Iran to keep up support for Iraq in anti-terror fight: Envoy
A senior Iranian diplomat has hailed the Iraqi army’s latest gains on the battlefield against Daesh terrorists, saying Tehran will keep up support for the Arab nation in its anti-terror fight.
Iran’s Ambassador to Baghdad Hassan Danaeifar made the remarks in a meeting with Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi in the capital, Baghdad, on Saturday.
According to a statement released by the Iraqi premier’s office following the Saturday meeting, the two sides exchanged views on the fight against terrorism and the Iraqi army’s ongoing anti-Daesh operations.
During the talks, Danaeifar emphasized Iran’s determination “to stand by the Iraqi nation and government in the fight against terrorism” and praised “fresh victories over terrorists.”
The two officials further discussed ways to consolidate bilateral relations and cooperation in the field of electricity as well as the developments in the region.
The northern and western parts of Iraq have been plagued by gruesome violence ever since Daesh terrorists began their reign of terror in the Middle Eastern state in June 2014.
Iraqi army troops, backed by fighters from allied Popular Mobilization Units, have retaken are seeking to win back militant-held regions in joint operations. They have managed to dislodge the militants from several areas over the past few days.
Iran has also been providing advisory aid to Iraq in the fight against terror.
Military vehicles of Iraqi security forces are seen in Fallujah, Iraq, June 25, 2016. ©Reuters
On May 23, the Iraqi forces launched a massive military operation to retake the strategic city of Fallujah, located in the Western province of Anbar.
On June 17, the Iraqi troops raised the national flag on the main government complex in Fallujah, with Abadi congratulating the nation on the liberation of the city, situated roughly 69 kilometers west of the capital Baghdad.
The commander of Iraq’s popular mobilization forces, Hadi al-Ameri, said Fallujah is days away from being fully cleared from Daesh militants.
The Iraqi army is also pressing on with another offensive in the north of Salahuddin Province and the south of Mosul, the capital of Nineveh Province, in its latest push against the extremists.
