Commander Voices Iran's Opposition to Violation of Iraq, Syria’s Sovereignty
TEHRAN (Tasnim) – A senior Iranian commander censured the US for what he called planning military action against the ISIL militants under “deceitful” justification, stressing that aerial campaign against the terrorist group could by no means justify the violation of Iraq and Syria’s sovereignty.
“The excuse of bombing the ISIL terrorists cannot justify a permission for violating sovereignty of the Syrian and Iraqi governments,” Chief of Staff of the Iranian Armed Forces Major General Hassan Firouzabadi said on Monday.
He also slammed the US and its allies for preparing the ground to hatch a new plot in the region.
He was referring to an ongoing conference in Paris that has brought together members of the so-called US-led coalition to take action against the Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) terrorist group.
“Any action by the US and its allies in the Paris conference should be made in coordination with the legitimate governments of Syria and Iraq and within the framework of international law,” Firouzabadi underscored.
The commander further made it clear that the “military and popular forces” in Syria and Iraq should be given the central role in the fight against foreign-backed terrorists.
The top officer also cautioned that the main objective behind a possible military action by the US and its allies in the region is to carry out “the Greater Middle East” plan and to guarantee security of Israel.
“Creation of the ISIL and the plot to clamp down on it is a deceitful excuse to weaken the Muslims and fulfill the West’s interests,” he added.
The ISIL is a militant group in Iraq and Syria believed to be supported by the West and some regional Arab countries. The terrorist group claims as an independent state the territory of Iraq and Syria, with implied future claims intended over more of the Levant, including Lebanon, occupied Palestine, Jordan, Cyprus, and Southern Turkey.