US delays delivery of F-16s to Iraq
Iran Press TV
Thu Jul 3, 2014 1:13PM GMT
The United States has delayed the planned delivery of F-16 fighter jets to Iraq, blaming the deterioration of security situation in the country.
Marie Harf, deputy spokesperson for the US State Department, said the US was "committed to delivering F-16 aircraft as soon as possible" but added that the delivery process had been stalled as the Iraqi government was slow in finishing some preparations including "housing and securing the aircraft, completion of pilot training, and completion of required financial and administrative details."
Over the past weeks, militants from the so-called Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) -- a radical al-Qaeda offshoot that enjoys support from loyalists of Iraq's former Baathist regime-- have been wreaking havoc in Iraq.
ISIL has captured large swaths of Iraqi territory after seizing the city of Mosul on June 10.
The US delivery of 36 F-16 jets, already purchased by Baghdad, was scheduled prior to the ISIL offensive. However, the aircraft are not expected to be in service until the fall of this year as US contractors who must train the Iraqi air force have been evacuated.
Iraqi officials have accused the US of stalling the delivery--worth $4.2 billion—since Baghdad has received Sukhoi fighter jets from Russia.
The United States, meanwhile, is beefing up its military presence in Iraq by deploying troops, attack helicopters and drones to help Baghdad confront the brutal militancy.
The US considers selling 4,000 additional Hellfire missiles to Iraq, officials said on Monday.
The Obama administration has so far deployed 500 troops to Baghdad to increase security for its embassy there.
On Monday, President Barack Obama also ordered 200 additional troops to the Iraqi capital to protect American diplomats as well as other personnel working in the city.
HRJ/HRJ
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