Al-Monitor about Turkish weapons in Iraq... Hopes are faltering

[size=52]Al-Monitor about Turkish weapons in Iraq... Hopes are faltering[/size]

[size=45]Yesterday, the US Al-Monitor website reported that Iraqi attempts to buy weapons from Turkey are facing stumbling blocks, including Baghdad's attempt to obtain Turkish concessions on the water and "fighting terrorism" issues, which Ankara does not respond to, in addition to the US position represented in its sanctions. on Turkey.[/size]
[size=45]As for Turkey, the "Al-Monitor" report, translated by Shafak News Agency, said that it was exciting that Iraq, which is often besieged between the United States and Iran, sought to resort to Ankara to obtain the weapons it needs to fight ISIS and enhance its defensive capabilities at a time. Washington is preparing to end its combat mission in Iraq.[/size]
[size=45]The report pointed out that Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan was keen to promote military sales to foreign buyers, but his foreign policy often hampered his ambitions, adding that international interest in the Turkish military industry has increased since the Azerbaijani-Armenian war on Nagorno-Karabakh last year. The Turkish "Bayraktar TB2" drones were the basis for Azerbaijan's military success in the war.[/size]
[size=45]The report stated that Iraq had recently expressed its interest in purchasing TB2 drones and attack helicopters from Turkey, noting that the Iraqi Defense Minister Jumaa Inad announced in late August that his country had reached a preliminary understanding with Ankara to buy an unspecified number of These drones, and placed orders for 12 T-129 ATAK helicopters, and six Coral electronic warfare systems. The Iraqi minister was speaking after his meeting with his Turkish counterpart Hulusi Akar at an international exhibition of the military industry in Istanbul. Al-Monitor quoted a Turkish source familiar with the talks as saying that the Iraqis initially showed their interest in buying Turkish weapons during Minister Akar’s visit to Baghdad last January, but in the meetings that took place later, they presented other files to the negotiating table.[/size]
[size=45]The report pointed to Iraq's dissatisfaction with the expansion of Turkish military operations across the border against the Kurdistan Workers' Party, which has taken refuge in the mountains of Kurdistan across the border, and that although Turkey's pursuit of the PKK across the border is not new, it has recently expanded beyond the PKK camps along the border. , to reach Sinjar and Makhmour.[/size]
[size=45]He added that despite Iraq's protests against Turkish military operations, it is fully aware that it cannot influence Ankara on this issue and has not raised it as a condition.[/size]
[size=45]Al-Monitor believed that any concessions by Turkey on the water issue, amid the water shortage in Iraq and its military presence in Bashiqa, would mean many important points for Baghdad in domestic politics.[/size]
[size=45]The report pointed out that although the possibility of Turkey's withdrawal from Bashiqa could not be ruled out, Ankara refused to make its efforts to combat terrorism a matter of bargaining, adding that Turkey was also reluctant to pledge the amount of water flowing into Iraq, recalling that Ankara had been arguing for a long time. The water shortage in Iraq is linked to the country's dilapidated irrigation system, in addition to poor water management and declining rainfall.[/size]
[size=45]But under the 1987 protocol relating to the Euphrates River with Syria, Turkey is required to allow at least 500 cubic meters per second of water to flow into Syria, but it has not committed to any commitment to Iraq on the Tigris. Turkey contributes only 40% to the flow of the Tigris River, while Iraq contributes 51% and Iran 9%.[/size]
[size=45]In response to a question about the reasons related to the Iraqi government’s decision to choose Turkish weapons, Al-Monitor quoted the informed source as saying that what the TB2 drones provided in the Nagorno-Karabakh region played an important role in the Iraqi decision, which was also linked to Iraqi hopes of obtaining weapons. On concessions on contentious issues with Turkey.[/size]
[size=45]The source added that Iraq is looking for alternative suppliers to reduce its dependence on US weapons and munitions, especially after the "problems it faced in modernizing its US F-16 aircraft."[/size]
[size=45]The report pointed out that Russia, China and Iran have emerged as other alternative suppliers, but the informed source "expressed his astonishment because the Russians did not make an effort to make a strong push to add a military dimension to their relations with Iraq."[/size]
[size=45]He continued, "The Nagorno-Karabakh war put the Turkish weapon option at the forefront," adding that "Iraq's needs are largely focused on systems and ammunition for use in the fight against terrorism, and what Turkey can offer in this regard seems reasonable to them."[/size]
[size=45]The source said, "There has been no specific reaction from Washington so far," but he stressed that "the American influence will certainly affect Iraq's final decision regarding military purchases," adding, "They are not in a position to twist America's arm." The report suggested that "Washington is concerned about the risk of Shiite militias linked to Iran acquiring armed drone technologies."[/size]
[size=45]He added that "the Turkish military industry is facing serious consequences due to political crises with Washington, including US sanctions over Turkey's purchase of the Russian S-400 air defense systems."[/size]
[size=45]Among the Turkish military deals facing the repercussions of US sanctions, the report referred, for example, to “a $1.5 billion contract with Pakistan to purchase 30 Turkish military helicopters, which was signed in 2018 as the largest Turkish arms sale deal,” noting that “Turkey It failed to deliver the helicopters due to Washington's refusal to grant export licenses for US technologies used in the manufacture of warplanes, including the engine, and while Pakistan agreed to accept another extension of the delivery date in March, Islamabad may reach the stage of reconsidering its offer. To buy attack helicopters from China.[/size]
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