MESOP FOREIGN INTERVENTION / TEHRANS BOOTS ON IRAQI GROUNDS

Seven Thousand Iranian Soldiers Fighting in Iraq

ERBIL – Basnews – 28 Dec 2014 – The Iranian opposition has claimed that there are more than 7,000 Iranian soldiers fighting in the southern provinces of Iraq and Baghdad against Islamic State (IS) militants. A member of the National Council of Resistance of Iran (NCRI) based in London, Hossein Abedini said, “There are more than 7,000 Iranian Quds soldiers in Iraq deployed in Diyala, Salahaddin and Baghdad provinces, especially in areas around Jalawla, Saadia, Khanaqin, Najaf, Karbala and Samara.”

“The forces are deployed by and supervised under the command of Iranian Quds Force Leader Qassem Soleimani,” said Abedini. He went on to mention that the forces take direct commands from Soleimani as he has been responsibe for the development and implementation of battle plans. Abdeini stated that the Baghdad Iraqi federal government allows these forces as they aid in the prevention of the advance of IS insurgents towards the capital. Other forces have been depolyed in Diyala and Jalawla areas in order to stop IS attacks. “In Baghdad, there is a special joint military operation desk for the Iranian Quds force and Shiite militias to cooperate with each other against IS militants,” added Abedini. However, Iranian Defense Minister Hossein Dahqani has denied the presence of any Iranian forces in Iraq, dismissing the idea as rumours and lies.