Russian Night Hunters Join Fight Against ISIL in Iraq
A consignment of four Russian Mil Mi-28NE Night Hunter helicopters has been delivered to Iraq for deployment in the war-wrecked country’s battle against the ISIL Takfiri terrorists.
A source in the Russian defense sector said on Monday, “An Antonov An-124 plane airlifted four Night Hunter helicopters to Iraq on Sunday.”
The first Mil Mi-28NE delivery to Iraq was made in the fall of 2014. Iraq and Russia signed a deal for over 40 Mil Mi-35 and Mi-28NE helicopters in 2013.
Commenting on the second delivery, Iraqi Air Force Commander Lieutenant General Hamid al-Maliki said it has “beefed up” the Iraqi Air Force allowing them to “reach into the hinterland of the enemy.”
The ISIL Takfiri terrorists all communities in Syria and Iraq, as they continue their atrocities in Iraq.
Iraq could use the aircraft in the country’s north, where ISIL runs rampant and weather and terrain conditions come in the way of anti-terrorist operations.
Baghdad has, meanwhile, accused the United States of not living up to its promises of equipping the Iraqi army with pledged military aid.
Mass grave with 25 bodies discovered in NW Iraq
On the other hand, fighters in Iraq have discovered a mass grave containing the remains of about 25 members of the Izadi community murdered by ISIL terrorists in the northwestern part of the country.
Local official Myaser Haji Saleh said on Monday that the Peshmerga forces found the mass grave on Sunday as it was filled with the remains of “men, children and women… who were killed by” the extremist group.
According to Peshmerga fighters, the grave located near the town of Sinune, was found during a search for explosives that the ISIL often leaves behind.
“Our forces were searching for explosives and mines planted by (ISIL) in the area and found the grave during the search,” an unnamed Peshmerga lieutenant colonel said.
He added that the Takfiri militants had shot dead some of the victims and “slaughtered” others by knives.
The ISIL terror group started its campaign of terror in Iraq in early June 2014. The heavily-armed militants took control of the city of Mosul before sweeping through parts of the country’s Arab heartland.
The Iraqi army, backed by pro-government tribes, volunteers and Kurdish Peshmerga forces, has so far managed to make significant gains in the fight against the terrorists. However, important territory, including three major cities, is still in the hands of the militants.
In early January, five mass graves were found in northern Iraq, which contained some 320 bodies belonging to ISIL victims.
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