![Iraqi PM Mohammed Shia' al-Sudani [right] received Iranian FM Hossein Amir-Abdollahian [left] in Baghdad on October 12, 2023. Photo: Sudani's office](/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fimages.rudaw.net%2Fs3%2Frudaw.net%2FContentFiles%2F759841Image1.jpg&w=3840&q=75)
Hossein Amir-Abdollahian, Iranian foreign minister, arrived in Baghdad on Thursday. His meeting with Sudani “involved a comprehensive discussion of the overall bilateral relations between the two nations, as well as regional and international matters,” read a statement from Sudani’s office.
“They also examined recent developments in the Palestinian territories, the blockade enforced by Zionist occupation forces in Gaza, and the challenging humanitarian circumstances faced by the Palestinian people,” added the statement.
Over 2,700 people have been reported dead on both sides since Saturday, when the armed wing of Palestinian Hamas Movement launched a multi-pronged air, ground, and sea offensive and infiltrated Israeli territory. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’ said the following day that his country was “embarking on a long and difficult war.”
Sudani stressed his country’s “unwavering and principled stance in support of the Palestinian people's right to a dignified life and the creation of an independent national state on their historical land,” noted the statement from his office.
Iraqi leaders expressed their support for Palestine soon after the latest tensions erupted between Hamas and Israel.
Supporters of Shiite cleric Muqtada al-Sadir held a protest in Baghdad late Thursday in support of Palestine. The Sadrists are expected to hold larger demonstrations for the same purpose in the capital city on Friday.
LIVE: Supporters of Iraqi cleric Muqtada al-Sadr are protesting in Baghdad in support of Palestine https://t.co/T0PeXo3rM2
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Hamas has called on “resistance fighters” in Arab countries to join its campaign dubbed “Operation al-Aqsa Flood” against Israel, while the US has reiterated its support for Israel, with Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin announcing that Washington would be sending equipment and munitions to Israel, the first shipment of which arrived at Nevatim Air Base in southern Israel on Tuesday.
