Iraqi authorities have successfully disarmed groups operating in regions adjacent to Iran. This announcement was made by Iraq's Foreign Minister Fuad Hussein during a press conference in Tehran, following discussions with his Iranian counterpart Hosein Amir Abdollahian.
"We are steadily progressing towards the agreement's ultimate objective, following the established plan," he stated, as reported by Iraq's INA news agency. "The groups situated along the Iraq-Iran border have been successfully disarmed, and we have also established refugee camps, which will operate under the supervision of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR)," Hussein elaborated. He emphasized that this agreement's implementation is a collaborative effort with the government of Iraqi Kurdistan.
"It is absurd that our bilateral relations are excellent, yet the sovereignty of Iraq and Iraqi Kurdistan remains threatened by the possibility of bombing or military intervention," Hussein emphasized. He urged for a peaceful resolution of issues and the abandonment of the use of force.
Abdollahian stated that Iran takes its national security seriously, as reported by Fars News Agency. He expressed satisfaction with the valuable information provided by senior Iraqi government officials, including Foreign Minister Fuad Hussein, regarding the withdrawal of terrorist groups from areas near Iran's borders, their relocation deeper into Iraqi territory, and ongoing disarmament efforts. The Iranian foreign minister also mentioned that the forthcoming days will witness the full implementation of the next steps outlined in the agreement.
During Hussein's visit to Tehran earlier on Wednesday, Iran's Tasnim news agency reported that the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), Iran's elite military units, is mobilizing equipment and weapons along the border with Iraq as the deadline for the Iraqi authorities to disarm the groups near the Iranian border approaches. As IRGC Deputy Commander Sardar Nilforushan had previously emphasized, the Iraqi authorities are expected to disarm these groups, which Iran designates as terrorist organizations, by September 19. Nilforushan also stated that if this deadline is not met, Iran intends to take actions to protect its interests.
Iran's operations inside Iraq
In 2022, units of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) conducted multiple attacks in Iraq's Sulaymaniyah province targeting the camps and headquarters of the United Party of Iranian Kurdistan. The IRGC regards this group as a terrorist organization. Additionally, rocket attacks were launched against the facilities of another organization, the Democratic Party of Iranian Kurdistan, which is banned in the Islamic Republic, in Erbil.
These operations occurred amid anti-government unrest in Kurdish-populated regions of Iran in late 2022. Violent clashes between Iranian security forces and protesters unfolded in Senendej, the administrative center of Kurdistan province. More than 570 individuals were arrested during these protests. Tehran alleged the involvement of separatist Kurdish organizations based in neighboring Iraq in the riots and disturbances.
GSV "Russia - Islamic World"
Photo: Georgia National Guard/Creative Commons 2.0
Based on materials from TASS