ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi said the Iraqi military has established plans to go beyond its borders and may enter Syria in an attempt to fight against terrorism.
“The situation in Syria remains a real challenge and we are focused on finding a solution,” Abadi said, speaking to reporters during his weekly press conference on Sunday night.
“We have gone from fighting terrorism in Iraq to fighting terrorism in Syria,” Abadi said, adding that they are pondering plans to this regard.
He explained that the matter in question was discussed on Saturday with Iraqi military commanders for countering terrorism beyond Iraq’s borders.
“Our project has developed from fighting terror in Iraq to fighting terror in the region,” the premier claimed, saying their aim is not to violate other countries sovereignties.
“We do not want to exceed our limits, and we will not transgress those of other countries,” the prime minister emphasized, saying his country is playing a pivotal role in countering terrorism.
ISIS overran much of Iraq in 2014. Iraqi and Kurdish Peshmerga forces backed by the international coalition liberated the country's second-largest city of Mosul in July of 2017 after a nine-month joint offensive.
Abadi’s claims come amid growing ISIS sleeper cell hit and run attacks near Kirkuk and elsewhere in Iraq even though he declared the total liberation of the country from ISIS in December 2017.
In his speech, he admitted the presence of ISIS in some parts of the country but vowed to purge them.
“I ensure the citizens that our security forces are in control of all of areas in Iraq,” Abadi claimed.
He also touched upon the upcoming Iraqi elections set to take place on May 12.
"I urge all people to obtain their [voter] cards as soon as possible so that they do not give the opportunity to fraudulent [individuals] to steal them,” he said.
The premier added that anyone caught buying or selling voter cards may face up to 15 years of imprisonment.
“The situation in Syria remains a real challenge and we are focused on finding a solution,” Abadi said, speaking to reporters during his weekly press conference on Sunday night.
“We have gone from fighting terrorism in Iraq to fighting terrorism in Syria,” Abadi said, adding that they are pondering plans to this regard.
He explained that the matter in question was discussed on Saturday with Iraqi military commanders for countering terrorism beyond Iraq’s borders.
“Our project has developed from fighting terror in Iraq to fighting terror in the region,” the premier claimed, saying their aim is not to violate other countries sovereignties.
“We do not want to exceed our limits, and we will not transgress those of other countries,” the prime minister emphasized, saying his country is playing a pivotal role in countering terrorism.
ISIS overran much of Iraq in 2014. Iraqi and Kurdish Peshmerga forces backed by the international coalition liberated the country's second-largest city of Mosul in July of 2017 after a nine-month joint offensive.
Abadi’s claims come amid growing ISIS sleeper cell hit and run attacks near Kirkuk and elsewhere in Iraq even though he declared the total liberation of the country from ISIS in December 2017.
In his speech, he admitted the presence of ISIS in some parts of the country but vowed to purge them.
“I ensure the citizens that our security forces are in control of all of areas in Iraq,” Abadi claimed.
Abadi also denied that there is a ban by the US on the Iraqi Air Force flying over the Hamrin Mountains and parts of the Anbar dessert.
"This is a part of the propaganda,” he said, adding the fact is that “there is a ban on American jets over Iraq."
"Now when they want to fly over Iraq, they need our permission," he claimed. "Every American military air flight has to get permission from Iraq. Iraqi sovereignty exists over everyone.”
He also touched upon the upcoming Iraqi elections set to take place on May 12.
"I urge all people to obtain their [voter] cards as soon as possible so that they do not give the opportunity to fraudulent [individuals] to steal them,” he said.
The premier added that anyone caught buying or selling voter cards may face up to 15 years of imprisonment.
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