Iran and Iraq have started out joint military maneuvers in the Islamic Republic’s west and northwest to practice providing security for their common borders. The drills, codenamed Eqtedar (Authority), recruit armored, artillery, and infantry units of the Iranian Army, the drone and helicopter squadrons of the Ground Forces of Iran’s Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC), as well as some units enlisted with the Iraqi Army, ISNA reported on Monday. The exercises span the borders of Iran’s West Azarbaijan and Kordestan Provinces. Speaking on the sidelines of the drills, the IRGC’s Ground Forces Commander Brigadier General Mohammad Pakpour said, “Facing common enemies, Iran and Iraq consider ensuring the security of their long borders against threats to be a perpetual and common necessity”.
