Iraq, France discuss military cooperation

 Iraq, France discuss military cooperation

The Chief of Staff of the Iraqi Army, Lieutenant General Abdul Amir Rashid Yarallah, and his French counterpart, Thierry Burkhard. Photo: INA

Baghdad (IraqiNews.com) – The Chief of Staff of the Iraqi Army, Lieutenant General Abdul Amir Rashid Yarallah, discussed on Tuesday with his French counterpart, Thierry Burkhard, military cooperation between Iraq and France.

The Iraqi Defense Ministry mentioned in a statement that Yarallah, accompanied by a high-level military delegation, visited France following an official invitation he received from Burkhard.

The statement explained that the two sides addressed aspects of bilateral cooperation at the military level, talked about providing the Iraqi Army with modern weapons and equipment, and reviewed the capabilities of the French Army, which may serve the requirements of the Iraqi Army.

Yarallah expressed appreciation for France’s support of Iraq, on the military or humanitarian level, especially during the liberation battles against ISIS terrorists.

The Chief of Staff of the French Army commended the capabilities of the Iraqi army and its efforts to defeat terrorism.

In late August, the Iraqi Prime Minister, Mohammed Shia Al-Sudani, and the French President, Emmanuel Macron, discussed in a phone call the preparations for the Baghdad Conference 2023, which will be held in the Iraqi capital, Baghdad.

The two leaders also talked about contracts to purchase radar systems from the French company Thales, which will enable Iraq to tighten its control over Iraqi airspace and preserve the country’s sovereignty.