Russian Foreign Minister: Russia Assisting Iraq In The Fight Against The Islamic State

Reuters: Lavrov says Russia helping fight against militants in Iraq

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said on Wednesday Moscow was helping the fight against Islamist insurgents in Iraq with the consent of the Baghdad government.

"It is necessary to support the cooperation between the Iraqi government and the Iraqi Kurdistan in the fight against terrorism, but we are doing it with the consent of the government," he said.

Lavrov, speaking at the Barents Euro-Arctic Council in Oulu, Finland, also said a new intelligence center in Baghdad currently staffed by Russian, Iraqi, Iranian and Syrian officials remained open to all interested parties.

Previous Post: In A Sign Of Growing Iraqi Frustration With The U.S., Iraq's Military Is Now Working With Russia, Iran, And Syria

WNU Editor: Russia's involvement is expanding. Here is an easy prediction .... Russian - Iraqi military cooperation is going to increase regardless of what the U.S. may say and/or demand.

Iraq May Ask Russia Launch Airstrikes Against The Islamic State

NBC/Reuters: Iraq May Request Russian Airstrikes Against ISIS: Official

BAGHDAD — Iraq may request Russian airstrikes against ISIS on its soil soon and wants Moscow to have a bigger role than the United States in the war against the militant group, the head of parliament's defense and security committee said on Wednesday.

"We might be forced to ask Russia to launch airstrikes in Iraq soon," Hakim al-Zamili told Reuters. "I think the upcoming few days or weeks Iraq will be forced to ask Russia to launch air strikes and that depends on their success in Syria."

Iraq's government and powerful Iranian-backed Shiite militias question the United States' resolve in fighting ISIS militants, who control a third of the country. They say U.S.-led coalition airstrikes are ineffective.

WNU editor: This Russian expansion is probably going to happen. In a recent France24 interview, the Iraqi Prime Minister mades his frustrations with the U.S. very clear .... Iraqi PM Abadi accuses Obama of a lack of “will,” and may invite Russia to bomb ISIS (AEI). The above video is an interview between the Iraqi PM and PBS that was done last week where he also states very clearly that he would welcome Russian participation.

More News On Reports That Iraq May Ask Russia To Launch Airstrikes Against The Islamic State

Russia 'may start bombing Isil in Iraq as well as Syria' -- The Telegraph
Iraqi Shiite Politicians Call for Russian Airstrikes on Islamic State -- WSJ
Top Diplomat: Iraq Welcomes Russian Airstrikes Against Islamic State -- Washington Free Beacon
Iraq May Ask Russia for Airstrikes Against Islamic State -- Sputnik
Military officials say Iraq likely to welcome ‘no red line’ Russian airstrikes -- Middle East Eye

Russian Diplomat: If Baghdad Asks Russia Will Consider Launching Air Strikes Into Iraq

Reuters: Russia says would consider any Iraqi request for air strikes against Islamic State

The Russian Foreign Ministry said on Thursday it would consider any request from the Iraqi government to conduct air strikes against Islamic State inside Iraq, but said it had not yet received such an appeal, the RIA Novosti news agency reported.

It cited the foreign ministry as saying it would evaluate the "political and military" logic of such a move if a request was forthcoming.

WNU Editor: If Russia does get involved in the Iraq conflict .... it will not be with the coalition led by the U.S. .... Russia says will not join U.S.-led coalition against Islamic State: RIA (Reuters). My prediction .... if Russia military operations show signs of success in Syria, Iraq will invite them into the country to launch strikes on ISIS militants.

More News On Reports That Russia May Launch Air Strikes Against Islamic State Targets In Iraq

Russia would consider Iraq strikes if Baghdad asks: senior diplomat -- AFP
The Latest: Russia says not invited to strike in Iraq -- AP
Will Russia Launch Airstrikes In Iraq? Muslim Scholars Warn Russian Military Intervention In Iraqi Affairs -- IBTimes
Iraqi prime minister says he would ‘welcome’ Russian airstrikes -- Washington Post
Prime Minister Abadi: Iraq welcomes Russia in Islamic State fight -- PBS Newshour
Iraqi FM: Russia must work with coalition in Syria -- Rudaw
Why is Iraq ignoring US concerns about Russia? -- David L. Phillips, CNBC

Russia To Aid Iraq In Their War Against The Islamic State

Russian President Vladimir Putin (R) shakes hands with Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi during their meeting at the Kremlin in Moscow, Russia, May 21, 2015. (Reuters)

Bloomberg: Iraqi Premier Meets Putin as Islamic State Threat Grows

Russian President Vladimir Putin began talks with Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi in Moscow on Thursday as accelerating gains by Islamic State pose a growing threat in the Middle East.

Abadi told Putin he hoped his visit to Russia would help the fight against terrorism in Iraq and in the region. Islamic State militants last week seized the city of Ramadi, 110 kilometers (68 miles) west of the capital Baghdad. The radical Sunni group, which controls large swathes of Iraq and Syria, on Wednesday also occupied the northern Syrian city of Palmyra, a strategic location that is home to one of the region’s most renowned classical sites.

More News On Russia Ready To Aid Iraq In Their War Against The Islamic State

Moscow ready to supply weapons to Iraq to help fight ISIS -- RT
Iraqi leader in Moscow for talks on investment, weapons -- AP
Russia ready to help Iraq defeat Islamic State: Lavrov -- Reuters
Iraqi PM urges Russia to boost role in fighting IS -- AFP
Moscow offers Baghdad military aid, investment -- Deutsche Welle
Isis: Russia pledges weapons to Iraq in battle against Islamic State -- IBTimes
Iraqi prime minister seeks Russian support against Islamic State -- Middle East Online
Iraq PM heads to Russia seeking more arms -- i24 News
Putin: Russia, Iraq expanding military cooperation -- Al Arabiya

Russia's Military Support Will Not Save Iraq

Sukhoi Su-25 jet fighters fly above a military ground near the town of Osipovichi, some 100 km (62 miles) southeast of Minsk, September 25, 2013. (Vasily Fedosenko / Reuters)

Russian Aircraft Can’t Save Iraq -- Michael Peck, War Is Boring

Baghdad needs tough troops, not tough aircraft.

Like many nations whose armies disintegrated, the Iraqi government is looking to the sky for salvation.

As Sunni militants continue their mostly unopposed blitz across northern Iraq, Moscow has sold Baghdad a dozen Su-25 Frogfoot close air support aircraft—in essence, Russia’s equivalent to America’s A-10 Warthog—as well as trainers to teach Iraqis how to fly the straight-wing jets.

Prime Minister Nouri Maliki has blamed his army’s rout on Washington’s refusal to speed delivery of new F-16s, currently slated for handover this fall. The Islamic State of Iraq and Syria militants “could have been repelled if Iraq had proper air defense,” Maliki said, according to Russian media.

“I’ll be frank and say that we were deluded when we signed the contract [with the U.S.],” Maliki complained to Russia’s RT News. “We should have sought to buy other jet fighters—like British, French and Russian—to secure the air cover for our forces.”

Read more ....

My Comment: Michael Peck nails it in this post.

Are Russian Pilots About To Fly Combat Missions In Iraq?

Russian soldiers push a Russian Sukhoi Su-25 plane as it arrives in al-Muthanna Iraqi military base at Baghdad’s airport, June 28, 2014. (Reuters)

Exclusive: Putin’s Pilots Set to Fly Over Iraq -- Josh Rogin, Daily Beast

Russia may not have boots on the ground in Iraq—yet. But it will have them in the sky; Russian pilots could be flying over Iraq within days.

While the Obama administration struggles to speed up delivery of U.S. military assistance to the government of Iraq, Vladimir Putin has already delivered not only fighter jets but also the pilots needed to fly them, diplomatic sources told The Daily Beast.

On Monday, Russian television trumpeted the arrival of the first five of 12 promised Sukhoi Su-25 combat fighter jets to the Iraqi government, saying it had also sent “trainers” to help the Iraqis use them. Gen. Anwar Hama Ameen, the commander of the Iraqi Air Force, told The New York Times the fighter jets would enter the battle against ISIS within a few days, after which the Russian trainers would leave Iraq. He said Iraq had plenty of pilots with “long experience” flying the Su-25. The Russian ambassador to Iraq also said Russian pilots would not fly missions inside Iraq.

Read more ....

My Comment: This would be a major strategic shift for Russia .... and a commitment to become involved in Iraq's civil war on a level that they are not even doing in Syria. It would also be a blow to U.S. influence in Iraq .... and a definite downgrade in it's reputation as being a reliable defense partner.

On a side note .... I must confess that the idea that Russian pilots would be flying combat missions in Iraq would have been inconceivable to me only a year ago. But then again .... who Could have predicted the fall of Libya's Gaddafi, the revolution in Egypt, the civil war in Syria, the unrest in Yemen, and the civil war in Iraq 4 years ago. Sighhh .... the world is certainly entering a far different and dangerous place .... and the outlook for the future (from my vantage point) is even darker.

Russian Military Advisers Are Now In Iraq

Russian Advisers Ready Iraq to Use New Combat Aircraft -- Bloomberg

Russian military advisers helped to prepare Iraq’s air force to use five newly delivered combat planes in its campaign to recapture areas of the country’s north that fell to an al-Qaeda breakaway.

The used Russian Sukhoi combat aircraft arrived in Iraq as government ground forces, backed by helicopter gunships, pressed their offensive to drive Sunni fighters of the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant from the northern city of Tikrit. Al-Mada Press reported late yesterday that government forces recaptured Ouja village, Saddam Hussein’s birthplace, south of Tikrit.

The Iraqi government turned to Russia to bolster its air capabilities, saying U.S. fighter jets were taking too long to be delivered. Russian advisers who arrived in Iraq are helping to put the “logistical procedures in place,” and the aircraft will enter service within three to four days, air force commander General Anwar Ameen said yesterday on state-run Iraqiya TV.

Read more ....

Previous Post: Iraq Receives It's First Batch Of Russian Fighter Jets

My Comment: From a PR point of view .... this is win - win for Russia. But will these jet fighters change the course of the conflict .... I doubt it.

Iraq Receives It's First Batch Of Russian Fighter Jets

A Sukhoi Su-24 jet fighter (Reuters / Shamil Zhumatov)

First Batch Of Russian Jets Arrives In Iraq -- RT

The first ten Russian Sukhoi (Su-24) fighter jets arrived in Iraq on Saturday, the country’s Defense Ministry said. Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki is hoping the jets will make a key difference in the fight against ISIS.

“The fighter jets landed today in the morning on different military airfields,” MP Abbas al-Bayati told Iraqi media.

The official spokesperson for the Iraqi Ministry of Defense, Mohammed al-Askari, also confirmed the information, Al Iraqiya TV channel reported.

The fighter jets will be stationed at an airbase located in the southern part of the country, PressTV reported, citing military sources.

Read more ....

More News On The First Batch Of Russian Jets Arriving In Baghdad

Iraq crisis: Russian fighter jets arrive as Iraq military battles ISIS -- CNN
Iraq Says Russian Experts Have Arrived to Help Prepare Jets for Fighting -- New York Times
Iraq crisis: Russian fighter jets arrive to hold back Isis approach -- The Independent
Iraq receives Russian fighter jets -- AFP
Iraq receives Russian fighter jets to fight rebels -- BBC
First batch of 5 Russian jet fighters arrive in Iraq -- Xinhua
Russian jets arrive in Iraq as government pushes back -- Channel 4 News
Iraq takes delivery of Russian fighter jets -- Al Jazeera
Russia sends Sukhoi fighter jets to help Iraq counter extremists’ offensive -- Middle East Online

My Comment: I doubt that this delivery of a few jet fighters will make a difference in Iraq's civil war, but the optics on how this delivery is being played in the Middle East is very revealing. The U.S. is seen as being slow and hesitant in supporting their Iraqi allies (while giving conditions on what their support will be) .... and Russia is seen as rushing in and giving aid unconditionally. The ramifications of this perception .... whether it is right or wrong .... is going to be felt for a very long time.

Citing Corruption, Iraq Scraps $4.2 Billion Arms Deal

Russian President Vladimir Putin (R) meets with Iraqi Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki in his Novo-Ogaryovo residence outside Moscow October 10, 2012. REUTERS/Kirril Kudryavtsev/Pool

Iraq Cancels $4.2bn Russian Arms Deal Over 'Corruption' -- BBC

Iraq has cancelled a $4.2bn (£2.6bn) deal to buy arms from Russia because of concerns about "corruption", an Iraqi government advisor has said.

Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri Maliki has suspicions about corruption within his own team, his spokesman told the BBC.

The purchase - said to include attack helicopters and missiles - was only signed off in October.

Iraq has been rebuilding its armed forces since the end of US-led combat operations against insurgents.

One Russian military expert has suggested that the Iraqi authorities scuppered the Russian arms deal under pressure from Washington.

Read more ....

More News On Iraq Canceling A $4.2bn Russian Arms Deal Over 'Corruption'

Iraq: $4.2 Bln Russian Arms Deal ‘Canceled’ -- RIA Novosti
Iraq Rethinks Russian Arms Deal -- Voice of America
Iraq cancels new arms deal with Russia -- CNN
Iraq scraps $4.2 bln Russian arms deal, cites graft -- Reuters
Iraq cancels $4.2bn Russia arms deal -- International News
Iraq cancels $4.2 bln Russian arms deal over suspected graft -- The Daily Star
Iraq scraps $4.2 billion arms deal with Russia -- Deutsche Welle

My Comment: Corruption in Russia and Iraq ..... say it ain't so.

Iraq Signs Massive Military Deal With Russia

Mi-28 attack helicopter. © RIA Novosti. Sergey Venyavsky

Iraq PM Confirms $4 Bln Arms Deal With Russia -- RIA Novosti

Russia will deliver attack helicopters and mobile air-defense systems to Iraq in arms deals worth $4.2 billion signed earlier this year, it was disclosed today during a visit to Moscow by Iraqi Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki in which he met his counterpart Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev.

Moscow will supply 30 Mil Mi-28NE night/all-weather capable attack helicopters, and 50 Pantsir-S1 gun-missile short-range air defense systems. The contracts, among the biggest ever signed between Iraq and Russia, were signed in April, July and August by Iraq's acting defense minister, according to documents released on Tuesday during al-Maliki's visit.

Vedomosti daily said the deal was Russia's largest arms deal since 2006.

Read more ....

More News On Today's Russia - Iraq Arms Deal

Russia, Iraq agree to $4.3-billion military hardware deal -- RT
Iraq lands major weapons deal with Russia -- UPI
Iraq buys $4.2 billion in Russian weapons - document -- Reuters
Russia gets $4.2B arms deals with Iraq -- Salt Lake Tribune/Bloomberg
Russia seals $US4.2bn Iran arms deal -- SKY News
Russia to become Iraq's second-biggest arms supplier -- BBC
Iraq, Russia Sign Multi-Billion Dollar Arms Contracts -- Voice of America
Iraq to buy $4.2 billion worth of Russian weps -- Voice of Russia

My Comment: This deal will probably be the first of many.