Dr. Zarif’s travel to Baghdad, Najaf and Kurdistan region of Iraq was for making continuation of the Iran and Iraq strategic relations. It is not the first time that the foreign minister has travelled to Iraq; but before the former foreign minister and vice-president of the Iran has travelled to the region and visited the authorities of KR.
Naturally I.R.Iran considers Iraq and KR as important allies having brotherly and friendly continuing. This is interpreted as an historical accompaniment according to common benefits and security. Iran accompanied more than ever at the time of tough fighting of Iraqi different groups against the current dictator and Ba’ath party and did not begrudge any attempt to help Shia, Sunni and Kurds.
Today that the danger of Takfiri and ISIS terrorist groups is felt more than before and the security of the region territorial integrity of some countries are aimed I.R of Iran’s help has increased and turned out to military aids. In this new situation that Kurdish pishmerga forces along with the Army and other Iraqi groups are fighting terrorists the type of communication matters double as much. In the yesterday common meeting of Mr. Barzani and Dr. Zarif, the president of the region emphasized that Iran has been one of those initial countries rushed to help the region in sensible conditions of the battle with ISIS and appreciated I.R of Iran due to the aids of this important country of the region in a special letter on the behalf of the president. The common historical and tribal benefits and ties between Iran and Kurdistan region of Iraq undoubtedly affect and will affect on the strength of present and following relations.
The point that should remembered here is that I insisted in my talks with Iranian and foreign Medias undoubtedly KRG knows itself to be commitment to sustain the territorial integrity and national security of Iraq therefore this is bilateral relation and it is expected that all official authorities and powers with focus on the constitutes get to be obedient to comprehensive collaboration of the region in different processes. The foreign minister of Iran also approved Iran’s support from the being carried out of the agreements between central government and KRG of Iraq yesterday.
Today that in national level changes have occurred among authorities it is expected by all groups that national management thought of Iraq will change. After Saddam’s fall Ayad Alavi, Ibrahim Jafari, Nuri Maliki and now Haydar AL-Ebadi have taken over the responsibility of the prime ministry thus going and coming in responsibilities is a natural work. Whatsoever upon this matter is important is the correction of wrong policies of political actors and strengthen the weaknesses. It has repeatedly been emphasized by experts that the emergence of the phenomena of ISIS Takfiri terrorism results from some discriminations and insularity to apply all national forces aside from tribe, race and religion in administrative responsibilities.
This matter even has caused some respected and honor moves of Shia have dissatisfied with the way of last government and other groups cooperation. Now we expect with new collaborations new thought will lead to conduct the constitution focusing on national unity and to from a comprehensive and organized government to prevent terrorism from rooting. Recently the meetings of Kurdistan representatives with Shia and the prime minister personally coalition has been held and we are optimistic to Iraq’s future. The constructive and effective role of Iran to make cohesion all Iraq’s groups undoubtedly lead to accelerate the reconstructive process of Iraq.
Ardeshir Pashang from Iranian Diplomacy conducted an interview with Dr. Mohammad Seddigh Ahmad, the deputy-representative of KRG of Iraq in Iran concerning military confrontation of KRG with ISIS of which important lines as followed:
Mohammad Seddigh Ahmad (Jegarkhwein) the deputy-representative of KRG of Iraq while mentioning that presently the war conditions indicate the strength and sturdiness of the deployment of Pishmerga military forces and their being strengthened with heavy weapon announced superiority Pishmega forces in conflict front with extremist terrorists and Takfiri of ISIS in present condition and said: the will and the ability of Pishmerga forces to defend Kurdistan, Kurdish and Iraqi people are so strong; these forces have lots of experiences of classic and specially guerilla wars; therefore the broad area of over 1500km of fronts and confrontation with suicidal attacks require special situations that luckily Pishmerga forces have gained the power. Whereas I should say this news that during recent days Kurdish Pishmerga have been able to inflict the most hit and human losses on ISIS which has been so considerable as compared with late couple weeks.
He continued to say by Mr. Barzani’s order to call reserved forces to support military operation against ISIS and then added that military operation of USA could inflict great hit on ISIS and we hope it to be continued.
Dr. Ahmad continued that in spite of public, military and political power KRG is not such powerful in economic and presently cannot accept refugees over 1million. He went on that all Iraq’s and the Region’s friends and allies including Iran have helped this government. Some Kurdish authorities appreciated Tehran due to these aides. In addition Dr. Ahmad while mentioning Mr. Yunosi’s talk, special assistant of the president in tribal and religious affairs said: I am so pleased that he as the representative of Iran government announced his position and opinion about sustained losses against Kurds and following dangers and this support has caused us to be happy and warm.
The deputy-representative of KRG of Iraq in Iran about the soon fall of Shengal and Zumar said firstly these two towns were under the control of Iraq army, secondly Pishmerga forces presence was limited in these towns and at last unusual kind of ISIS attack typically accompanied with unrecorded violence and cruelty against civilians was considered the reason of the fall.
He said major withdraws of KRG were in the regions which regarding military geography were less important and were carried out on a completely limited level and according to definite military tactics to save civilians’ lives. At last he deemed the civilians’ conditions of Shengal mounts so painful and bitter and said about the emergence of human disaster of Izadi Kurdish refugees in this mount. He added that this disastrous condition had a nationwide reflection; and even followed the announcement of Security Council. He said many of old people and children have lost their lives for killing heat, thirstiness and hungriness. Now most of them due to air-aiding on the behalf of the USA and Iraq forces have been transferred to a safe place.
Concerning the phenomena of ISIS as a nowadays problem of the Middle East Dana Press carried out an interview with Nazem Dabbagh of which the main says as followed:
In Mr. Dabbagh’s view the phenomena of Takfiris have been created as a result of some events and accidents. Firstly it was due to religious differences and the west and east confrontation after the World War II. Western countries generated Takfiri groups to resist against the Soviet Union. In his view ISIS is the result of Taliban fall in Afghanistan, of Arabian spring soon changed to fall as well as of the survivors of Ba’ath party. In Iraq the mismanagement of Nuri Al-Maliki also played an important role for ISIS to emerge. To put aside the Sunnite from power and the political differences with Kurds laid the groundwork for those to tend toward ISIS so that the one hundred-thousand army of Iraq could not prevented them to enter Mosul and Takrit. The increasing power of ISIS caused Iran and Europe cooperation with Kurdistan Region of Iraq against ISIS.
ISIS is outcome of Takfiris, Ba’ath and Ekhvanis. Ekhvanis have a post in Iraq and are supported by neighboring countries like Turkey and Qatar. He added that the members of ISIS have come from different countries to Syria and Iraq. Since they have not any attachment and relations they begin to act criminally. Ba’aths also want to take revenge from Kurds and Shia, nevertheless they accompany ISIS. Thus he believes that ISIS is near to fall. Therefore he does not know useful to form the temporary coalitions, but confronting with ISIS should be permanent. Dabbagh believes that the countries like Saudi Arabia and Israel tend Iraq to be weakened. Nevertheless to improve the conditions the political thoughts in Baghdad must change. Indeed as Haydar Al-Ebadi coming to power than Nuri Maliki the conditions of Iraq will not change. In Dabbagh’s view Nuri Al-Maliki mistake was his unification with Ba’ath. Therefore the same Ba’aths accompanied with the Army for which $27 billion was spent could not resist against ISIS. It is nine months that Maliki has cut Kurdistan budget while Pishmerga forces are resisting bravely against ISIS. However, Dabbagh is not so optimistic to thought changing in Iraq. In addition concerning Mr. Barzani’s phrases about holding referendum to get independent from Iraq, he said this is Kurdish nation’s desire. Therefore Mr. Taliban wanted to correctly perform the Constitutes of Iraq than the independence. If not so, Kurds have the right to state their fortune. Dabbagh said this time is the Arabians’ turn to try for unification. Dabbagh also added that in spite of Israel tendency to have a relationship with Kurds we have no relation with them, though. At last Dabbagh said the conditions of confrontation with ISIS will change to the benefit to Pishmerga.
In talk with Arman Press, Nazem Dabbagh depicted aspects of ISIS attack to Mosul and some other areas of Iraq turning to the most important news of Iraq these days. ISIS could overwhelm Mosul as well as Kirkuk and Tikrik, he said.
In his view Iraq forces’ spirit has got weakened but Pishmergas could free some parts of Kirkuk. In addition he mentioned Mr. Maliki’s phrase, the prime minister of Iraq, having said in a few days ISIS would be evicted from occupied lands.
Namely, some of the political groups for drawing votes of Ba’aths and their supporters promised to cooperate with them. He believed he would have to avoid giving important jobs to Ba’aths. He had documents proving some Ba’aths were used to attack Tikrit along with terrorists those who formed Anfal operation (genocide of Kurds) he said.
Nazem Dabbagh rejected the news about not being accepted of refugees of Mosul by KRG and added the prime minister of KRG, Mr. Nechirvan Barzani, frankly asked region authorities to give hand to them. He continued to say that Pishmergas are able to run operations against ISIS; therefore their being engaged to this quarrel is required general commander’s and KRG’s agreement. The close partnership between people and Iraq security forces against any threats is vital he believed.
Dabbagh put the possibility of ISIS attack to Baghdad under doubt and said did Baghdad fall, the whole country would. This is dangerous for Kurds since the next goal is Kurdish region and the region as whole. He quoted Mr. Talibani’s view saying the moment ISIS got formed in Syria it should have treated there and would not be allowed to be widespread.
In a response to a question he said Mr. Maliki asked America, to this purpose 4000 American forces entered Iraq.
Dabbagh put two strategies as solutions to ISIS. First is the formation of the real government of Iraq with presence of the majority of Iraqi groups. In this direction, he cautioned taking advantage of military forces of Iraq and Pishmergas in special having fighting background. The second strategy was is to establish an Iraqi identity for all groups, tribes and races, so that each Iraqi knows himself Iraqi first
of all. He claimed, if not so, again we would return to the previous government.
Continuing his talk he considered ISIS as a danger not only for Iran, but also for its fans Arabia and Turkey and even Europe. He even mentioned Iraq as a country suffering lots of problem and said reaching a unanimous agreement among Iraqi political groups was the concern neglected coalition of legal government governing. In his view Maliki did not manage to appeal all groups’ participations.
Dabbagh continued to say his predictions about Iraq were met and presently he is to predict that Iraq may change to another Afghanistan. In a response to a question he said if Kurds and other groups do not share affairs, the race identity will raise and if so ISIS would overcome Sunni sections, I say it is none of my business for I am Kurdish. In an answer to a question he said the solution to react ISIS is the unity among all groups and it is necessary to respect everybody’s right.
He mentioned the process of Erbil protocol formation according which the responsibility of prime ministry and general commander was taken on Mr. Maliki. Therefore in his view Maliki did not take any action to solve the problems of country. Frankly he asked federal government to respect Kurds rights so that they remain as a part of the country and accept the responsibility for its problems.
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