Iraqi MP: Saudi Arabia Border Hotbed of ISIL Militancy
TEHRAN (Tasnim) – A senior Iraqi lawmaker called on Jordan and Syria to prevent the Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) terrorists from infiltrating into his country, emphasizing that most of the group’s terrorist acts in Iraq have been carried out near Saudi Arabia border.
“There has been no military cooperation between Baghdad and Riyadh (to fight against ISIL terrorists) and one of the main areas used by the ISIL group is Saudi Arabia-Iraq border,” Abbas al-Bayati, a member of the Iraqi National Assembly, was quoted by Alsumaria news channel as saying.
He also underlined that military cooperation with Saudi Arabia would help Iraqi commanders defeat ISIL terrorists.
“The ISIL group not only poses a threat to Iraq but also targets its neighboring countries, including Syria and Jordan, he stated.
“The supporters of the ISIL terrorists in other countries supply them with money and arms ,” he said.
In early June, following its large-scale offensives in Iraq, ISIL seized control of most parts of Mosul, the second most populous city in Iraq, its surrounding Nineveh province. ISIL militants have been in control of Fallujah city since December.
The terrorists’ attacks have reportedly forced more than half a million people in and around Mosul, the capital of Nineveh Province, to flee their homes. The Takfiri (extremist) militants have vowed to march toward the capital, Baghdad.
Meantime, nearly 1.5 million Iraqis have volunteered to join battles against the al-Qaeda-linked militants shortly after senior religious and political leaders called on the nation to take up arms and defend their country against militants. The volunteers consist of people from all walks of life including retired officers.
