A senior adviser to Iraq's Prime Minister Ali Al Zaidi has accused Iran of deliberately undermining Iraq's security, in rare public criticism of Tehran by an Iraqi official, The National reports.
Abdelamir Taiban told local media that people linked to Iran were crossing the border illegally, that Iraqis had been kidnapped near the Shalamcheh and Al Sheeb crossings, and that drugs and counterfeit money from Iran had done more economic damage than ISIS. He urged Tehran to act and called for electronic monitoring at all crossings.
Baghdad has closed some crossings on security grounds. Lorry drivers and workers protested in Maysan province on Thursday against the closure of Al Sheeb, saying their incomes depend on it. Al Zaidi told security forces to protect peaceful demonstrators.
Source: The National
