CAIRO, 23 July 2004 — Egypt and Syria voiced concern yesterday about reports of an Israeli presence in northern Iraq, which they warned could threaten regional stability. But visiting Iraqi Prime Minister Iyad Allawi denied Israelis were on his territory and pledged that the country “will not be used against Arab and Muslim brothers.” Foreign Minister Farouk Al-Shara of Syria, which is still technically at war with Israel, said there was “anxiety” among Iraq’s neighbors about the Jewish state’s reported activities and warned it was trying to fragment Iraq.
“I do not want to exaggerate, there is no real danger at the moment, but we have to pay attention and stay awake,” he said at a joint press conference with his Egyptian counterpart Ahmed Abul Gheit. The US media have reported increased activity by Israelis in Iraqi Kurdistan, suggesting Israeli agents were using the territory to monitor Iran’s nuclear facilities.
One report said Israelis, including members of the intelligence agency Mossad, entered northern Iraq as businessmen to train Kurdish commando units, although the Israelis have dismissed the claims.
