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Defence & Security News - Iraq
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| Peshmerga receive new equipment before Mosul offensive | |||
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Kurdish Peshmerga fighters receive new weapons and equipment before a major operation to free Mosul from the Islamic State. The US and allied countries have been delivering APCs and large quantities of anti-tank weapons, mortars, ammunition and other equipment, to increase their combat capabilities.
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 A US soldier trains Iraqi counterparts in combat tactics (Photo: US Army) |
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According to Stars and Stripes, the Peshmerga have long asked and waited for the new equipment. Many of the weapons in their inventory had been seized from the jihadists after driving them away from occupied areas. Brigadier General John E. Novalis II, deputy commander of the 101st Airborne Division in Iraq said at Stars and Stripes: “We have decided to give them about two U.S. Army brigades-worth of equipment – heavier stuff.” Along with the delivery of the new equipment, which is already taking place for many months now, Peshmerga units will be trained in their use. Coalition forces have been undertaking this role concurrently and based on the official statements the results have been positive. US military officials said that the Peshmerga would receive 150 vehicles, 40 MRAPs of which 15 with mine-rollers, 55,000 anti-tank rounds, 1,000 AT-4 anti-tank rockets, 5,000 anti-tank missiles, 45,000 rifles and machine guns, 700 mortar tubes, 80,000 mortar rounds, 3,600 gas masks and 56 million rounds. The decision to arm the Kurds has not been welcomed by the Iraqi government, which considers that these would be later used to create an independent Kurdish state. On the other hand, the Kurdish fighters have been complaining that the Iraqi government has been delaying the deliveries of allied equipment, resulting in operational deficiencies. |
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