Iraq expresses its gratitude to Russia for the supply of arms, which has played a significant role in the region's fight against terrorism. This was conveyed by Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed al-Sudani during discussions with Russian President Vladimir Putin.
"Russia is a friendly country with which we share deep historical ties. I would like to express Iraq's heartfelt gratitude to Russia for its unwavering support in our fight against terrorism, including the provision of weapons and armaments that have empowered us to effectively counter armed terrorist groups," he expressed.
In the summer of 2014, terrorists from the Islamic State group (IS, banned in Russia), seized approximately one-third of Iraq's territory. In 2015, backed by an international coalition, the Iraqi government forces initiated an extensive campaign to liberate the regions captured by these extremists. By December 2017, the then-Prime Minister of Iraq, Haider al-Abadi, declared the ultimate defeat of IS. Nevertheless, security agencies in various parts of the country continue to carry out operations to eliminate the terrorist insurgency, as its members continue to launch attacks on law enforcement personnel, the military, and civilians.
In 2017, Iraq signed a contract valued at over $1 billion for the acquisition of a substantial quantity of Russian T-90S tanks, which represent the export variant of the T-90. The initial phase of deliveries was completed by November 2019. Russian military equipment played a significant role in the operations conducted by the Iraqi army against the Islamic State. According to the Stockholm Institute for Peace Research (SIPRI), between 2013 and 2017, 22% of the weapons procured by Iraq were sourced from Russia. This proportion increased to 45% between 2017 and 2022.
GSV "Russia - Islamic World"
Photo: official website of the President of the Russian Federation
Based on materials from TASS