Voice of America Report: Iraqis Concerned About Israeli Retaliatory Attacks

With the Iranian government's attack on Israel, the 'shadow war' in the region has turned into a direct conflict. People inside Iraq say they have long been in the line of fire, and if the fighting continues in this manner, they too will be harmed. Many leaders in Iraq and other regional countries have deep alliances and special relations with the West, especially with the United States, which has several large military bases in Iraq. However, there are also coalitions that have brought decades of war, insecurity, and widespread poverty, especially for the people of Iraq, who are vulnerable to Israeli retaliatory attacks. Analysts say the Iranian government has become increasingly unpopular in recent years, and further conflicts risk a deeper economic crisis and possibly intensified sanctions that would render efforts for economic improvement fruitless. A saying among the people of Iraq goes, 'Iran and the West will fight until no Iraqi is left alive.' Iraqis, who are literally in the line of fire between the Iranian government and Israel, have witnessed pieces of missiles and drones falling on their country's soil. Ibrahim, a 29-year-old Iranian man in Erbil, the capital of the Kurdistan region of Iraq, is an English teacher who left Iran ten years ago. Ibrahim grew up participating in anti-Western rallies and hearing calls for the destruction of Israel. However, he believes many people in Iran, despite widespread sympathy for the civilians in Gaza, oppose these calls. Ibrahim expresses concern about escalating tensions, especially since Iran has endured decades of economic turmoil that has pushed millions below the poverty line. He stated, 'I don't think the Islamic Republic can enter this war at any point or has the capacity to do so.' He adds that the people of Iran do not feel 'this war is their war.' Mazen Mohammed, a father of two and the public relations officer for a women's rights organization in Baghdad, also said, 'Many people feel insecure and their lives are threatened, especially since Iraq is considered one of Iran's wings.' 32-year-old Gina, who was injured during protests against the killing of Mahsa Amini and fled Iran two years ago, says any international action, including attacks that weaken the Iranian government, is a blessing for human rights in Iran. Gina, who lives in Iraq, shares the concern of the Iraqi people that civilians will ultimately become victims of the war. The U.S. Deputy Representative to the UN: The Iranian government's audacious actions pose a threat to all countries. A new wave of repression against women in Iran; vehicles with IRGC plates have been deployed to identify students' faces. An Iranian-Israeli survivor of the Hamas terrorist attack on Israel: The Islamic Republic does not represent the people of Iran. The Israeli Defense Minister to his American counterpart: We have no choice but to retaliate against the Iranian government's attack. Global condemnation of the attack on Israel; an increasing number of countries are summoning Iranian ambassadors.