Iran Stood by Iraq in War of Life and Death: PM
TEHRAN (Tasnim) – 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.
“We are now grappling with the war of life and death, and Iran is standing by us in this war,” Abadi said in an interview with the Lebanese-based Al Mayadeen TV channel.
Heaping praise on Iran for not leaving Iraq alone in dire conditions, Abadi made it clear that his government will not ruin ties with its ally and neighbor.
“I would not damage our relations with Iran just because the others want so,” the Iraqi premier underlined.
He said Iran rushed to help Iraq and “never ever had any doubts” even about assisting the Kurdish residents of Arbil 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.
The ISIL militants made swift advances in much of northern and western Iraq over the summer, after capturing large swaths of northern Syria.
However, a combination of concentrated attacks by the Iraqi military and the popular forces, who rushed to take arms after top Iraqi cleric Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani issued a fatwa calling for fight against the militants, have blunted the edge of the ISIL offensive.
They have been committing heinous crimes in the areas they have taken, including the mass execution of civilians as well as Iraqi army troops and officers.
Amid tensions in Iraq, Iran is known as the first country to help the Arab country and has always voiced support for Iraq’s solidarity and prosperity.
