28-04-2024 07:04 PM Jerusalem Timing

Iraq Denies Iran Uses Its Airspace to Ship Arms to Syria

Iraq Denies Iran Uses Its Airspace to Ship Arms to Syria

Iraq on Thursday denied a Western intelligence report that said Iranian aircraft had flown weapons and military personnel over Iraqi airspace to Syria to help President Bashar al-Assad regime.

Iraqi government spokesman Ali al-DabbaghIraq on Thursday denied a Western intelligence report that said Iranian aircraft had flown weapons and military personnel over Iraqi airspace to Syria to help President Bashar al-Assad regime.

The allegation said arms transfers were organized by the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps.

Although accusations that Iraq has allowed Iran to send arms to Syria are not new, the report said the extent of such shipments is far greater and more systematic than has been publicly acknowledged.

"Iraq has confirmed that it will never be involved or helping or allowing any shipment via its air space or land to Syria," Iraqi government spokesman Ali al-Dabbagh told Reuters news agency.

He said Iraq was "ready to be part of regional and international efforts or measures to stop the shipping of equipment or personnel to both sides in Syria".

Ali al-Moussawi, media adviser to Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki, said earlier this month that “there is no evidence” supporting the allegation.

"If anyone has any evidence, they should bring it to us and we will take the needed measures,” he added.