MESOP BLIND HOSHYAR Zebari: No Iranian Militia in Iraq – Iranian role in Iraq concerns the international coalition

Basnews | Nuwar Faqie – 14.03.2015 15:42 – BAGHDAD – Iraqi Finance Minister Hoshyar Zebari has rejected allegations claiming Iranian militias are fighting Islamic State (IS) in Iraq. He says the rumours are merely media speculation.

In an interview with al-Arabiya TV, he stated that the forces fighting the jihadists are all Iraqi, and there is no need for the foreign forces. Former CIA Director David Petraeus recently expressed concerns about the presence of the Iranian army in Iraq. Petraeus said that the presence of Iranian forces in the country is more dangerous than IS and called for respect of the sovereignty of Iraq. Iraqi Vice President Ayad Allawi noted that the role of Iran in the fight against IS has created uncertainty among the international coalition, causing fears that it might break down. Allawi said that success against IS must be achieved both politically and militarily.