Sarcasm and satire dominated comments and responses issued by Iraqi politicians, observers, and activists on the missile attack carried out by Iran against the Ain Asad military base in Iraq’s western Anbar province, which houses Iraqi forces alongside American forces.
While Tehran says that the attack was in retaliation to the killing of its top general, Qassem Soleimani, many Iraqis said the military trades between Tehran and Washington have caused Iraq to lose all remaining sovereignty and prestige.
Soleimani was killed in a US airstrike that targeted him in Baghdad.
Most commentaries focused on the “weak” role played by the outgoing Prime Minister Adil Abdul-Mahdi, some labeling him as a mailman meant to only deliver messages to the warring sides. Abdul Mahdi was informed prior to both the US and Iranian strikes.
Former Prime Minister Ayad Allawi, for his part, voiced disappointment towards the official response made on the Iranian missile attack.
In a tweet, Allawi pointed out that “Iraq has turned, due to wrong policies, to wars and theater to settle scores, the official reaction is disappointing.”
“Did you now know why the Iraqis are demonstrating in the squares, and why do they want a strong and liberal candidate? From the external pressures and influences in order to keep Iraq away from agency wars, the price of which is paid by our honorable people,” he added.
The United Nations Assistance Mission for Iraq has said that attacks on bases situated in the country breach the Iraqi sovereignty and has called on all sides to exercise restraint.
"Recent missile attacks in Erbil and Anbar governorates only escalate conflict, and again violate Iraqi sovereignty. Senseless violence has predictable effects. We call for urgent restraint and a resumption of dialogue. Iraq should not pay the price for external rivalries," the mission said via its Twitter account.
