IRGC Commander Hails Iraqi Army’s Victories Against Terrorists
TEHRAN – Lieutenant Commander of the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) Brigadier General Hossein Salami in a meeting with Iraqi Defense Minister Khalid al-Obeidi lauded the Arab country’s army for its victories against the terrorist groups, specially the ISIL.
During the meeting in Tehran on Wednesday, Obeidi underlined that Iran would spare no efforts in assisting the central government of Iraq in maintaining unity, national security and social balance.
He described success of the Iraqi military forces against Takfiri terrorists in different areas of the country ‘promising‘.
The general stressed that from the Zionist geo-political viewpoint, the Islamic countries should be small and disintegrated and stability and security should not exist in these states.
He underlined that Iran will do its utmost to help Iraqi military and government.
In relevant remarks in November, Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi lauded Iran for its support and assistance to Baghdad in fighting terrorism, and said he would never be coaxed into destroying or undermining relations with Iran for some short-term benefits.
“I will not spoil my ties with Iran for the sake of certain sides,” Abadi said in an interview with al-Mayadeen news channel.
“At present we are facing a life and death battle and Iran has stood beside us in this war,” he added.
Also earlier this month, Lieutenant Commander of the IRGC Quds Force Brigadier General Esmayeel Qa’ani said Baghdad remained untouched by ISIL terrorist group due to Iran’s support and assistance.
“The ISIL terrorists sought to surround Baghdad but they failed in reaching their ominous goals thanks to Iran’s supports,” Qa’ani said in North Khorassan province.
Noting that the ISIL terrorists had been left with no more command center and were searching for new shelters, he said ISIL was becoming weaker and weaker day by day and was being annihilated.
Iraqi MP lauds Iran’s key role in fighting ISIL
Meanwhile, a senior Iraqi legislator appreciated Iran for its assistance to Baghdad in fighting the ISIL terrorist group, and underlined Tehran’s pivotal role in the freedom of Iraqi cities from the hands of terrorists.
Iran has played a considerable and effective role in the freedom of many Iraqi cities from the ISIL’s control, Entesar al-Jabouri said in an interview with Soumeriya News on Wednesday.
She said that Iran played a consultative role in assisting the Iraqi popular forces to free many cities and towns.
Her remarks came after Iraqi Defense Minister Khalid al-Obeidi underlined that his country needed Iran’s cooperation in its ongoing fight against the Takfiri terrorists.
“We do not see any other option than cooperation and being on the same side (with Iran) to uproot the terrorists,” al-Obeidi said, addressing a joint press conference with his Iranian counterpart Brigadier General Hossein Dehqan in Tehran on Tuesday.
He underlined the need for broadening defense cooperation between Baghdad and Tehran in the campaign against their common enemy.
His remarks came after he and Dehqan signed an agreement on expanding defense cooperation.
On Monday, in a meeting with General Dehqan in Tehran, al-Obeidi described Tehran’s growing military aid to Baghdad as a strategic necessity.
“Today, Iraq is engaged in fierce fighting in the three fronts of campaign on terrorism and corruption as well as reconstruction of the country, and we seek Iran’s assistance, support and partnership in these three fronts and have pinned much hope on the Islamic Republic of Iran’s positive role,” Obeidi said.
“We assume Iran’s increased support for the Iraqi armed forces as a strategic necessity,” he added.
Obeidi appreciated Iran for its help and military advice to the Iraqi army in the past, and said, “By visiting Iran, we underscore the Iraqi government, nation and armed forces’ determination to expand relations with Iran and we believe that developing ties between Iraq and Iran will benefit both nations.”
FNA
R.S