Yemen Monitor/ Baghdad/Private:
The Iraqi government commented on Monday on reports of the opening of a Houthi group office in Baghdad, stating that it deals with the internationally recognized Yemeni government but that there exists a “popular diplomacy.” This comes as the Yemeni armed movement (Houthis) intensifies its activities within Iraq.
The New York Times published a report from Baghdad, stating that Hamas movement and the Yemeni Houthi group have opened offices in the Iraqi capital, revealing Iran’s desire to build its regional bloc.
Hussein Alawi, an advisor to the Iraqi Prime Minister, said in televised statements followed by Yemen Monitor that the Iraqi government deals with countries and diplomacy, and “we deal with the Yemeni embassy, and in August, our ambassador presented his credentials to the Yemeni Foreign Ministry.”
Regarding the presence of the Houthis in an office in Baghdad, he indicated that there is “popular diplomacy and the presence of Yemeni social forces,” saying, “Iraq plays a role in mediation processes and bringing viewpoints closer.”
Alawi added that the Iraqi government “sees political dialogue as a way to end the war in Yemen and is working with the Arab group to restore stability through a natural political system in Yemen.”
Sources tell Yemen Monitor that the Houthi office in Iraq is run by Ahmad al-Sharfi (known as Abu Idris) and deals primarily with security agencies, Iranian-backed militias, and social entities, while Yemeni Ambassador Osama Mahdi Ghanem, representing the internationally recognized government in Aden, deals with the Iraqi Foreign Ministry.
The New York Times explained that Iraqi officials quietly allowed both groups, supported by Iran, a permanent presence in Baghdad since the beginning of this summer, following years of visits by representatives of the movements.
This shift, which Iraqi officials publicly deny, comes even as images of Hamas and Houthi representatives in Iraq circulate on social media, at a time when Iran appears to be encouraging its proxies from different countries to exchange military skills and even coordinate on targets.
In May, the Houthis and Iranian-backed Popular Mobilization Forces announced the coordination of their operations to launch new attacks, raising concerns about their shift to target Gulf Cooperation Council countries after the brutal Israeli war on Gaza Strip.
In late July, a Houthi military commander was killed during a drone testing.
With growing tension in the region, the presence of the Houthis in Iraq could become a burden on the government of Muhammad Shia’ al-Sudani, especially as the Iraqi Prime Minister seeks to enhance his role as a mediator in the region.
