Iraq conflict: Iran's Rouhani 'ready to help'

[Loki]

Iraq conflict: Iran's Rouhani 'ready to help'

Iran is ready to assist the Iraqi government in its battle against extremist Sunni insurgents, President Hassan Rouhani has said.

He denied Iran had sent troops to fight in Iraq. However, an Iraqi source told the BBC that 130 Iranian Revolutionary Guards had entered the country to provide military training and advice.

The insurgents have seized several cities and are closing in on Baghdad.

They regard Iraq's Shia majority as "infidels".

The Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant (ISIS) is a hardline Islamist militant group that grew during the US-led occupation (2003-2011).

It is one of several jihadist militias fighting the rule of Bashar al-Assad in neighbouring Syria.



Iran has close ties with Iraq's Shia-dominated leadership under Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki.

Iraq's Sunni minority - which was dominant until 2003 - has complained of marginalisation by Mr Maliki's government.

"If the Iraqi government asks us for help, we may provide any assistance the Iraqi nation would like us to provide in the fight against terrorism," President Rouhani said on Saturday.

"However, the engagement of Iranian forces has not been discussed. Providing help and being engaged in operations are different."

Answering a question from the BBC, he said that so far the Iraqi government had not requested help from Iran.

President Rouhani did not rule out co-operating with the United States, Iran's traditional foe, in combating ISIS: "We can think about if we see America starts confronting the terrorist groups in Iraq or elsewhere."

[Mraz]

Loki finally the Shia and Kurdish state would be possible at the end lol

[Alphawolf]

Loki finally the Shia and Kurdish state would be possible at the end lol

And what about the 40% Sunni Muslims in Iraq?

[GrebluBro]

And what about the 40% Sunni Muslims in Iraq?

And what 20% Kurds in Turkey?

[Alphawolf]

And what 20% Kurds in Turkey?

They live in Turkey not Iraq.

[GrebluBro]

They live in Turkey not Iraq.

I agree, those Turkish Kurds want independent state too. Would they wanna join Iraqi Kurds if a new nation is carved out?

[Mraz]

And what about the 40% Sunni Muslims in Iraq?

Iraq is 20% Sunni, same % than Kurds and do you see the mess here?

[Alphawolf]

I agree, those Turkish Kurds want independent state too. Would they wanna join Iraqi Kurds if a new nation is carved out?

Absolutely not.



A recent survey has shown that 90.3 percent of Kurds and 70.7 percent of Turks strongly believe that their futures are bound to each other, contrary to expectations that they have strong secessionist tendencies. This is contrary to expectations that Kurds see separation from Turkey as a solution to the Kurdish problem. Only 2.3 percent of Turkey's Kurds say independence will bring a solution to the problem, while 5.7 percent see a federative structure in Turkey as a solution and 11.9 percent say regional/democratic autonomy will solve problems.

[Alphawolf]

Iraq is 20% Sunni, same % than Kurds and do you see the mess here?

Iraq is sourrounded from Sunni states. There is no future for such a state.

[Loki]

Iraq is sourrounded from Sunni states. There is no future for such a state.

Iran is Shia, and Iran will certainly defend a future Shia state in Iraq. Saudi Arabia won't be happy, though. I can foresee a future war between Iran and Saudi.

As for Kurdistan in northern Iraq, they are a bunch of tough cookies. Now is an excellent time for them to push for full independence.