Iran stations troops near Iraq border ahead of disarmament deadline

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: Tasnim
13 Sep 2023 22:45
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The Iranian Foreign Ministry had announced last month that Iraq had pledged to complete this disarmament process by September 19.

A general view of the Iraq-Iran border crossing of Mandali in the northern province of Diyala, Iraq. (AP)

Tasnim news agency reported on Wednesday that Iran's Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) is deploying artillery and armored vehicles to its border with Iraq.

This action is in response to the approaching deadline by which the Iraqi government was expected to disarm terror groups in the Kurdistan Iraqi region.

In late August, the Iranian Foreign Ministry announced that Iraq had pledged to complete this disarmament process by September 19.

Following Tehran's ultimatum to Baghdad, the news agency reported that it had received video footage depicting Iranian ground forces mobilizing tanks, artillery, and armored vehicles to the border between the two countries.

🇮🇷⚡️ IRGC sends equipment to Iran's border w/ Iraq

Sep 19th is the deadline of Iran's ultimatum to Iraqi gov't to disarm terrorist groups in Kurdistan region.

As we near the deadline, citizens claim this footage shows IRGC is sending howitzers & tanks to western border of Iran. pic.twitter.com/b4apIZBm5b
— 𝐄𝐡𝐬𝐚𝐧 𝐒𝐚𝐟𝐚𝐫𝐧𝐞𝐣𝐚𝐝 (@Safarnejad_IR) September 13, 2023

Earlier today, Iraqi Foreign Minister Fuad Hussein traveled to Tehran for discussions with his Iranian counterpart, Hossein Amir-Abdollahian. Their talks aimed to establish terms and deadlines for the disarmament of the Kurdish militia.

According to another report by Tasnim, citing sources, the process of closing down the bases of Kurdish militants in the Iraqi Kurdistan region had already commenced.

"Iranian authorities address the country's national security with all responsibility. We are happy that high-ranking officials of the Iraqi government told us good news about Kurdish groups leaving areas close to the Iranian border," Amir-Abdollahian was quoted as saying by Tasnim.

🔽I hosted the Minister of Foreign Affairs of 🇮🇶

While expressing my satisfaction with the process of expelling terrorists from Iran’s border areas & implementation of the security agreement by Iraq, I emphasized that giving terrorists an hour is detrimental to security. https://t.co/0XPkscSEb7 pic.twitter.com/zipy5RjccN
— Iran Foreign Ministry 🇮🇷 (@IRIMFA_EN) September 13, 2023

On March 19 in Baghdad, Iran and Iraq entered into a security agreement, which entails joint efforts to safeguard their shared border.

Anti-Iranian extremist organizations based in the Iraqi Kurdistan region have escalated their disruptive actions, particularly along the border.

In response to these activities, Iran's IRGC initiated multiple rounds of shelling against their positions starting on September 24 of the previous year. They have pledged to continue these operations until these groups are disarmed.

Iran has repeatedly cautioned the local authorities in Iraqi Kurdistan that it will not tolerate the presence and activities of terrorist groups along its northwestern borders. It has stated that it will respond decisively should these areas become a breeding ground for anti-Iran militants.