Military, Relief Operations in Iraq Should Be Coordinated with Baghdad: Iranian Diplomat
TEHRAN (Tasnim) – Iranian Ambassador to Paris Ali Ahani said any military operations in Iraq against Daesh (ISIS or ISIL) terrorist group or any move to provide humanitarian aid to the northern city of Mosul should be carried out in coordination with the Arab country's central government.
Addressing an international meeting held in Paris on Thursday about the Daesh-held city of Mosul, Ahani slammed certain Western countries for making unilateral measures in the anti-Daesh campaign in Iraq and said, “Any military or relief operations in Iraq should take place in full coordination with Iraq’s central government.”
He further called on the courtiers that have played a negative role in the Iraqi crisis to seriously fight against Daesh militants and do not allow them to move to other districts.
Ahani also reiterated the importance of supporting the Iraqi government and people in the anti-terrorism campaign, and said, “As long as the Iraqi government deems it necessary, the Islamic Republic of Iran will continue supporting and providing humanitarian aid to (the Arab country).”
The Iraqi army launched the offensive on October 16 aimed at wresting Mosul from the hands of Daesh.
Iraq has been facing the growing threat of terrorism, mainly posed by the Daesh terrorist group.
Daesh militants made swift advances in much of northern and western Iraq over the summer of 2014, after capturing large swaths of northern Syria.
However, a combination of concentrated attacks by the Iraqi military and the volunteer forces, who rushed to take arms after top Iraqi cleric Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani issued a fatwa calling for fight against the militants, have blunted the edge of Daesh offensive.
Amid tensions in Iraq, Iran is known as the first country to help the Arab country and has always voiced support for Iraq’s solidarity and prosperity.
