Joint Military Exercise of Iranian and Iraqi Forces Near the Borders of Iraqi Kurdistan

An official from the Kurdistan Region of Iraq stated on Monday, October 2, that Iranian and Iraqi military forces have begun a joint military exercise near the borders of this region. In this context, the commander of the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) Ground Forces also stated on Monday that armored units, artillery, infantry, as well as drones and helicopters of the IRGC Ground Forces are participating in a joint exercise that includes units from the Iraqi army. This exercise takes place one week after the independence referendum in the Kurdistan Region, where over 92% of participants voted in favor of 'independence' for Iraqi Kurdistan. Shwan Abubakar, the head of customs in the Kurdistan Region at the Bashmaq border, told AFP that Iranian and Iraqi units began their exercise at 11 a.m. just 250 meters from the border. Tanks and artillery are involved in this exercise. Abubakar noted that the Iraqi forces present at this exercise wore black uniforms, which could indicate that they are part of the Iraqi army's counter-terrorism unit. According to Tasnim news agency, Mohammad Pakpour, the commander of the IRGC Ground Forces, announced the joint exercise with Iraqi forces named 'Eghtedar' in northwest Iran and the border areas of Kurdistan and West Azerbaijan provinces. He stated that the goals of this exercise include maintaining intelligence oversight and control over developments in border areas and practicing the connection of civilian, military, and security information networks during exercises, including this joint exercise. In this context, Masoud Jazayeri, spokesman for the Iranian armed forces, stated on Saturday that based on negotiations between senior military officials from Iran and Iraq, a joint exercise of Iranian armed forces and units of the Iraqi army is scheduled to take place in the coming days along the shared border from Qasr-e Shirin to the Parviz Khan border, Bashmaq border in Marivan, and Tamarchin border in Piranshahr. Previously, Iraqi forces had also participated in a joint exercise with Turkish forces near the borders of the two countries. The central government of Iraq has demanded the annulment of the results of the independence referendum in the Kurdistan Region and warned that if this request is rejected, the Kurdistan Region will face sanctions and isolation. Meanwhile, the U.S. Secretary of State stated on Friday that Washington does not recognize the results of the Kurdistan independence referendum and urged the central government of Iraq to refrain from threats or even hints at the possible use of force. The U.S. Secretary of State said that the U.S. calls on all parties, including Iraq's neighbors, to refrain from unilateral actions and the use of force. Iran and Turkey oppose the Kurdistan independence referendum and support the position of the central government in Baghdad. In this context, the visit of the Turkish Chief of Staff to Tehran comes ahead of a meeting between Erdogan and Rouhani and Khamenei, emphasizing Iran and Turkey's 'common positions regarding the Kurdistan independence referendum.'