Baghdad protesters condemn Israeli threats

BAGHDAD - Over a hundred people gathered at Baghdad's Tahrir Square on Saturday to protest against Israel's threat to attack.

"We condemn and reject the threats of Zionism against the Iraqi people, as they are saying that they are about to strike us," said Sheikh Zarkham Quraishi, imam of the Husseini mosque in Baghdad.

"Iraq should reveal its position in terms of reacting to the threats and violations against its sovereignty," Quraishi added.

On Monday, Israeli foreign minister Gideon Sa'ar called on the United Nations Security Council to pressure Baghdad to end militia attacks against Israel and warned that it has the right to defend itself based on the UN Charter.

Iraqi Foreign Minister Fuad Hussein said on Friday that Israel has made "serious, clear and tangible" threats.

The administration of United States President Joe Biden has warned officials in Baghdad that Iraq could face an Israeli strike should they fail to prevent attacks by Iranian-backed Iraqi militia groups.

Iraqi militias, in support of Gaza, have carried out drone and missile attacks against Israel. Last month, the Israeli army announced that two ofits soldiers were killed and 24 others were injured when a suicide drone launched from Iraq hit a military base in the Golan Heights.

Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani has directed security forces to prevent any military activity outside the control of the state, his spokesperson Major General Yahya Rasul said on Tuesday.

Protesters in Baghdad also expressed support for proposed amendments to the Personal Status Law that could legalize child marriage for girls as young as nine and boys as young as 15, undermine the principle of equality before the law, and remove protections for women regarding divorce and inheritance, according to Human Rights Watch.

The protesters defended the proposed amendments, labeling them "constitutional" and also accused international organizations of interfering with Iraq's social and family affairs.

The Iraqi parliament is expected to vote on the changes this week.

Rekar Aziz contributed to this report