Senior Iraqi Politician: Iran Only True Supporter of Iraq in War on ISIL

Head of Iraq’s al-Anbar Salvation Council Sheikh Hamid al-Hais underlined that Iran is the only country which has sincerely helped Iraq in its campaign against the ISIL terrorist group.
“Iran has helped Baghdad in fighting the ISIL more than other countries which claim to be supporters of Iraq,” Hais said on Tuesday.

“Our Iranian brothers have cooperated with us more than others in the war on ISIL and other countries which are engaged in this war are lying,” he added.

In relevant remarks 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.