Iran, Iraq Sign Deal to Step up Military Cooperation

Local Editor

The Iranian and Iraqi governments sealed an agreement to boost military cooperation and to battle against "terrorism and extremism", Iranian media reported.

The memorandum of understanding on defense and cooperation was signed Sunday during a meeting between Iraqi Defense minister Major General Erfan al-Hiyali and his Iranian counterpart Brigadier General Hossein Dehqan.

A delegation of high-ranking Iraqi military officials had arrived in Tehran Saturday.

"The expansion of cooperation and sharing experiences in the fields of fight against terrorism and extremism, border security, training, logistics, technical and military supports were included" in the memorandum, the IRNA news agency reported.

The two ministers further expressed hope that the agreement will lead to more serious and deep collaboration between Tehran and Baghdad.

The Iraqi defense minister also thanked Iran for its help in fighting Daesh [the Arabic acronym for the Takfiri ‘ISIS/ISIL' group] adding, that the Iraqi Army will respond "to any aggression and occupation of its territory and will not permit formation of new seditions and breach of law aimed at partitioning of the country."

Al-Hiyali further stressed the crucial role of the Iraqi Popular Mobilization Forces in the liberation of Mosul, stressing that "nobody is permitted to dismiss popular forces because they act based on law," according to IRNA.

Source: News Agencies, Edited by website team