Iraq
Iraqi National Security Advisor Qasim al-Araji heading a security delegation to Tehran on May 29, 2023. Photo: Qasim al-Araji/Facebook
ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - A security delegation from Iraq headed by the national security advisor arrived in Tehran Monday to discuss tightening the border between the two countries, a week after Iranian warnings that cross-border attacks will continue unless Baghdad and Erbil secure the borders.
“Under the direction of the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces [Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia’ al-Sudani], the National Security Advisor Qasim al-Araji went to Tehran at the head of a security delegation,” state media reported.
Araji’s visit to Tehran follows a visit to Sulaimani on Saturday during which border security was discussed with Iran.
Iran’s intelligence ministry last week renewed their threats against Iraq and the Kurdistan Region, warning that unless the order areas are secured and Iranian-Kurdish opposition groups based in the Region are disarmed, military attacks will continue across the border.
“The visit came to discuss measures to secure the borders between Iraq and Iran,” the statement added.
Araji and Iran’s then-Secretary of the Supreme National Security Council Ali Shamkhani signed a security deal in Baghdad on March 19 in which they agreed to coordinate to protect the shared border.
The agreement is seen as a joint step against Kurdish armed groups opposing the Islamic republic based in the Kurdistan Region. Iran often targets bases of the groups, leading to dozens of casualties.
The Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG), which has cordial relations with Tehran, has on several occasions called on neighboring countries to not use the Region’s land as an arena to settle scores.
“Under the direction of the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces [Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia’ al-Sudani], the National Security Advisor Qasim al-Araji went to Tehran at the head of a security delegation,” state media reported.
Araji’s visit to Tehran follows a visit to Sulaimani on Saturday during which border security was discussed with Iran.
Iran’s intelligence ministry last week renewed their threats against Iraq and the Kurdistan Region, warning that unless the order areas are secured and Iranian-Kurdish opposition groups based in the Region are disarmed, military attacks will continue across the border.
“The visit came to discuss measures to secure the borders between Iraq and Iran,” the statement added.
Araji and Iran’s then-Secretary of the Supreme National Security Council Ali Shamkhani signed a security deal in Baghdad on March 19 in which they agreed to coordinate to protect the shared border.
The agreement is seen as a joint step against Kurdish armed groups opposing the Islamic republic based in the Kurdistan Region. Iran often targets bases of the groups, leading to dozens of casualties.
The Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG), which has cordial relations with Tehran, has on several occasions called on neighboring countries to not use the Region’s land as an arena to settle scores.
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