Iran reports deadly clashes with 'terrorists' near Iraq border
| Publisher | Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty |
| Publication Date | 10 June 2018 |
| Cite as | Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, Iran reports deadly clashes with 'terrorists' near Iraq border, 10 June 2018, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/5bc04ed63.html [accessed 6 June 2023] |
| Disclaimer | This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States. |
June 10, 2018 14:59 GMT
Iranian Brigadier General Mohammad Pakpour
Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC) say there have been three clashes with militants along the border with Iraq in recent days, leaving several dead.
"In recent days, we have been witnessing some movements and efforts by antirevolutionary bandits and terrorists in western and northwestern border areas with the aim of deep infiltration," said IRGC ground forces commander Brigadier General Mohammad Pakpour.
The IRGC generally uses the term "terrorist" to mean Sunni militants fighting against Shi'ite rule in Iran.
Pakpour said the first attack occurred on June 8 in the Oshnaviyeh area near the border with the Kurdish autonomous region in northern Iraq that left seven militants "killed or wounded."
Two other alleged attacks were reported on June 9-10 – one near Oshnaviyeh and one further south in the Sarvabad area.
The clashes left six attackers dead and three wounded, Pakpour said, adding that weaponry had been recovered from the militants.
He said surveillance had identified the alleged attackers before they were able to infiltrate Iranian territory.
In June 2017, terrorist attacks claimed by the Islamic State (IS) extremist group killed 18 people at the parliament building in Tehran and Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini's mausoleum south of the capital.
Based on reporting by Reuters and AFP
Link to original story on RFE/RL website
