Iraq has announced a firm stance against its citizens participating in armed conflicts abroad, citing legal and security concerns. Joining the armed forces of other countries is considered a clear violation of Iraqi law. This position was expressed by the special committee combating the recruitment of Iraqi citizens, which exposed several cases of Iraqis being sent to fight alongside Russian forces in their war against Ukraine.
The Iraqi decision comes amidst monitoring of information indicating the recruitment of Iraqis to fight in the Russian army. Authorities emphasized that legal sanctions would be imposed on anyone found guilty of involvement, whether in recruitment, combat, or facilitating such actions. This announcement reflects Iraq’s efforts to safeguard its legal sovereignty, prevent the exploitation of its citizens in international conflicts, and protect the country from potential political and security repercussions resulting from Iraqis participating in foreign wars that do not reflect the official stance of the state.
Official decisions to prosecute those involved
A statement from the Iraqi National Security Council revealed that “National Security Adviser Qasim Al-Araji chaired a meeting of the special committee combating the recruitment of Iraqi citizens in the Russian army, attended by representatives from security institutions, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and relevant authorities.”
The statement added that “during the meeting, decisions and measures were taken to address this issue, including the activation of legal provisions of the Iraqi Penal Code, which provides sanctions for any Iraqi citizen joining the armed forces of another country.”
The National Security Council also emphasized “holding travel agencies and entities aiding Iraqi citizens in engaging in such actions accountable, as well as combating the financing, recruitment, and networks involved in this matter.” The committee approved these decisions in their final form, submitted for implementation by the Prime Minister.
On December 26, 2025, Iraqi authorities announced the formation of a committee to address the phenomenon of thousands of Iraqis recruited to fight for the Russian army in the war with Ukraine and to repatriate them. According to previous statements, Iraqi Prime Minister’s Adviser Hussein Alawi stated, “Baghdad closely monitors the recruitment of Iraqis in the Russian army, with almost 5,000 Iraqis recruited, and Baghdad exchanges data with Russia on the issue. Iraq is also taking measures with Moscow to prevent the recruitment of Iraqis in the Russian army.”
Furthermore, the President of the Supreme Judicial Council in Iraq, Judge Faiq Zidan, underscored that “Iraqi criminal law punishes imprisonment for anyone joining the armed forces of another country without the approval of the Iraqi government.”
Warnings about legal and security consequences
Military adviser Major General Safaa Al-Asam stated that “the Iraqi government’s announcement to punish any citizen joining the armed forces of another country represents a significant step in upholding the rule of law and protecting national security. These measures respond to real risks revealed by documented cases of Iraqis participating in combat on the side of the Russian army in the war against Ukraine.”
Al-Asam noted that “the involvement of Iraqi citizens in armed conflicts abroad, especially within regular armies, constitutes a clear violation of existing laws and poses complex legal, diplomatic, and security challenges to the state.”
He added, “The formation of a special committee to combat the recruitment of Iraqi citizens reflects the official recognition of the scale and seriousness of the phenomenon.” Al-Asam emphasized that “some recruitment networks exploit economic difficulties or financial promises to lure young Iraqis to fight with Russian forces, exposing them to future legal consequences and harming Iraq’s international reputation.”
The Iraqi military adviser emphasized, “Deterrent penalties should be imposed not only on individuals but also to cut off recruitment sources, preventing any internal or foreign entity from exploiting Iraqi citizens in conflicts that do not serve the country’s interests. These measures should be accompanied by awareness campaigns explaining the legal and humanitarian risks of such participation and promoting constructive alternatives for youth in Iraq instead of pushing them into foreign wars.”
