Landmark military meet of Iran, Iraq, Syria against terrorism & foreign troops

Kayhan International

The growing relations among the regional countries and their cooperation with each other in various spheres augurs well for the region, and is indicative of the influence of the Islamic Republic of Iran in the neighbourhood.

The following is a Viewpoint in this regard which appeared in Iran’s English language daily, Kayhan International titled: “Landmark Military Meet of Iran, Iraq, Syria against Terrorism & Foreign Troops”.     

Kayhan International said: “The tripartite military meeting in Damascus amongst the chief of armed forces of Syria, the Islamic Republic of Iran and Iraq, the first of its kind, is indeed an important milestone in regional relations of the three important countries of the Resistance Front against terrorism and the unwanted, uninvited and illegal presence of forces of other states.

“There is consensus amongst the said countries, in coordination with the other two vital components of the Resistance Front, that is, the Palestinian liberation groups and Lebanon’s legendry anti-terrorist movement, the Hezbollah, of the goal of salvaging the region from the devilish designs of the US and its local agents, whether the Zionists or the mischief-mongering unrepresentative Arab reactionary regimes.

“As a matter of fact, terrorism would never have taken roots in West Asia without the creation of the takfiris and others macabre murderers jointly by the US, Britain, Saudi Arabia, and the Zionist regime.

“Unfortunately, Turkey was hoodwinked into providing free passage to terrorists of all hue and colour streaming into Syria and Iraq from Europe, and in the process unwittingly contributing to the destabilization and economic-infrastructural destruction of Syrian cities.

“Ankara seems to have realized its blunder after suffering the consequences, but is presently obsessed militarily with the Kurds of Syria whose resurgence as autonomous authorities in their own area has caused fears of similar demands by Turkey’s huge Kurdish population.

“The Turkish government should, however, understand that the presence of its military forces in Idlib is violation of Syria’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, and thus any measures against the terrorists ought to be carried out in consultation with the government in Damascus, and definitely not with the US occupation forces which are stationed at Tanf on the borders of Iraq, and will sooner be kicked out by the Resistance Front, if Washington fails to fulfill its promise of withdrawal.”

Kayhan International pointed out: “Tanf in southeast Syria is near the Damascus-Baghdad highway and the illegal US military presence there has virtually closed the main border crossing between the two countries, which have naturally sought the advice of their tried and trusted friend Iran in liberating the border areas.

“Iran, was represented at the Damascus military meeting by Chairman of the Chiefs of Staff of the Armed Forces Major General Mohammad Baqeri, who said in clear words that all outside forces, illegally present in Syria, including the northwestern province of Idlib and east of the River Euphrates, should leave these areas at the earliest.

“As is clear by the joint press conference on Monday in the Syrian capital and the communique of the tripartite military meeting, the authorities in Damascus fully agree with the stand of the Islamic Republic and so does the government in Baghdad, which wants the 5,000 odd American troops to leave Iraqi soil.

“All three countries are resolute that the fight against terrorism – including economic terrorism – and protection of their national sovereignty and territorial integrity are of paramount importance and no meddling by any outside forces will be tolerated.”

As noted by Kayhan International: “In this regard, Iraqi MP Haneen Qaddou has called for holding a joint military drill by Iran, Iraq and Syria to prevent the US from imposing its demands and expanding influence in the region.

“According to Iraqi news agency al-Maalomah, he said Iraq's security is intertwined with that of Syria and Iran, and holding the joint military exercise is in the interest of all countries in the region.

“Qaddou is not a lone voice in the wilderness. The Iraqi parliament is currently busy discussing proposals from leading members for the expulsion of American troops, especially in view of the fact that the Hashd ash-Sha’bi or the Popular Mobilisation Units (PMU), have made it clear that if the Legislature fails to pass a law, they will be forced to use their anti-terrorism capabilities to oust the US.

“This has caused worries in Washington and although the roguish administration of Donald Trump is acting in an intransigent manner, deep down the heart the worries of body bags returning to bereaved family members of the servicemen, has scared the daylights out of the US, which understand that no amount impishness from its stooges, the Zionists and the reactionary Arabs, will dent the resolve of the Resistance Front.

“It should be noted that back in December, Baqeri had said in explicit words that despite its mainly peaceful defense doctrine, the Islamic Republic maintains powerful military presence in the region, warning certain regional regimes against inviting the US to the Persian Gulf to hatch plots against Iran.”