Iraq Wants To To Buy Russia's S-400 Air Defense System

An S-400 air defence missile system is deployed for a combat duty at the Hmeymim airbase to provide security of the Russian air group's flights in Syria. © Dmitriy Vinogradov / Sputnik

The Warzone/The Drive: Iraq Looking To Buy Russia's S-400 Air Defense System: Report

Such a deal would have serious geopolitical and strategic consequences, but it really it isn't that unexpected.

The Iraqi MP who heads the country's security and defense committee, Hakim Al Zamili, has been quoted as making the case for Baghdad to pursue a modern integrated air defense and surface to air missile system—namely Russia's much touted S-400 system.

Al Zamili stated the following according to Russia's TASS News Agency:

"Iraq has the right to own cutting-edge weapons to defend its territory and air space from air attacks... Terrorism targets our country abundant in places sacred for every Iraqi. There are signs and warnings that extremists might use aircraft for attacks on those shrines, which cause lots of worries and anxiety in the country... America is a developed country, not less than any other. However, the World Trade Center was attacked by planes... So Iraq intends to possess such a system as S-400 to defend the land, shrines and air space. We are serious about that.... [The U.S.] is unwilling to equip Iraq with arms and to supply it with systems that will ensure comprehensive protection in its territory and air space...but wants Iraq to be an open arena for realization of [US] plans. That is why, Iraq needs to have own [anti-aircraft] systems, it is our right to obtain them."

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WNU Editor: Iraq will be opened to sanctions from the U.S. should they proceed with this purchase .... which is why this deal will not happen now. But in the future .... I would not be surprised if they do purchase these weapon systems from Russia.

More News On Iraq Wanting To To Buy Russia's S-400 Air Defense System

US warns Iraq on purchase of Russian arms -- Kurdistan 24
Russia ready to provide Iraq with S-400 anti-aircraft system: ambassador -- Iraqi News
Iraq needs S-400 air defense systems to defend against air attacks — MP -- TASS
Iraqi Analyst Explains Why Baghdad Needs Russian Air Defense System -- Sputnik

Russia Wants To Assist Iraq In Destroying What Is Left Of The Islamic State

Russian long-range bombers hit ISIS targets in the northeast of Syria, in this still image taken from a video released by Russian Defense Ministry, on November 25. The coalition of Russia, Iran and Syria has claimed victory over the militants, which the U.S. was also battling in Iraq and Syria. Russian Federation/Handout via REUTERS TV

Newsweek: Russian Military Wants to Help Trump Destroy ISIS in Iraq

Russia has offered to assist the U.S. in the final stages of the fight against the Islamic State militant group (ISIS) in Iraq after Moscow declared total victory against the jihadis in neighboring Syria.

Russia has long questioned the effectiveness and intentions of U.S. forces in the Middle East, especially in the fight against ISIS, which both Washington and Moscow have vowed to destroy. With the militants’ self-proclaimed caliphate collapsing, Russian First Deputy Defense Minister Valery Gerasimov said Wednesday he stood ready to assist the U.S. in Iraq after the two countries waged separate, at times competing, campaigns in Syria, where he accused the U.S. and its coalition allies of focusing on building bases rather than putting an end to the conflict.

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WNU Editor: Russia is saying that the Americans will not agree to such an arrangement .... US Not Likely to Accept Russia's Help in Liberating Iraq From Daesh - Ambassador (Sputnik). But this is actually a decision that only the Iraqi government can make. And while I am sure that U.S. forces in Iraq will feel uneasy if Russian forces are deployed in Iraq .... bottom line .... this is still an Iraqi decision.

Moscow And Baghdad Agree To A Huge Arms Deal Involving Tanks

T-90 tank © Alexey Kudenko / Sputnik

Strategic Cultural Foundation: Moscow, Baghdad Sign Huge Arms Deal

It was reported on July 20 that Russia and Iraq have struck a deal on supplying a large batch of T-90 tanks. Vladimir Kozhin, the Russian president’s aide for military technical cooperation, confirmed the agreement but declined to provide details, saying only «the number of tanks is substantial». Russian military analyst Ruslan Pukhov told Russian newspaper Izvestia that the deal might cover deliveries of several hundred T-90 tanks, and that the contract may exceed $1 billion.

The T-90 is among the best-selling tanks in the world. Hundreds of vehicles have been sold to India, Algeria, Azerbaijan and other countries. A small number of tanks has been delivered to Syria to reinforce the military’s capabilities of combatting Islamic State (IS). Kuwait, Vietnam and Egypt are considering the option of purchasing T-90s.

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More News On The Russian - Iraqi Arms Deal On Tanks

Iraq to receive Russian T-90 tanks in 2017 -- Iraqi News
Iraq to buy ‘large batch’ of advanced Russian T-90 tanks – Kremlin -- RT
Iraq Purchases 73 T-90 Tank Variants From Russia -- Defense World
Tanks: Russia to supply large batch of tanks to Iraq -- Economic Times
Why Russia's T-90 Is the Tank of Choice for Iraq -- Sputnik
A T-90 tank shoots during a demo exercise at Alabino base (File)'Space Age Technology': Why Russia's T-90 Tank is Taking Over the World -- Sputnik

The Growing Russia - Iraq Military Alliance

Iraqi Foreign Minister Ibrahim al-Jaafari (R) and Russia's Deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Rogozin (L) sign documents in Baghdad, Iraq February 11, 2016. REUTERS/Khalid al Mousily

Reuters: Russia boosts ties with Iraq in challenge to U.S. influence

Russia is ready to sell civil airliners to Iraq and keep providing it with military aid to fight Islamic State, Deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Rogozin said on Thursday, accompanied on a trip to Baghdad by the biggest Russian delegation in years.

The mission by nearly 100 government and business officials was part of a drive by Moscow to strengthen commercial and security ties with Iraq, potentially eroding U.S. influence in one of the world's most critical regions.

Iraqi Foreign Minister Ibrahim al-Jaafari said discussions had revolved around providing military assistance to defeat Islamic State militants, also known as Daesh, who seized a third of Iraq in 2014 and want to redraw the map of the Middle East.

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WNU Editor; This enhanced military cooperation will not entail Russian air strikes in Iraq (for now) .... Deputy PM: Russia is not going to expand air operation in Syria to neighboring countries (TASS)

More News On The Growing Russia - Iraq Military Alliance

Iraq, Russia to Discuss Deliveries of Modern Russian Weapons to Iraqi Army -- Sputnik
Russian official hopes cooperation with Iraq will help free Mosul from IS -- TASS
Russia ready to cooperate with Iraq in many spheres — deputy PM -- TASS
Iraq appreciates Russia’s support in freeing its territory from terrorists — minister -- TASS
Iraq Striving to Expel All Terrorists from Country, Praises Russia's Help -- Sputnik
Russia, Iraq Sign Roadmap for Development of Relations - Russia's Deputy PM -- Sputnik

Russia is Reaching Out To Iraq's Sunni Tribes

Russia's President Vladimir Putin (C) attends a conference at the main operation centre of the Russian armed forces, with Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu (L) and armed forces Chief-of-Staff Valery Gerasimov (R) in Moscow, June 6, 2013. Credit: Reuters/Michael Klimentyev/RIA Novosti/Kremlin

Shane Harris, Nancy A. Youssef, & Michael Weiss, Daily Beast: Putin ‘Seducing’ Iraq’s Tribes

“Russia is serious in fighting terrorism,” one sheikh tells The Daily Beast, ”unlike the U.S.”

BAGHDAD, Iraq — In the last Iraq war, the U.S. military helped beat ISIS’ predecessors with the help of the Sunni tribes. Now, Russia is trying to take a page from the old American playbook, and forge its own tribal alliances.

“Russia is serious in fighting terrorism and wants to finish the war as soon as possible, unlike the U.S.,” Faisal al-Asafi, a Sunni sheikh in Iraq’s Anbar province who opposes ISIS, told The Daily Beast. “Russia has already started bombing the transmission lines of ISIS while the U.S. is watching ISIS fighters moving freely from Syria to Anbar.”

Two U.S. officials told The Daily Beast that they are seeing early signs of this Russian outreach to Sunni tribal leaders in Iraq, aimed at bolstering the minority sect’s efforts to combat ISIS militants embedded within Sunni communities.

WNU Editor: Russia is looking for allies in its war in Syria .... it makes sense to reach out to the Sunni Arab tribes in western Iraq.

Iraq Has Authorized Russia To Strike Islamic State Targets Inside The Country

A senior official said Russia will be conducting airstrikes against Daesh convoys inside Iraq. (Russian state media)

Al Bawaba: Iraq authorizes Russian airstrikes against Daesh

The Iraqi government authorized Russia to target Daesh (ISIS) convoys coming from Syria, a senior Iraqi official said.

The authorization for Russia to target Daesh inside Iraq comes amid security coordination between Iraq, Russia, Iran and Syria.

Hakem al-Zamli, chief of the Iraqi parliament’s security and defense committee, told Anadolu Agency on Friday that the measure contributed to weakening Daesh by cutting off its supply routes.

Update #1: Russian Islamic State Airstrikes In Iraq: ISIS OK For Russia To Target, Baghdad Says -- IBTimes
Update #2: Iraq authorises Russia to strike Islamic State inside country -- Middle East Eye

WNU Editor: So much for U.S. threats .... U.S. Warns Iraq That If They Accept Russian Help To Battle The Islamic State, The U.S. Will Not Help Them and U.S. statements that Russian air strikes are not needed .... Top U.S. General: Russian Air Campaign In Iraq Not Needed. What's my take on this development .... the Russian rules of engagement in Iraq are limited to only striking ISIS convoys from Syria. But I predict that this ROE will be changed within a month, and within a few more months Russian planes will be attacking on a regular basis Islamic State positions on the Iraqi side of the Syria border. If the Russian military campaign shows forward progress in Syria .... I will then expect Russian fighter jets on Iraqi soil soon after.