Iran Reaffirms Support for Iraqis, Regardless of Ethnicity, Faith

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TEHRAN (Tasnim) – An Iranian deputy foreign minister voiced Tehran’s support for neighboring Iraq’s unity and territorial integrity, stressing that such help is provided not only for the central government, but also for Kurds, Sunni Muslims, Christians, Izadis and other Iraqi ethnic groups.
Iran’s Deputy Foreign Minister for Arab and African Affairs Hossein Amir Abdollahian in a meeting with Secretary General of Kurdistan Islamic Union (KIU) Mohammad Faraj Ahmad Aziz, held in Tehran on Sunday, reiterated Iran’s support for security and stability in Iraq on the basis of good neighborliness.
The Iranian diplomat also gave an assurance that Tehran will continue assisting the Iraqi nation and government in the fight against terrorism.
The visiting Kurdish official, for his part, hailed Iran’s “key role” in the region and expressed gratitude for Iran’s “effective, prompt and timely supports” for the cities of Erbil and Baghdad when Iraq was in dire need of help in the battle against the ISIL terrorists.
Since early 2014, Iraq has been facing a growing militancy by the Takfiri ISIL terrorist group and its allied militants, who have taken over areas in the country’s west and north. The crisis deteriorated in June, when the ISIL declared a so-called caliphate in the territories they had seized.
The ISIL terrorists have also threatened other communities, including Shiites, Sunnis, Kurds, Christians, and others, in Iraq.
Back in December 2014, Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi lauded Iran for standing by his country in very critical conditions, when other countries were hesitant to help the Arab nation in the face of threats posed by terrorists.
He said Iran rushed to help Iraq and “never ever had any doubts” even about assisting the Kurdish residents of Erbil when the city faced the threat of ISIL militants, while Americans were hesitating over whether to support Baghdad or not when the capital city was in jeopardy.

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