Defense Minister Welcomes Support From Iranian Military

New Iraqi Defense Minister Thabet Muhammad Al-Abasi says he welcomes military support from Tehran, reports Kurdistan24 (Erbil).

On Tuesday, Al-Abasi held a telephone call with Maj. Gen. Mohammad Bagheri, the chief of staff of the Iranian armed forces, to discuss security and counterterrorism issues.

During the conversation, Bagheri expressed support for Iraqi counterterrorism forces and called for military information-sharing between the neighbors.

Al-Abasi reaffirmed that Iraq welcomes support from the Iranian military.

Iran has provided significant military support to Iraq since the U.S. withdrawal in 2010 as well as backing the Popular Mobilization Forces militia.