Operating an Abrams requires proper training, hence IS fighters that captured a couple of Abrams blew them up as they cannot operate them. These Abrams were operated by army personnel sometimes as part of PMU led operations who requested tank support.
Plan was to establish a link to the Ibrahim Khalil border crossing with Turkey. Suddenly the offensive stopped, everything went silent. Meanwhile we see continuing US transport operations from the KRG to the YPG through the border crossing Iraq wanted to take from the KRG, the US won't permit to...
Kurds being Kurds!
Until they are taught a lesson they behave like this.
It was an ultimatum by the US. The US is still using the KRG as entry point to the YPG, US won't let Iraq take that border crossing.
You cannot isolate the PKK problem. KRG/North Iraq impacts the ability of the PKK in Turkey and Syria, it's America's entry point for arms to the YPG as well.
To solve this you need joint operations. Iran does nothing, Iraq cannot do on its own as USA won't allow, Syrian gov forces cannot do...
I'm not even talking about heavy industries such as the automotive or anything that requires expertise Iraq does not posess. I am even speaking of simple goods such as food that is being imported such as tomatoes. Building everything locally is not achieveable, though they're spending a lot of...
Iraq's local industries are not being activated and are instead importing goods from Iran that they could locally produce. Importing Turkish goods is not good either, there has to be local production.
Local industries have been killed to continue importing basic items from neighbors, this...
It's because Iraq's most convenient option for construction is Turkey given its geographic location. That means this $5 billion will not only go back in the pockets of Turkish companies but push for it, enable further opportunities over the years/decade and given that Iraq is quite wealthy and...