News for Iraq February 12th, 2016

High Russian delegation's visit to Iraq .. a big strategic shift in the region
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This is really interesting because Iran just made a swap deal with Russia today too see that here if you want

At a time when talk is sometimes all that Iraq is part of the American system in the region, and that it is linked to Iran, at other times, Moscow has surprised everyone a Russian delegation visited Baghdad large.

The delegation about the attention and expectations to a totally different direction ... The Deputy Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Rogozin, Russia's largest delegation for years, accompanied by, came to Baghdad .. visit of the delegation, which consists of about 100 government officials and business sector came under Moscow's efforts to strengthen trade ties and security with Iraq, which some see as likely to undermine US influence in one of the most sensitive regions of the world.

Following the visit, the Iraqi Foreign Minister Ibrahim al-Jaafari said that the discussions revolved around ways to provide military assistance to defeat al Daash that dominated the one-third of Iraqi territory in 2014 .. Jaafari said Iraq needs international support from various sources, whether in the context of the international coalition led by the the United States or abroad.

Rogozin, in turn, stressed that Russia is ready to sell passenger aircraft "Sukhoi Super Jet" for Iraq and continue the supplied military aid to fight Daash, referring to the hope that such aid is being used to enable Baghdad to restore the city of Mosul in the north and other areas controlled by the terrorist organization .. He suggested Rogozin hold the next meeting in Mosul; referring to the confidence in the ability of the Iraqi government to implement its pledge to restore the city this year.

Reuters STRINGER

Russian Deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Rogozin and Iraqi Foreign Minister Ibrahim al-Jaafari

Signed agreements exceeded the limits of security frameworks to include a memorandum of understanding on boosting Iraq's production of electricity, noting that Russia has invested millions of dollars in the past in Iraq's energy sector.

Visions observers have differed about the Russian delegation's visit to Baghdad, especially as it coincided with the Munich talks on ways to push forward the Syrian settlement forward on the one hand, and with the mobility of a senior diplomat Gulf toward Russia on the other hand .. motionless was etcetera visit the King of Bahrain to Moscow, will be followed next month's visit by a Saudi monarch to Moscow. What many see as a convergence between the Gulf states and Russia on the part of the other side, which may contribute to resolving a number of crises that afflict the Middle East now.

It remains the timing and the size of Russia's visit to Baghdad very noticeable interesting, especially since most experts believe that the visit came after the frequent indications of declining Iranian role in Iraq after the nuclear deal, at a time when Washington reduces the ability of Iraqi forces to restore areas controlled by Daash and reluctant to support weapons .. means that Baghdad may be in need of a Russian role an actor can move more freely to achieve the goals they seek.

This is out of the question, especially as it coincides with the magnitude of Russia's role in Syria, which means that it can not a neutral observer, however, says that Moscow is moving to achieve the geopolitical balance in the region.

Finally, Moscow's economic ties with Baghdad remains a goal of the visit, Russian, and so at some point are also on the drawing of a new Iraq in which advanced economy and moderating the balance of regional and international powers, especially since the country is preparing for the return of the era of state absent since 2003.

Omar Abdul Satta
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The arrival of "Banstar 1" and "Almanbad" Russian to Iraq
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These are tanks and there are pictures click that link if you want to see them

Baghdad balances News

A military source said on Friday, the arrival of a new batch of Russian air defense systems "Banstar 1" to Iraq.

The source told / balances News /, that "a new batch of Russian air defense systems, medium-range type"Pantsir-s1 "missiles" Almanbad "short-term arrived today to Iraq."

It is said that the number of Nizmomat Albanstar who arrived to Iraq amounted to 20 out of 48 system contracted by Iraq.

He revealed for security and defense committee member of the parliamentary Majid al-Gharawi, for the imminent arrival of advanced Russian weapons to Iraq as part of agreements between the two parties contracts. Ended 29 

Kurdish soldier becomes Iraqi army hero for destroying 60 car bombs
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ERBIL, Kurdistan Region—A Kurdish soldier in the Iraqi army has been hailed as a hero for destroying 60 Islamic State (ISIS) car bombs in battle.

Mustafa Mandalawi, said that he personally targeted and destroyed 70 ISIS vehicles in different areas of Iraq 60 of which were packed with explosives and deployed as car bombs.

Iraq’s Defense Minister Khalid al-Obaidi visit Mandalawi in hospital on Thursday where he is being treated for injuries sustained in a recent battle.

In praise of Mandalawi al-Obeidi said "if he destroys 60 car bombs then he equals the Iraqi air force."

A journalist in the hospital ward asked the defense minister if he knew Mandalawi was a Kurd to which he replied, “I just learned this information, I do not know he is a Kurd or Arab, what matters to me is that he is a hero, he is Iraqi and from the Iraqi army.”


Thousands of Kurds serve in the Iraqi army which they joined after an agreement between Erbil and Baghdad in 2005. They participated in the battle of Ramadi last year.
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