those who overstay their visas will be waived, and Lebanese citizens will be permitted to access Iraq’s education system.
Iraqis feel like targets of Israeli aggression
Amid these developments, many Iraqis express concern that Israel may extend its attacks beyond Syria to Iraq. Ali Suheyil from Kirkuk stated that the situation in the Middle East is increasingly complex, with countries being dragged into conflict one by one.
“The wars target all people, including women, children, and the elderly,” he remarked. While he praised Sudani’s humanitarian decision, Suheyil expressed fears of Iraq becoming a target for Israel.
Economic impacts
Iraqi citizen Qais al-Zubeydi noted that the ongoing conflicts are already having a negative impact on Iraq’s economy. “The countries where attacks and wars have started are the countries bordering Iraq. This situation will definitely affect Iraq’s economy,” he said, warning that the Iraqi dinar has already begun to lose value against foreign currencies.
Abdullah Firas, another Iraqi citizen, emphasized the need for Arab nations and the international community to intervene to halt Israel’s escalating aggression.
He expressed concerns that, without such intervention, the violence could devastate the Middle East further. “Inhumane events have been taking place in Gaza for a year, and we are worried that Israeli aggression is expanding,” Firas stated.
Qais Birwari highlighted the precarious situation due to Iraq’s geographic location between Iran and Israel, noting that Iraqi airspace has been closed to flights multiple times in the past month.
This closure has negatively impacted national security and the commercial market. He warned that the region is heading toward military and political chaos and called on the Iraqi government to take necessary steps to ensure stability.
Birwari also noted that while Iraq has made strides toward stability in recent years, the recent escalations in the region are causing serious concern among the Iraqi populace.
