KEY HIGHLIGHTS
Sunday, 6 September 2015, Iraqi carried out its first aerial bombardments against Islamic State’s targets using the country’s F-16 fighter jets provided by the United State.
According to Iraq military official, the jets conducts 15 airstrikes targeting the Islamic State militants who seized control in large regions in western and northern Iraq last
With modern warplanes “Definitely they will have a positive impact in the battles in the future,” Iraqi Defense Minister Khaled Al Obaidi said.
Iraq had procured to buy 18 F-16 fighter jets from United States at cost of $3 billion. Though U.S. has delayed in honoring the purchase contract, it made delivery of the first batch to Iraq in July,2015.
U.S. Defense Department Press Secretary Peter Cook praised Iraq’s air force in a statement Sunday for successful precision campaigns against the Islamic State group.
SUMMARY
United State is committed to building a strategic partnership with Iraq government and the Iraq people. U.S. needs to enhance good working relation with the Government of Iraq on the delivery of the remaining fighter jets within the framework of production schedule.
U.S. has been on the forefront in the fight against ‘Daesh’. The country has been leading the international coalition airstrikes from August 2014 in Iraq and in Syria.
According to Pentagon data, U.S.-led coalition planes have conducted more than 4,100 airstrikes in Iraq and another 2,500 in Syria.
The Islamic State Takfiris have been committing vicious crimes against all ethnic and religious communities in Iraq including Sunnis, Shias, Kurds, and Christians.
Iraqi ground troops backed by militia fighters have made some progress in regaining territory, but still the militants control much of the seized territory, including several of Iraq’s biggest cities.
