Iraqi Foreign Minister Fuad Hussein made a groundbreaking announcement on Wednesday regarding the disarmament of groups operating along the Iraqi-Iranian border. This declaration came during a joint press conference held in Tehran alongside his Iranian counterpart.
Hussein began by urging all nations to adhere to international resolutions aimed at preventing the desecration of holy books. “The Iraqi constitution strictly prohibits any group from using Iraqi territory as a launchpad for attacks against neighboring countries,” he emphasized.
The disarmament process marks the culmination of a strategic plan agreed upon by both Iraq and Iran. Hussein confirmed the successful disarmament of groups stationed along the border, with the establishment of refugee camps under the supervision of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR). These camps aim to ensure the safety and well-being of affected individuals.
The tension in the region has escalated in recent times, particularly after Iran conducted multiple airstrikes targeting Iranian Kurdish opposition groups. Tehran alleges their involvement in the protests that rocked Iran following the tragic death of Mahsa Amini in September 2022, following her arrest by Iranian morality police.
Last March, Iraq and Iran entered into a security agreement, which now demands Iraq to disarm Iranian Kurdish opposition groups and relocate them to designated camps by September 19. During a joint press conference with Austrian Foreign Minister Alexander Schallenberg earlier this week, Hussein revealed that these opposition groups have maintained a presence in the Kurdistan region of Iraq for several decades.
Hussein clarified that these groups have been relocated from the border areas with Iran to remote camps within the Kurdistan region of Iraq. Despite several meetings between officials from Iraqi Kurdistan and Iran on this matter, the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) has yet to comment on these measures.
In late August, the spokesperson for the Iranian Foreign Ministry, Nasser Kanaani, reiterated that the deadline for disarming and relocating these opposition groups from the Iraqi-Iranian border would not be extended.
This historic development not only signifies a milestone in Iraqi-Iranian relations but also holds the potential to reduce tensions in the volatile border region, fostering a more stable and secure environment for both nations.
