The Iraqi government decided on Tuesday to continue allowing Lebanese nationals arriving at Iraqi border crossings to enter the country. In a press release issued today, the Iraqi government stated, “In view of the difficult circumstances the Lebanese people are enduring due to recent Zionist aggression, and in solidarity and support from Iraq, both government and people, for our brethren in Lebanon, the Prime Minister and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, Mohammed Shia’ al-Sudani, has directed the extension of entry visas for Lebanese nationals present in Iraq without the need for travel for an additional 30 days.”
According to the statement, the duration of stay on Iraqi territory has been extended again, based on the provisions of the Foreigners Residence Law due to the warlike conditions Lebanon is experiencing. The statement also noted that Lebanese nationals who are currently in violation of the law will be exempt from the penalties stipulated by the law.
Today, Baghdad and other Iraqi provinces saw the largest campaigns to collect donations from citizens, companies, organizations, and political and religious groups, including financial donations and supplies of food and medicine, which will be sent by air and land to support the Lebanese people’s resilience against the Israeli aggression.
Lebanon has been experiencing severe escalation along its southern border with Israel. This escalation has been marked by intense and widespread Israeli airstrikes, particularly concentrated in areas close to the Blue Line, the UN-demarcated border between Lebanon and Israel. These hostilities have led to significant civilian casualties and displacement within Lebanon, with recent airstrikes reportedly killing nearly 500 people in one day and wounding over 1,600 others.
The conflict has exacerbated Lebanon’s existing socio-economic crises, leading to heightened humanitarian needs. Nearly 200,000 people have been displaced due to the conflict, with a significant number of these being from regions close to the conflict zones. The UN has been actively calling for escalated efforts to deescalate the situation and protect civilians, stressing the urgent need for diplomatic solutions and increased humanitarian assistance.
