Defense Ministry confirms arrival of Sukhoi Su-25 fighter jets in Iraq

Baghdad (IraqiNews.com) The Defense Ministry announced, on Saturday, the arrival of Russian Sukhoi (Su-25) fighter jets to Iraq.

Iraqiya TV channel announced, in a Newsflash followed by IraqiNews.com, that “The official spokesman for the Iraqi Ministry of Defense, Mohammed al-Askari announced the arrival of the Russian fighter jets, type (Sukhoi 25) to Iraq.”

On Thursday, the Iraqi Prime Minister, Nouri al-Maliki revealed to buy Sukhoi fighter jets used by Russia and Belarus to fight militants of the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant in Iraq, blaming Washington responsibility of doing so as a result of its “slow policy” .

It was reported that Russian President Vladimir Putin, had telephoned PM al-Maliki on 20 June to express the readiness of his country to support Baghdad with various heavy weapons and long-range missiles.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said that Russia hopes to strengthen the military-technical cooperation with Iraq, noting that Moscow and Baghdad have taken new and serious steps to improve the cooperation. It was agreed to supply the Iraqi government of fighter jets.