The spokesperson for the Iraqi government, Haider Al-Abadi, confirmed today, Wednesday, that the closure of the Al-Shayb border crossing was due to its lack of technical, technological, and developmental readiness. While denying the existence of Houthi headquarters in Iraq, he pointed to the continued coordination with Turkey and Iran to resolve issues concerning armed groups, emphasizing that Iraq will not allow its territory to be used to threaten neighboring countries.
Al-Abadi said in a press statement reviewed by the "Video News Agency" that "the suspension of work at the Al-Shayb crossing represents a step towards raising the level of technical and logistical readiness of the crossing and came due to its lack of technical, technological, and developmental readiness," indicating that "there are more than one border crossing witnessing smooth commercial exchange with Iran."
Regarding circulating news about the existence of Houthi headquarters in Iraq, Al-Abadi clarified that "there are no recognized headquarters in this regard within Iraq, and the matter does not require any governmental direction or decision regarding a non-existent issue," noting that "some insist on clinging to narratives circulated via social media."
He added that "the presence of armed groups from other countries in Iraq contradicts constitutional principles," asserting that "Iraq will not be a launch pad for attacks on neighboring countries, nor will it adopt hosting any armed group involved in a specific conflict."
Al-Abadi pointed to "high-level coordination with Turkey to resolve the issue of the PKK and remove its elements from Iraq, in addition to coordination with Iran through a high committee to resolve the issue of Iranian Kurdish militants within Iraqi territories, specifically in the Kurdistan region."
He confirmed that "all these indicators and governmental directions affirm that the presence of armed elements affiliated with other countries within Iraqi territories will not be allowed," stressing that "Iraq will not permit threats to neighboring countries to originate from its land."