Iraq urges US to explain delay in F-16 jets delivery

The Iraqi parliament has demanded explanation from the United States over a delay in the delivery of its F-16 fighter jets to Baghdad.

A member of the Iraqi parliament’s Security and Defense Committee said on Wednesday that Iraq would ask the US to explain the delay in the delivery of F-16 fighter jets, which Baghdad had planned to use against ISIL Takfiri militants.

Iskandar Watout said, “Iraq is suffering heavy losses in clashes with Daesh [ISIL] militants, while America keeps postponing the delivery of F-16 planes.”

“Our government should stop buying warplanes and equipment from just one source,” Watout added.

Contracts to arm and train Iraqi security forces were signed within the framework of a strategic partnership agreement between Iraq and the US back in 2008.

Parliament’s Security and Defense Committee Chairman Hakim al-Zamili has also threatened the Pentagon with international litigation in order to secure the return of the money Baghdad paid for US arms deliveries.