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Russia Sending Weapons To Iraqi Government


A Russian Sukhoi Su-25 fighter plane arrives at Iraq's Al-Muthanna military airbase at Baghdad airport earlier this month.
A Russian Sukhoi Su-25 fighter plane arrives at Iraq's Al-Muthanna military airbase at Baghdad airport earlier this month.

Russia is supplying Iraq's government with military helicopters and warplanes.

Iraqi Defense Minister Sadun al-Dalaymi was in Moscow on July 24 to meet with Russian counterpart Sergei Shoigu.

Shoigu announced new agreements had been signed at the meeting that included not only shipments of weapons but training of Iraq personnel on how to operate the Russian weapons.

AFP quoted a source in Russia's military export establishment as saying Russia had already started delivery of Mi-35 helicopter gunships and Su-25 warplanes.

Russia's Interfax news agency confirmed those shipments and added that Mi-28 helicopter gunships and Pantsyr-S1E anti-aircraft missile systems would also be sent to Iraq.

Shoigu noted during his meeting with Dalaymi that "our meeting takes place at not the best time for Iraq" and said Russia stood beside the Iraqi government "in the fight against terrorism."

Based on reporting by AFP and Interfax

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