DUBAI: In a significant development, Iran and Iraq have reached a mutual agreement aimed at addressing security concerns in Iraq’s Kurdistan region.
The agreement focused on the disarmament and relocation of armed separatist groups currently operating within the region. Iran’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirmed this breakthrough on Monday, marking a significant step towards stabilizing the region.
The agreement, negotiated between Iran and Iraq, underscores Iraq’s commitment to dismantling armed separatist factions and terrorist organizations present on its soil. According to Nasser Kanaani, the spokesperson for Iran’s foreign ministry, the deal mandates the closure of bases utilized by these groups and their subsequent relocation to different areas. The implementation of this accord is expected to be completed before the 19th of September.
Although specifics regarding the new locations for the relocated militants remain undisclosed, this agreement signals a collaborative effort to quell the security threats emanating from these groups. Notably, Iraq has not issued an immediate response regarding this development.
For a considerable duration, Iran has expressed concerns over the presence of terrorist elements within Iraq’s autonomous northern Kurdish region. The Iranian government has accused the Kurdish region of harbouring militants who have conducted attacks against Iran. To counter this threat, Iran’s Revolutionary Guards have repeatedly targeted these groups and their bases in the past.
The tensions escalated last September when Iran’s Revolutionary Guards launched missiles and drones at targets within Iraq’s Kurdish region. Local authorities reported that the attack resulted in the unfortunate loss of 13 lives. In response, Iraq’s foreign ministry condemned the assault, highlighting the complexities of addressing such issues while maintaining regional stability. Iran, on the other hand, articulated its intention to persistently target what it deemed as terrorist elements in the region.
