7.14.2015 one fifteen
Long-Presse / Baghdad
The United States announced on Tuesday that the security situation still does not allow the transfer of aircraft the (F-16) to Iraq, as showed that the decision delivered not return to Washington but to Baghdad to strengthen its fleet, said it will continue to provide advice and assistance to the Iraqis in this area.
Said State Department spokesman John Kirby during a press briefing today that "the security situation on the ground in Iraq is still not allowed to move the aircraft the (F-16) to there and delivered was not a decision of the United States for the lack of security conditions after to implement that," noting It's "aircraft owned by the Iraqi government, which is brought from asked to join within the Iraqi air force squadron, and that the United States will continue to provide advice and assistance in this area."
Kirby added that "the United States remains concerned about the security situation on the ground in Iraq," adding that "the United States is not concerned only the aircraft but also to any other military equipment that could be damaged or that obsessed them (Daash)."
Kirby continued, saying that "Daash organization does not have an air force, and has no possibility or ability to lead the advanced fighter aircraft."
Kirby and the "It's an Iraqi aircraft, and if used in combat missions over the skies of Iraq, the Iraqi pilots who will do it," noting that "the aircraft used by the Iraqi government to defend the security of Iraq and against the organization Daash which the plane was designed for him."
The Ministry of Defense announced that, on Monday, the arrival of the F-16 aircraft to Balad Air Base, north of Baghdad.
It is noteworthy that Iraq has signed an agreement with Washington to buy 36 fighter model F-16 aircraft, and the Iraqi government announced in the (September 2011), for the payment of the first installment of the purchase price paid for the purchase of 18 fighter of this type, while confirming the Ministry of Defense, in (3 July 2012), the desire of the Iraqi government to increase the number of these aircraft in the "near future" to protect Iraqi airspace.
The aircraft (F-16) produced by General Dynamics group, which the US, and exported to about 20 countries, is the most widely used fighter in the world.
And come within this armament deal signed between Baghdad and Washington at the end of November 2008, which provides for the training and equipping of Iraqi forces, the security agreement.
The United States Peshmerga forces have helped, through a series of air strikes targeted positions militants organization (Daash) in the campaign said by the United States that it will help prevent a genocide of hundreds of thousands of people who fled their homes to escape the threat of militants (Daash).
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