US not after eradicating Takfiri terrorism: Ayatollah Khamenei

Leader of Iran’s Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei says the United States has never been seeking to root out Takfiri terrorism, but it is rather making efforts to preserve some terror groups in the Middle East to advance its goals.

Ayatollah Khamenei made the remarks in a meeting with Ammar Hakim, the leader of the National Iraqi Alliance (NIA), and his accompanying delegation in the Iranian capital, Tehran, on Sunday.

“Despite their superficial claims, they [Americans] have not at all been after uprooting Takfiri terrorists, but have attempted, instead, to preserve some of the terrorists to pursue their future objectives,” the Leader said.

“Now, in [Iraq’s] Mosul and also in Syria, the US is not in favor of the total defeat of Takfiri terrorists,” Ayatollah Khamenei added.

The Leader hailed the formation of an alliance between Iraqi Shia groups as a major development and underlined the need for strengthening the foundations of such unity.

Since September, Ammar has served as the head of the NIA, comprising Shia political parties.

The alliance, which holds the majority of seats in the Iraqi parliament, includes four political parties, namely the State of Law Coalition, the Islamic Supreme Council of Iraq, the National Reform Trend Party and the Sadrist Movement.

Ayatollah Khamenei further advised the National Iraqi Alliance not to trust the Americans, warning that Washington has always been against powerful Muslim countries such as Iraq.

The Leader further stressed that Iraq’s progress serves Iran’s interests, while more coordination between the two sides would be in the interest of both Muslim nations.

Elsewhere in his comments, Ayatollah Khamenei expressed satisfaction with the measures taken by the government of Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi, especially its support for the Popular Mobilization Units (PMU), also known as Hashd al-Shaabi forces.

The Leader said the PMU is a “huge resource” and national wealth for Iraq, which should be supported and reinforced.

Hakim, for his part, hailed the Leader’s guidance and the Islamic Republic’s support for his country.

He also highlighted a recently approved law in the Iraqi parliament that gave full legal status to the PMU, saying the legislation was an important achievement of the country’s Shia alliance.

Gruesome violence has plagued the northern and western parts of Iraq ever since the Takfiri Daesh terrorist group mounted an offensive there over two years ago, and took control of portions of Iraqi territory.

Since October 17, Iraqi army troops and allied fighters have been leading an offensive to retake the city of Mosul, the last Daesh bastion in the country.

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