Iran ready to train Iraq army officers: commander

A senior Iranian military commander has voiced the preparedness of the country’s armed forces to provide training to Iraqi army officers, who are engaged in fierce battles with ISIL Takfiri terrorists.

On Monday Brigadier General Hossein Valivand, who is the chief of the Iranian Army’s Command and General Staff College (DAFOOS), said Iranian military experts are prepared enough to offer training to Iraqi forces.

Valivand added that the issue of training Iraqi soldiers had been discussed during a recent visit by Iraqi Defense Minister Khaled al-Obeidi to Tehran.

He further said the Iranian Army could dispatch experts to train the armed forces of any country, with which the Iranian Defense Ministry has signed a defense and security pact, adding that DAFOOS is ready to cooperate with armed forces of all friendly countries to that effect.

The Iranian military official went on to say that army officers from Oman, Pakistan and Syria are currently taking training courses in DAFOOS.

On December 29, Al-Obeidi paid a visit to Tehran and called for Iran’s cooperation in countering terrorism and corruption as well as the reconstruction of the war-torn country.

Iranian Defense Minister Brigadier General Hossein Dehqan told his Iraqi counterpart that Iran’s support for the Iraqi armed forces is part of the Islamic Republic’s defense and security strategies

Valivand’s comments come as Takfiri ISIL militants have seized control of some parts of Iraq and Syria.

Iraqi forces, supported by the nation, have made gains against the terrorists in different parts of the Arab country, liberating towns and villages.

Iran has repeatedly stressed that it will not interfere militarily in Iraq and Syria, but the Islamic Republic continues to provide support to both countries against ISIL in the form of defense consultancy and humanitarian aid.