National Security & Defense

Eugene

(61,899 posts) Fri Oct 25, 2013, 11:21 AM Oct 2013

Iraq to press U.S. on drones, F-16s to fight al Qaeda

Source: Reuters

Iraq to press U.S. on drones, F-16s to fight al Qaeda

By Peg Mackey
BAGHDAD | Fri Oct 25, 2013 10:38am EDT

(Reuters) - The Baghdad government wants the immediate delivery of U.S. drones and F-16 fighter jets in order to combat al Qaeda insurgents, who are making swift advances in the west of the Iraq, a senior Iraqi security official said.

Washington agreed in August to supply a $2.6 billion integrated air defense system and F-16 fighter jets, with delivery due in autumn 2014.

Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki, who will meets U.S. President Barack Obama in Washington next week, has also requested drones to carry out surveillance of Iraq's desert border with Syria.

But Deputy National Security Adviser Safa al-Sheikh Hussein said Iraq needs them now.

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2 replies

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Iraq to press U.S. on drones, F-16s to fight al Qaeda (Original Post) Eugene Oct 2013 OP

Why the hell do they need F16's to fight al Qaeda? denverbill Oct 2013 #1

Isn't the Russian stuff enough ? jakeXT Oct 2013 #2

denverbill

(11,489 posts)

1. Why the hell do they need F16's to fight al Qaeda?

Reply to Eugene (Original post)

Fri Oct 25, 2013, 11:27 AM

Oct 2013

And do we really want drones in the hands of a government that isn't particularly even that friendly to us?

I don't know. I get the feeling that 'al Qaeda' in this case is more likely Sunni militia supported by Saudi Arabia. I think the F-16s are more likely needed to counter Saudi Arabia in the event Iraq and SA go to war, which is not all that far-fetched a possibility.

jakeXT

(10,575 posts)

2. Isn't the Russian stuff enough ?

Reply to Eugene (Original post)

Fri Oct 25, 2013, 12:14 PM

Oct 2013

BAGHDAD, Oct. 21 (UPI) -- As Iraq's government grapples with a rising al-Qaida insurgency in which thousands have been killed, officials say the military has started taking delivery of Russian arms as part of a landmark $4.3 billion contract signed in October 2012.

They did not specify which systems have arrived in Iraq or when, but Iraqi sources say it's understood they include 10 fully armed Mil Mi-28NE Night Hunter attack helicopters, platforms that could be a major boost to the counterterrorism efforts by the government of Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki.

Read more: http://www.upi.com/Business_News/Security-Industry/2013/10/21/Iraq-gets-Russian-arms-shipments-under-landmark-44B-deal/UPI-37601382369825/

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