Major General Seyed Abdolrahim Mousavi, the commander of Iran’s Army, said on Monday that Iran has strengthened its air defense systems in the northwestern region of the country. Mousavi said his army will severely counter the presence of terrorists on its border, Tehran Times reports.

As reported earlier, thousands of terrorist mercenaries are fighting alongside Azerbaijani troops against Karabakh. Armenia was the first to report on Turkey's deployment of thousands of Syrian fighters to Azerbaijan. International media publications followed suit, as did reactions from France, Russia, Iran and Syria.

“Air defense units have been strengthened in the northwestern region of the country and will be further strengthened if needed,” said the top general, adding, “The tranquility of the people is of special importance to us.”

Mousavi, who also serves as the commander of the Khatam al-Anbiya Air Defense Base, underlined the importance of preserving the security of the people, especially those who live in border areas.

General Mousavi added, “Respecting the territorial integrity of countries and preserving the official international borders are among our well-known principles and we will not tolerate any changes in these borders. We have opposed these changes and will continue to do so.”

Mousavi said Takfiri and Daesh terrorists are "ostracized elements" all over the world, and their presence everywhere causes hatred and insecurity: "Our forces, as they proved many times, will severely counter the presence of these elements."

Azerbaijan, with help from Turkey and Syrian and Libyan mercenaries deployed by Ankara, started a war against Karabakh (Artsakh) in the morning of September 27. The Armenian side has reported deaths and injuries both among the civilian population and the military. Foreign and local journalists too have been injured in Azeri shelling of towns and villages.