Iran, Iraq Weigh Plans for Joint War Games
TEHRAN (Tasnim) – Senior military officials from Iran and Iraq discussed plans for a joint war game and the promotion of defense cooperation between the two neighbors.
During his first official visit to Baghdad, Chief of Staff of the Iranian Armed Forces Major General Mohammad Hossein Baqeri held talks with Chief of the General Staff of the Iraqi Armed Forces Abdel Emir Rashid Yarallah on Sunday.
Highlighting the history of military cooperation between Iran and Iraq in the war against the Daesh (ISIL or ISIS) terrorist group, General Baqeri paid tribute to late Iranian and Iraqi commanders Lt. General Qassem Soleimani and Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis as precious legacies for the two nations.
Expressing the Iranian Armed Forces’ readiness to prevent any threat to Iraq’s territorial integrity and national sovereignty, the Iranian general said the two neighbors can share their experiences in the fight against terrorism.
He also stated that joint military exercises along the common border will guarantee sustainable border security.
For his part, the senior Iraqi commander praised Iran for its sincere cooperation with the Arab nation in the war against Daesh.
General Yarallah also expressed Iraq’s readiness to hold joint military drills, broaden military, defense and training cooperation, and share experiences with Iran.
In 2017, Iran and Iraq signed an agreement to boost military cooperation in a host of fields, including counterterrorism.
Based on the deal, Tehran and Baghdad try to promote interaction and share experiences in the fight against terrorism and extremism, work together to ensure border security, and provide each other with training and logistical, technical and military support.