Iran, Iraq, Syria, Russia hold ‘anti-terrorism’ meeting

TEHRAN, Iran — Iran, Iraq, Syria, and Russia hold a meeting in Baghdad on Thursday of military and security officials to coordinate “anti-terrorism” efforts, the Iranian defense ministry says.

“Cooperation in intelligence between the four countries for common aims and anti-terrorism missions has been successful in restoring stability and security, and it should form the basis for future cooperation,” Defense Minister General Amir Hatami says in a statement from the Iraqi capital.

The “coalition” had played an “important role in the defeat” of the Islamic State jihadist group in both Iraq and Syria, he says.

The meeting came the same day as Iraq said its air force carried out a raid on IS positions in Syria.

Tehran supports the Iraqi government and the Russian-backed regime in Syria in fighting rebel groups and jihadists by sending “military advisers” and “volunteers” from Iran and Afghanistan.

— AFP