Minister denies Iranian forces ventured onto Iraqi oilfield
Latest update : 2009-12-18
Iraq's deputy interior minister has denied a report by an Iraqi security source who claimed Iranian troops had briefly occupied an oilfield located on the Iraqi side of the two countries’ lengthy desert border.
REUTERS - Iraq's deputy interior minister denied on Friday reports that Iranian troops had crossed into Iraqi territory and occupied, at least briefly, an oilfield.
"This news in not true. This field is disputed and now it is neglected by both sides. There was no storming of the field. It's empty, it's abandoned. It is exactly on the border of Iraq and Iran," Ahmed Ali al-Khafaji told Reuters.
Earlier, a security source in southeastern Maysan province, speaking on condition of anonymity, said Iranian troops made their way onto the Fakka oilfield on Thursday but withdrew after several hours. Arab-language television reported Iranian troops had entered the field and raised an Iranian flag.
Date created : 2009-12-18