Pain and suffering take time to heal, as the Iraqi people know only too well

As he completes his first year in office, Iraq's prime minister writes of how the Israel-Hamas war has rekindled memories of his country's own violent past and how it is trying to rebuild

Few countries have endured the suffering and conflict that Iraq has experienced over the past 50 years. The tragic events in Gaza bring back painful memories for the Iraqi people. Red lines have been crossed, with civilians enduring unimaginable suffering, and as a result there is an urgent need for critical humanitarian assistance.

Here in Iraq, we stand in strong solidarity with the Palestinian people, and our country has committed to providing substantial aid, all the while working with our international partners to bring a swift end to this tragedy.