Iran says ready to share counter-terrorism experiences with Iraq
Iran’s Major General Mohammad Baqeri, Chairman of the Chiefs of Staff of the Iranian Armed Forces, has announced the country’s readiness to share experiences in the field of defense and counter-terrorism fight.
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Baqeri made the remark in a Monday phone call with new Iraqi Minister of Defense Thabet Muhammad al-Abbasi.
“The Armed Forces of the Islamic Republic of Iran enjoys high potentialities and capabilities in various fields, including the fight against terrorism and defense industry and can transfer this experience and knowledge to the Iraqi armed forces to help bolster security in Iraq,” he said.
He added, “The level of the two countries’ military relations does not conform to my expectations. The two countries' people and armed forces must have excellent relations with each other and [realization of] this issue is among important responsibilities of me and you.”
Baqeri expressed regret that some clauses of a memorandum of understanding signed between the two countries in 2015 to improve defense cooperation have not been implemented, saying Iranian and Iraqi commanders and officials need to hold consultations at various levels to strengthen more effective interaction.
The Iraqi defense minister, for his part, said his country's government and nation would never forget Iran's role in the fight against terrorism and the defeat of the Daesh terrorist group and would always be grateful for the Iranian people and Armed Forces in this regard.
Abbasi added that the Iraqi armed forces are ready to boost military cooperation with Iran.
During a meeting with Iraqi Interior Minister Othman al-Ghanimi in Baghdad in June, Iranian Defense Minister Brigadier General Mohammad Reza Gharaei Ashtiani said Iran's military achievements could effectively help neighboring Iraq beef up security.
“Not only did the Islamic Republic of Iran provide Iraqi armed forces with military facilities and equipment at the time of Daesh invasion of Iraq [in 2014], but Iranian advisors were also present alongside Iraqi fighters on the battlefield,” Iran’s defense chief added.
