Baghdad

The participation of an Iraqi military officer in full official uniform at a meeting of the Saudi-led coalition supporting the so-called “legitimate government” in Yemen, held in Riyadh, has sparked widespread anger among the Iraqi public and political circles.

Meanwhile, several media platforms have circulated unconfirmed reports suggesting that 40 Iraqi officers may be sent to Saudi Arabia as military advisers.

Details of the Incident

Iraqi MP Hamed al-Moussawi, a member of the Badr Organization, revealed that he had submitted two formal requests to the ministers of defense and foreign affairs, demanding an investigation into the participation of an Iraqi military official in uniform at a conference organized by the coalition supporting the Yemeni government.

Al-Moussawi demanded clarification regarding which authority had authorized the officer’s attendance and called for Iraq’s official diplomatic position on the matter to be established. He described the participation as a violation of Iraq’s policy of non-involvement in regional conflicts.

He pointed out that the officer had attended an event associated with the Saudi-led coalition backing the Riyadh-supported Yemeni government against the government in Sanaa, a move many Iraqis viewed as a departure from Baghdad’s officially declared position.

Separately, several media platforms circulated reports suggesting that 40 Iraqi military officers could travel to Saudi Arabia next Saturday to serve as military advisers in the military campaign against Yemen. These reports remain unconfirmed.

Baghdad Caught Between Riyadh and Washington’s Pressure and Its Steadfast Support for Sanaa

Iraq’s official position, which generally leans toward Riyadh, does not reflect the broader public sentiment in the country. Several Iraqi officials have openly expressed their support for the Yemeni cause and solidarity with Sanaa, a position also reflected in popular demonstrations where the flags of Ansar Allah have been prominently raised, reaffirming the deep-rooted historical ties between Iraq and the Arabs of southern Arabia.

These ties have not been limited to popular sentiment or historical solidarity. Rather, they have evolved into tangible cooperation on the ground, with indications dating back at least to the September 2019 Aramco attacks, when Saudi Arabia pointed the finger at Baghdad. Saudi accusations subsequently reached a peak in April 2026.

At that time, Riyadh recalled its ambassador from Baghdad over what it described as “continued attacks,” while the Saudi Ministry of Defense announced that it had intercepted and destroyed drones allegedly launched from Iraqi territory to target petroleum facilities in the Eastern Province and Riyadh.

Regardless of Iraq’s official position, which firmly rejects allowing its territory to be used as a launchpad for attacks against Saudi Arabia or other regional states, these accusations suggest that Iraqi support for Sanaa extends beyond popular sympathy and has become a tangible factor in the regional equation.

This places the Iraqi government between mounting regional and international pressure on one side, and a public sentiment and segment of the political establishment supportive of the Yemeni cause on the other.

Against this backdrop, the appearance of an Iraqi officer in official uniform at a meeting of the Riyadh-led coalition appears to represent a departure from this position. The incident also bears the apparent fingerprints of Tom Barrack, the US presidential special envoy to Syria and Iraq, who is seeking to pull Baghdad into full alignment with the coalition against Yemen, contrary to the sentiments of much of the Iraqi public and political forces sympathetic to Sanaa.

Barrack reportedly delivered fresh warnings to Baghdad concerning the activities of armed groups operating outside the official command structures of Iraqi factions, amid fears that these groups could be used to open new regional military fronts in coordination with Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) and Ansar Allah.

The American message reportedly emphasized the need to prevent military operations launched from Iraqi territory against neighboring countries, particularly Saudi Arabia. Washington also stressed that the Iraqi government would be expected to take preemptive measures to prevent the country from becoming a platform for cross-border attacks.

Iraq now stands at a crossroads.

On one side is an official position increasingly inclined toward Riyadh, seeking every opportunity to normalize and strengthen relations. On the other is an Iraqi public and a segment of the political establishment determined to preserve their historical ties with Yemen, viewing any military involvement against Sanaa as a violation of established national principles.

Between these competing positions, Tom Barrack’s influence appears evident in efforts to reshape regional alignments and draw Iraq into a US-backed de-escalation framework that serves Washington’s broader regional vision.

At a time of growing regional pressure, the need for an independent Iraqi position in support of Yemen’s rights and the government in Sanaa has become increasingly urgent.

russia–ukraine War Alert | Belgium Pledges 10 f-16 Fighters as Europe Prepares New Sanctions Against Moscow

October 16, 2026 | Brussels, Belgium

Two consequential military and diplomatic developments have been confirmed in newly published reporting.

1. Belgium pledges 10 F-16 fighter jets to Ukraine

Belgian Prime Minister Bart De Wever announced that Belgium intends to deliver 10 F-16 fighter jets before the end of 2026, following talks with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on October 15.

The commitment updates Belgium’s earlier delivery timetable.

• Deliveries were delayed by the arrival schedule of Belgium’s replacement F-35 aircraft.

• Additional F-16 ammunition supplies were discussed.

• De Wever specifically identified Russian jet-powered drones as a threat the aircraft could help counter.

Military significance: Ten additional fighters could strengthen Ukraine’s air-defense capacity, although operational readiness and ammunition availability will determine their effectiveness.

2. EU prepares 22nd sanctions package against Russia

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen announced in Brussels on October 16 that the EU is preparing its 22nd sanctions package against Moscow.

She declared that European sanctions would not be lifted unless Russia ended the war.

The announcement comes amid disagreements between Washington and European governments over US sanctions relief affecting Russian diesel.

Meanwhile, Zelenskyy requested approximately €70 billion in additional European support for 2027.

⚠️ Strategic assessment

Europe is attempting to reinforce Ukraine’s military capabilities while maintaining economic pressure on Russia despite Washington’s changing approach.

The F-16 commitment is a concrete military pledge; the sanctions package remains a proposal under preparation.