US MILITARY AID TO IRAQ WORTH MORE THAN TWO BILLION DOLLARS

Baghdad, 26 Rabi’ul Awwal 1436/16 January 2015 (MINA) – The United States has announced that it is providing military aid worth $2.1 billion to the coalition of 12 countries training the Iraqi security forces.

“There are 12 states that provide training to the Iraqi security forces at several sites in Iraq, in addition to the participation of eight countries in the air strikes launched by the international coalition against ISIS.,” said President Obama’s special envoy to the International Coalition fighting the Islamic State, John Allen, during a press conference held at the US embassy in Baghdad.

He added that last year, the US administration provided $500 million in military aid and ammunition to Iraq, and that it has allocated $1.6 billion to equip its forces, Middle East Monitor (MEMO) quoted by Mi’raj Islamic News Agency (MINA) as reporting.

Allen explained that Iraq is not the only party responsible for defeating ISIS, but that the entire world should bear the burden because ISIS represents a global threat.

However, he stated that the US administration will not arm Iraqi tribes directly but by providing funding and arms to the Iraqi Ministry of Defence.

According to Allen, the US strategy for supporting Iraq against ISIS will be under constant review in order to support changing conditions on the ground.

Iraqi army forces have been locked in fierce battles against ISIS militants in the West and North of the country in an attempt to regain military control over such areas.

A Western-Arabic coalition, led by the US, is currently launching air strikes on sites controlled by ISIS, which controls large swathes of territory in both Iraq and Syria.

Last June, ISIS announced the establishment of what it called the “Islamic State” or “Caliphate”, which has become notorious for beheading hostages and committing bloody attacks against minorities. (T/P002/P3)

Mi’raj Islamic News Agency (MINA)