Iraqi Soil Won’t Be Used to Attack Neighbors: Iraqi Defense Ministry

A spokesman for the Iraqi Defense Ministry has condemned a recent statement by US President Donald Trump that American forces must remain in Iraq so Washington can keep a close eye on neighboring Iran, stressing that his country would never allow outsiders to use its territory for military action against any neighbor, Press TV reported.

 The Baghdad government “will not allow anyone to work inside Iraq against any country around us. We have good relations will all of our neighbors,” Major General Tahseen al-Khafaji said in an exclusive interview with Press TV in Baghdad broadcast late on Tuesday.

He further noted that American troops in Iraq, excluding combat forces, are solely training and advising Iraqi government soldiers in the fight against the Daesh Takfiri terrorist group, and providing them with required logistics.

Khafaji then stressed that that the Iraqi army is able to control the country by itself, according to Press TV.

 The senior Iraqi defense official also then hailed Iran’s role in defeating Daesh terrorists.

  “Iran helped Iraq in battles against Daesh. We have advisors from Iran, who working with Iraqi troops. We have good relationship” and are planning to further expand such ties in the future, Khafaji pointed out.

Iraq to continue cooperating with Iran, Russia to eradicate Daesh sleeper cells

The Iraqi Defense Ministry spokesman went on to say that his country will continue to cooperate with Iran and Russia to eradicate Daesh sleeper cells.

Khafaji highlighted that Iraq will keep a close eye on the border with neighboring Syria to prevent possible infiltration of terrorists into the country.

He also praised fighters from the Iraqi pro-government Popular Mobilization Units (PMU) – better known by the Arabic name Hashd al-Sha’abi, stating that they have formally inducted into Iraq’s security system, and are fighting side by side with government troops against Daesh terrorists.

Earlier, Iraqi President Barham Salih had hit back at the US president, saying, “The Iraqi constitution rejects the use of Iraq as a base for hitting or attacking a neighboring country.”

He said Trump had not asked Iraq’s permission for US troops stationed there to “watch Iran.”

In an interview with CBS television network broadcast on February 3, Trump highlighted the importance of a military base in Iraq, saying it was crucial to the surveillance of Iran’s activities.

 In joint statement, Iran, Iraq hail ‘turning point’ in ‘strategic’ cooperation

Tehran and Baghdad have hailed Iranian President Hassan Rouhani’s historic three-day visit to Iraq as a “turning point” in efforts to strengthen “strategic” cooperation between the two neighbors based on non-interference in each other’s internal affairs.

In a joint statement on Tuesday, Iran and Iraq said they discussed regional issues, common challenges, fight against terrorism and ways to promote security, stability and economic cooperation in the region in line with the interests of its nations, Press TV said.

According to the statement, the two sides emphasized the need for the establishment of security in the Middle East as a contributing factor to the region’s economic growth and development.

It added that Iran and Iraq also expressed their firm determination to battle terrorism and organized crimes, which pose a threat to regional security and peace, calling for collective cooperation to uproot terrorism in all political, intellectual and financial aspects.

The two sides said they held important talks in a cordial and constructive atmosphere and expressed their willingness to enhance relations in various spheres, including politics, security, economy, healthcare, trade, culture, science and technology.

Iran and Iraq further emphasized that the 1975 Algiers Agreement and its attached protocols should be carefully implemented with goodwill and agreed to start joint operation to dredge Arvand Roud as soon as possible.

The 1975 Algiers Agreement (commonly known as the Algiers Accord, sometimes as the Algiers Declaration) was an agreement between Iran and Iraq to settle their border disputes and conflicts (such as the Shatt al-Arab, known as Arvand Roud in Iran), and it served as basis for the bilateral treaties signed on June 13, 1975.

‘US, major powers hatching plot after plot against nations’

Earlier on Tuesday, the Iranian president said big powers, particularly the United States, have constantly been hatching plots against Middle Eastern nations.

 “Like in the past, Iran is ready to take steps to solve regional problems and promote dialog and interactions among regional countries,” Rouhani said in a meeting with Leader of Iraq’s National Wisdom Movement Ammar al-Hakim in Baghdad on Tuesday, the second day of his visit to the neighboring country.

H.M