Iran and Iraq Formalize Security Cooperation with New Pact

Iran and Iraq have signed a comprehensive security memorandum of understanding in Baghdad, aimed at enhancing cooperation on intelligence sharing, joint patrols, and counter-smuggling operations along their 1,450 km shared border. The agreement was finalized on August 11, with key officials including Iran’s Supreme National Security Council Secretary Ali Larijani and Iraq’s National Security Adviser Qasim al-Araji present, alongside Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia’ al-Sudani.

This memorandum builds upon a security treaty signed in March 2023, which focused on improving border security and reducing tensions between the two nations. The new MoU establishes a framework for operational collaboration, particularly addressing the presence of armed Iranian Kurdish opposition groups in Iraq, which Iran has accused of launching attacks from Iraqi territory. The agreement aims to prevent Iraqi soil from being used for operations against Iran.

The signing of this pact reflects a significant shift in relations between the two countries, which were once adversaries during an eight-year war in the 1980s. Iraqi officials have emphasized that this memorandum serves as a framework for cooperation rather than a binding treaty, indicating a structured approach to implementing the security measures agreed upon in the earlier treaty. The logistical challenges of the diverse terrain along the border further complicate the execution of joint security operations.

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Source: KLEA News