Iran condemns destabilizing Iraq
Iran condemns destabilizing Iraq
Iran on Sunday condemned destabilizing Iraq after ISIS terrorists mounted a coordinated deadly assault in two Iraqi cities.

TEHRAN (Iran News) – Iran on Sunday condemned destabilizing Iraq after ISIS terrorists mounted a coordinated deadly assault in two Iraqi cities.

“Iran supports Iraq’s efforts in the fight against terrorism and the establishment of peace and stability in the country and condemns any attempt for destabilizing Iraq,” Foreign Ministry spokesman Seyyed Abbas Mousavi said in a statement.

Mousavi slammed the “cowardly act” by ISIS terrorists that led to the killing of at least 10 fighters of the Popular Mobilization Units (PMU) or Hashd al-Sha’abi in the Salahuddin town of Mekeeshfa and the city of Balad.

The spokesman expressed hope that Iraq would get rid of the remnants of “vicious terrorist group” as soon as possible with joint efforts of the Iraqi government and people.

Hashd al-Sha’abi said its forces had killed and wounded a number of ISIS elements and pushed them back.

Iraq’s Prime Minister-designate Mustafa al-Kadhimi paid tribute to families of the victims.

“It is with great sadness, we received news of the martyrdom of a group heroes from among the Hashd al-Sha’abi who died defending their homeland.”

Reviving ISIS

Iraq’s Badr Organization, which is part of the PMU, said the US and Saudi Arabia are seeking to reactivate ISIS, adding that recent attacks by the terrorist group serve that aim.

Speaking to Arabic-language Al-Maalomah news agency, Mohammed Mahdi al-Bayati, a senior leader in the Badr Organization, revealed fresh attempts by Washington and Riyadh to facilitate the return of fugitive ISIS terrorists to Iraq.

The latest deadly terrorist attacks, which were conducted on Iraqi soil with the US and Saudi backing, were part of a plot to bring ISIS back, he added.

Bayati also noted that renewed US-Saudi support for Daesh is similar to that of 2014 when the terrorist outfit unleashed a campaign of death and destruction in Iraq and overran vast swathes in lightning attacks.

He further raised concerns about possible terrorist attacks in the provinces of Salahuddin, Kirkuk, and Anbar.

Mohanad Najim Aleqabi, the director-general of the Hash al-Sha’abi media war, told Al Maydeen TV channel that the ISIS attack in Salahuddin was carried out from four fronts.

Some of the equipment used by ISIS elements were new, he said, adding that most terror groups entered Iraq from Syria after the US facilitated their passage.

The fresh ISIS attack comes at a time when American forces are required to leave Iraq based on a parliamentary resolution approved in January following the US assassination of senior Iranian anti-terror commander Lieutenant General Qassem Soleimani.

The US has not only defied calls to withdraw from Iraq but also reinforced its military presence there by deploying troops and equipment.

Press TV contributed to this story.

  • source : Iran Daily, Irannews