Recently, Iraq's media commission made a significant announcement regarding the license of a Saudi television station operating in the country. This decision followed a disturbing incident where supporters of Iraqi militias raided and looted the office of the broadcaster, MBC, in Baghdad. The protest stemmed from a report by MBC that labeled several Iranian-linked militant figures, including a prominent Iraqi militia leader, as 'terrorists.'
The report mentioned a list of individuals, including former al-Qaida leader Osama bin Laden, Hamas leaders Ismail Haniyeh and Yahya Sinwar, Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah, Iranian Gen. Qassem Soleimani, and Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis, a key figure in the Popular Mobilization Forces and founder of Kataeb Hezbollah.
The Media and Communications Commission of Iraq stated that MBC had violated broadcasting regulations by targeting 'martyrs, leaders of victory, and heroic resistance leaders' who are engaged in a battle against Israel. Consequently, the commission decided to revoke MBC's work license, prompting the station to close its operations.
Following these events, Saudi Arabia's media regulatory authority initiated an investigation into a TV channel for breaching the Kingdom's media regulations and policies. The authority did not explicitly name MBC in its statement.
This incident unfolded amidst escalating tensions in the region due to conflicts between Israel and Hamas in Gaza, as well as Israel and Hezbollah in Lebanon. Iranian-backed militias in Iraq have also been involved, launching drone attacks on U.S. bases in retaliation for American support of Israel and targeting locations within Israel itself in recent months.
