Iran supports Iraq in fights against terrorism

TEHRAN - Iran is supporting the Iraqi government in its fights against terrorism, Iranian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Marzieh Afkham said on Tuesday.

"Iran's principled position against terrorism has always been clear," Afkham said, adding that "we are supporting Iraqi government's measures in fighting terrorism and extremism which have inflicted part of that country."

"We will provide further supports in this regard," the spokeswoman stressed in her weekly press briefing.

She urged the international community to "take common steps in the fight against extremism, violence and terrorism."

The Iraqi security forces on Saturday lost control of Fallujah in its western Anbar province to some armed tribesmen and al-Qaida fighters after days of fierce clashes, which broke out as a result of the dismantling of an anti-government protest site near Ramadi, Anbar's provincial capital city, on December 30.

Iraq has witnessed its worst violence in recent years. According to the UN Assistance Mission for Iraq, a total of 8,868 Iraqis were killed in 2013, including 7,818 civilians and civilian police personnel, which is the highest annual death toll for years.