Iran Offers To Help Iraq Fight Al Qaeda

Iraqi forces are trying to remove fighters from the Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant from two cities in the Anbar province

TEHRAN, Iran — A senior Iranian military official says Iran is ready to help Iraq battle al-Qaeda "terrorists" in the neighboring country's Sunni-dominated western Anbar province.

Iraqi troops have been trying to dislodge fighters from the al-Qaeda group known as the Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant from two key cities the militants overran last week.

Gen. Mohammad Hejazi, deputy chief-of-staff of Iran's army, is quoted by Iranian media on Monday as saying the Islamic Republic can offer "military equipment and advisers" should Baghdad ask for it.

Hejazi says: "Iraq is our friend."