Iran Offers to Aid Iraq in War on Terrorism

A senior commander of the Iranian Armed Forces said Tehran is ready to provide Iraq with logistical backup to help the neighboring nation in its war on terrorism, according to FNA.

Deputy Chief of Staff of the Iranian Armed Forces for Logistics and Industrial Research General Mohammad Hejazi pointed to some reports by some Iraqi newspapers that Iraq has asked for Iran’s help to confront the Al-Qaeda terrorist organization, and said, “I am not informed of any such demand, but if Iraq asks for consultation or equipment aid, we will provide it.”

Tensions have been rising over the past few weeks in Anbar, a province that makes up a third of Iraq’s territory along the Euphrates River.

The army launched a major operation in Anbar to flush out Al-Qaeda” militants “after an attack killed at least 18 soldiers, including an army commander on December 21.

Clashes broke out Monday in the Ramadi area, West of Baghdad, as security forces dismantled a protest camp where demonstrators had gathered for more than a year.

Ten “militants” died in the fighting, which also spread to the nearby city of Fallujah.

Protests broke out in the area in December 2012 after the arrest of the guards of then-finance minister, Rafa al-Essawi, on terrorism charges.

Defense Ministry Spokesman Lieutenant General Mohammed al-Askari told state television the decision to remove the camp came after tribal leaders and local government and defense ministry officials reached a deal.

R.S