Iraqi Delegation to Visit Iran to Request Further Help in War on ISIL

Parliamentary officials in Iraq said the country is seeking Iran’s further assistance in the ongoing fight against the ISIL terrorists, adding that an Iraqi delegation plans to visit Tehran to the same end.
“An Iraqi delegation from Salahuddin provincial governor council will visit Tehran in the coming days to demand Iran’s help in winning back control over those regions of Salahuddin province which are currently under ISIL control,” Masha’an al-Jabouri wrote on his facebook page.

He reminded the geographical proximity and religious commonalities of Iran and Iraq, and said, “Requesting help from Iran is much more beneficial to Iraq and Salahuddin than asking for the United States’ aid.”

He noted that the Iraqi delegation will also pursue expansion of bilateral ties as well as safety of Iranian pilgrims visiting the holy Shiite shrines in the city of Samarra.

In late January, Iraqi Prime Minister Haidar al-Abadi lauded Iran’s assistance to his country in fighting terrorism, describing Tehran as a reliable military partner.

Speaking at the World Economic Forum in Davos, al-Abadi said that while the West was slow to deliver help to Iraq, Iran was filling the gap.

“I have received quite sizeable (amounts of) ammunition free of charge. And we have been promised deferred payments on some arms sales to Iraq,” he added.

“They (Iranians) have been prompt in sending us arms and ammunition without even asking for immediate payments,” he said in comments likely to be noted in Washington, which worries about the extent of Iranian influence over its neighbor.

Abadi made a special mention of Commander of Iran’s Quds Force Major General Qassem Soleimani as an ally against the ISIL.

“We have respect for him and the Iranian establishment,” he said when asked about the role Major General Soleimani played in the fight against the ISIL.

Al-Abadi further underlined that no Iranian soldier was or had been present on Iraqi soil.

In November, Lieutenant Commander of the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) Quds Force Brigadier General Esmayeel Qa’ani said Baghdad remained untouched by ISIL terrorist group due to Iran’s support and assistance.

“The ISIL terrorists sought to surround Baghdad but they failed in reaching their ominous goals thanks to Iran’s supports,” Qa’ani said in North Khorassan province.

Noting that the ISIL terrorists had been left with no more command center and were searching for new shelters, he said ISIL was becoming weaker and weaker day by day and was being annihilated.