Iraq marks 92nd National Day amid debate over sovereignty
Shafaq News/Foreign intervention in Iraq has been a significant factor shaping thecountry’s political, military, and economic landscape for decades. Fromcolonial rule to recent military operations, external powers have repeatedlyinfluenced Iraq's sovereignty and decision-making, leading to long-standingdebates about the country’s independence and its future.
On October3, Iraq celebrated its 92nd National Day, commemorating its independence fromBritish mandate rule and entry into the League of Nations as a fully sovereignstate.
PrimeMinister Mohammed Shia Al-Sudani declared a public holiday but called offofficial celebrations in solidarity with Lebanon and Palestine, which areenduring severe crises due to the Israeli aggression.
This year,the celebration is accompanied with criticism from lawmakers and politicalobservers.
ForeignIntervention in Iraq
Iraq’smodern history of foreign intervention began with British colonial rule afterWorld War I. The British Mandate over Iraq, which began in 1920, wasestablished under the pretext of aiding the country’s development, but iteffectively limited Iraq’s sovereignty. Despite gaining formal independence in1932 and joining the League of Nations, British influence persisted fordecades, especially in Iraq’s oil industry and military affairs. The 1958revolution, which overthrew the monarchy, marked an important shift, butforeign powers, especially the US and the Soviet Union, continued to vie forinfluence during the Cold War.
The mostdirect and consequential foreign intervention came with the US-led invasion ofIraq in 2003. Under the justification of dismantling weapons of massdestruction and ending Saddam Hussein’s regime, the invasion toppled theBaathist government but plunged Iraq into chaos. The resulting power vacuumallowed for widespread insurgency, sectarian violence, and the rise ofextremist groups like al-Qaeda and later ISIS.
The USmilitary presence in Iraq lasted for years, with thousands of troops stationedin the country to combat insurgents and help stabilize the new Iraqigovernment. Although the US officially withdrew combat forces in 2011, itsinvolvement did not end. Military advisors, airstrikes, and the internationalcoalition against ISIS continued to assert US influence over Iraq’s militaryand political decisions.
On the otherhand, Iran has become one of the most influential regional actors in Iraq sincethe fall of Saddam Hussein. Through close ties with Shiite political parties,military forces, and religious leaders, Iran has managed to exert significantcontrol over Iraq’s political landscape. Tehran’s influence became particularlyevident with the formation of Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF) during thefight against ISIS, many of which are aligned with or backed by Iran, and laterwith the formation of the political group the Coordination Framework whichincludes all Shiite parties but the Sadrist movement. The Framework has amajority in government and parliament.
While somein Iraq view Iran as a strategic ally, particularly against extremist groups,others criticize Iran’s growing influence as a threat to Iraq’s sovereignty.Iranian-backed forces have been accused of operating independently of the Iraqigovernment and undermining the country’s national unity.
Turkiye,another key regional player, has repeatedly intervened in Iraq, primarily totarget Kurdish militant groups such as the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK),which has bases in northern Iraq. Turkish airstrikes and military operations inthe Kurdistan region are frequent, with Ankara justifying its actions asnecessary for its national security. These operations, however, have strainedrelations between Baghdad and Ankara, as Baghdad views them as violations ofits sovereignty.
Foreigninterventions continue to dominate the debate over Iraq’s sovereignty. Protestsin recent years, particularly those in 2019, highlighted public frustrationwith foreign interference, with slogans calling for an end to both US andIranian influence.
AlthoughIraq has made strides towards reclaiming its sovereignty, such as reducing thepresence of foreign troops, the country still faces challenges. US and Iranianinfluence, in particular, continue to shape Iraq’s political landscape.Moreover, Iraq’s reliance on foreign military and economic aid makes itdifficult for the country to fully assert its independence.
CelebratingWith No Sovereignty
IndependentMP Bassem Khashan told Shafaq News Agency, “Sovereignty is a concept merelydebated while violations from Turkiye, Iran, and the US continue.”
Khashanadded, “External forces control Iraq’s fate. Decisions are influenced by SaudiArabia, Iran, or Turkiye, leaving many of Iraq’s decisions disconnected fromtrue sovereignty.”
IndependentMP Yasser Al-Husseini shared similar views, telling Shafaq News that theongoing violations of Iraq's security, economy, and geography show thegovernment lacks control over the country’s sovereignty.
Politicalanalyst Abbas Al-Jubouri also questioned the holiday, noting, “October 3, 1932,marks Iraq’s entry into the League of Nations, but this is not fullindependence.”
Al-Jubouriquestioned Iraq’s current status, adding, “Is Iraq sovereign today? No, thecountry is occupied by various forces—Turkiye, the US, and others. Americanplanes control Baghdad’s skies and conduct airstrikes. How can sovereignty becelebrated?”
“Why celebrate independence and sovereigntywhen Iraq is neither has sovereignty nor independence? The political forceshere are tools for foreign states.”
Despitethese opposed voices, others praised the Iraqi government latest achievements.
On The RightPath
Meanwhile,political researcher Dr. Fadel Al-Hilali argued that Iraq’s National Day marksan important milestone, saying, “The 1932 anniversary symbolizes Iraq’s fullrecognition as a sovereign state.”
Al-Hilaliemphasized the importance of sovereignty’s political, legal, and economicdimensions, noting that “Iraq’s government is making efforts to strengthenthese elements, though challenges remain.”
Internationalrelations professor Dr. Saadoun Al-Saadi stated to Shafaq News Agency thatsovereignty goes beyond celebrations, explaining that “while Iraq hasinternational recognition, past conflicts have invited foreign interventions.”
He praisedthe current government for steps like ending the UNAMI mission and reducing therole of the International Coalition, stating that Iraq is “on the right path”but still faces challenges in building its military capabilities and defensesystems.
