Iran President Warns of Divisive Plots against Baghdad

“Any move undermining Iraq’s unity and integrity will not be beneficial to anybody and is unacceptable,” Rouhani said in a meeting with the head of the Iraqi National Alliance (INA), Ammar al-Hakim, in Tehran on Tuesday.

He emphasized that all Iraqis must avoid divisive issues and reinforce their unity.

Iran’s chief executive also hailed the recent gains made by the Iraqi government, army and popular forces in fighting terrorism and liberating the country’s second largest city of Mosul from Daesh Takfiris.

Rouhani said the prudence of Iraqi officials and enhanced unity among the country’s ethnic groups would double the Iraqi nation’s joy following Mosul’s liberation.

He expressed hope that victories achieved in Mosul and the defeat of terrorists in the city would further strengthen security, stability and unity across Iraq.

“Undoubtedly, this stability and security will be beneficial to relations between the Iranian and Iraqi nations,” the Iranian president added.

Iraqi government forces on Monday pushed deeper into the last pocket of Mosul, which is controlled by Daesh Takfiri terrorists, as the battle for the country’s second largest city approached its end.

The Iraqi forces took control of eastern Mosul in January after 100 days of fighting, and launched the battle in the west on February 19.

The full recapture of Mosul, Daesh’s de facto capital in the Arab country, would mark the effective end of the terror group in Iraq.

Elsewhere in his remarks, the Iranian president pointed to Tehran’s policy to bolster cordial relations with all neighboring countries, saying that the Islamic Republic always seeks strong relations with all neighbors, particularly Iraq.

Mosul liberation boosts Iraq’s national unity: Hakim

The head of the Iraqi National Alliance, for his part, commended Iran’s support for the Iraqi government and nation in the fight against Daesh terrorists.

Hakim added that the liberation of Mosul had reinforced Iraq’s national unity.

The INA head then called for proper planning and cooperation of all Iraqi ethnic and political groups to overcome the new challenges in the country after the liberation of Mosul.

Hakim also stressed the importance of further development of relations between Tehran and Baghdad.