Iran sends 81st division, tanks, helicopters into northern Iraq

NICOSIA — Iran has deployed combat units in Iraq.

Iraqi Kurdish sources said Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps has sent thousands of soldiers to northern Iraq to fight Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant.
Kurdish sources say this photos shows elements of Iran's 81st Division in Khaneghein, northern Iraq.

Kurdish sources say this photo shows elements of Iran’s 81st Division in Khaneghein, northern Iraq.

The sources said IRGC infantry units have been supported by helicopters, main battle tanks and armored personnel carriers.

“They are moving in and out of Iraq from the northern Iranian border to make sure ISIL does not try to infiltrate,” a source said.

The sources said IRGC has been joined by the regular Iranian Army. They cited the army’s 81st Armored Division, experienced in counter-insurgency operations, including fighting Kurds in Iran.

The 81st Division has been operating near units of the Kurdish Regional Government north of Jawala. The sources said the division, with both U.S.-and Russian-origin MBTs, was concentrated along the border town of Sar E Pole Zahab.

At this point, the 81st Division was not known to have engaged ISIL, which has sought to advance to the Kurdish capital of Irbil. The sources said the division was seen deploying U.S.-origin M-60A1 tanks, a 1960s-era platform vulnerable to ISIL anti-tank weapons.

“The Iranians are being cautious, and so far have not joined up with the Kurds against ISIL,” the source said.

http://www.worldtribune.com/2014/08/26/kurds-say-iran-sent-combat-units-tanks-northern-iraq/