Iran role in Iraq positive: Iraq defense chief

Iraq’s Defense Minister Khalid al-Obeidi has praised Iran’s role in the fight against the ISIL Takfiri group in the Arab country.

“We have solicited help from many of the countries that we have a strategic relationship with,” the Iraqi defense minister said dung a press conference in the Iraqi capital, Baghdad, on Monday, adding that Iran has played “a very positive role” in helping Iraq in the fight against the Takfiri terrorists.

Iran has repeatedly stressed that it will not interfere militarily in Iraq, but that it will continue to provide support for both countries against ISIL in the form of defense consultation and humanitarian aid.

“We appreciate all this help. We are in a state of war and we look to our friends to help us in this confrontation,” he added.

In a meeting with Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif in the Iraqi capital last month, Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi lauded Iran helping his country counter terrorism, calling for promotion of ties between the two neighboring states in all areas.

The Iranian foreign minister also assured the Iraqi premier that Tehran will not leave Baghdad alone in the fight against terrorism.

The Takfiri ISIL terrorist group started its campaign of terror in Iraq in early June 2014. The heavily-armed militants took control of the city of Mosul before sweeping through parts of the country’s Sunni Arab heartland.

The militants have been carrying out horrific acts of violence, including public decapitations, against all Iraqi communities such as Shias, Sunnis, Kurds and Christians.