Rear Admiral Ali Shamkhani, a senior Aide of Iranian Leader, made the remarks while addressing a commemoration ceremony for 1870 martyrs of Kurdistan province who were assassinated following Islamic Revolution and during Sacred War against Saddam. The ceremony also coincided with Iranian President Hassan Rouhani’s 2013 proposal to the UN dubbed WAVE which is an acronym for ‘World against Violence and Extremism’, which was adopted by the UN General Assembly.

He said the large number of assassinated martyrs in Kurdistan province was an indication of their correct thinking, bravery and faith.

Praising the invaluable status of the 1870 martyrs of Kurdistan after the Islamic Revolution and Imposed War, the official said “border provinces, especially Kurdistan, are an impenetrable barrier and an indelible fortress against hard and soft invasions of enemies.”

SNSC secretary acknowledged great traits and characteristics of the people of Kurdistan, such as spirit, perseverance, hard work and patriotism adding “the deep love and attachment of the people of Kurdistan to their Iranian and Islamic identity has always thwarted the constant struggle of enemies at different times to cause split and insecurity inside the region.”

He described Kurdistan as a land with vast capacities in various human, natural and transit fields; “through proper policy making and engaging public participation and real support from productive private sectors, existing potentials can be turned into various economic opportunities creating sustainable employment.”

Later into his remarks, the official referred to recent developments in the region and successive defeats of IS and its regional and international supporters. Shamkhani stressed that activation of new political and security capacities with participation of the region’s independent states while eliminating unprecedented threats of terrorist groups has formed a new chapter in regional participation.

Secretary of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council (SNSC) Ali Shamkhani further reffered to the recent developments in Iraq and stated that the conspiracy to isolate Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) from Iraq failed at its outset thanks to alertness of regional countries.

Reporter’s code: 50101