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ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - Iraq's National Security Service said on Saturday it is monitoring social media and will pursue legal action against any users posting content to incite sectarian and political tensions.

“In light of the repercussions of the current international crisis and the attempts witnessed in the Iraqi arena to mislead public opinion and harm civil and societal peace, the Iraqi National Security Service affirms its careful monitoring of content published on social media sites that aims to incite strife and sectarian and political tensions, distort facts, and falsify realities,” the agency said in a statement.

“Freedom of expression does not mean exceeding legal controls or compromising national security,” it said, adding that legal action will be taken against those threatening “societal peace” or undermining “the unity of Iraq.”

Tensions in Iraq, a close ally of Iran, are high with the conflict between Iran and Israel now in its second week.